History Of Our Church

"St. John's collapsed about midnight, but the noise of the wind and trees drowned the noise of falling timber and iron.  In the rectory all that was heard was a double toll of the bell.  It proved to be the death- knell of the old church."  So reported the Northern Churchman of the destruction of the old church in the cyclone of 2nd February 1920.  

From that event grew the present St. John The Evangelist church building on its present site.  A history of the parish is outlined here.

At 3.30 pm on Sunday 27th June 1926 the Lord Bishop of North Queensland laid the foundation stone of the present church. The new church was dedicated on Sunday, 23rd January 1927.  "During the service a dove, which had found its way into the church, was seen to hover high up amongst the rafters".  "It might be noted that the dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.  It was remarked by Archdeacon Cussen that perhaps the dove at the dedication was the symbol of God's blessing on this work, and the assurance of the strength of his Holy Spirit on all those who labour for Him in this church, parish and city".

The present Church of St. John The Evangelist has many historic and beautiful items of furniture and decoration dedicated to the Glory of God.

• The high altar, made in Italy of pure marble,was installed in 1928.   

• The cedar reredos and the panelling behind the high altar was dedicated on 27th November 1949.  The three stained glass windows above the reredos were dedicated in 1951. The centre window above the high altar is of the Christus Rex, while the windows on either side depict the Angels of God.  They were manufactured by the Melbourne firm Brooks Robinson Pty. Ltd.

• In 1968 the old wooden vestries were destroyed by fire.  Those built to replace them are from the original design.

• The cross on the high altar is made of brass and is approximately 82cm high.  It was purchased from Whippell's for the old church and was dedicated in 1902.

• The hexagonal pulpit was constructed in the 1960's by Mr. Herbert Prince, a local craftsman.  There are wooden plaques on three sides, each displaying a carving of hands.  The carving in the centre depicts hands holding the host; on the left hands are held as in prayer; and on the right a hand is held as in blessing.

• The carvings were completed by the late Mr. Stan Moses of Atherton.

• St. John's has a magnificent lectern of brass which features a rising eagle which is joined to a convex plinth by a cable roll column.  It was dedicated in 1911.

• There are two fonts.  One is a large octagonal shaped stone font supported by four stone columns.  It was dedicated in 1920.  There is also a smaller, moveable font.  The front displays the Holy Spirit as a dove descending upon candidates for baptism.  It was dedicated in 1984 to the late Mrs. O'Meara.

Acknowledgement:  All of the above information is from "A History of St. John's Anglican Church - Cairns. Qld.".  Edited by Glenn F. Ross.  M.A., Ph.D., Th. L.

Today the church is a sought after venue for concerts, both by local and overseas visiting performers, because of the its excellent acoustics.

The Lord is the source of my light and my safety, so whom shall I fear?  Psalm 26, v. 1