History of the buildings

In 1953 the new Canberra North Parish led by the Revd Ted Buckle was formed consisting of Turner, O'Connor and Ainslie. The independent parochial district of St Philip's Turner, O'Connor and Lyneham was launched in 1960. Bishop Clements declared St Philip's to be a parish at the service dedicating the church building, in 1961.

Click photos to see much larger versions and catch the detail.

The church hall

In June 1955 plans were prepared by architects Hocking and Warren for a church and hall at the present site in Macpherson St O'Connor. The Rt Revd Ernest Burgmann, Bishop, laid the foundation stone of the Church Hall in May 1957.

Bishop Burgmann, Ted Buckle at the laying of the foundation stone.

Clergy: Gordon Arthur, Ted Buckle and Bishop Burgmann; laymen: David Reid (front), Fred Pooler(?).

St Philip's O'Connor 1957 CEBS include Bob Arthur (?maybe not), Geoffrey Young (far right?)

The hall in the late 1950s

Many thanks to Dave Pfister who sent this photo that he took as a young boy.

The church building

Initially a church-in-the-round was proposed. This gave way to the present A-frame, designed gratis by Mr John Goldsmith, a parishioner of St John's and Head of the Architects' Division of the National Capital Development Commission, and built by Mr J. Larko. The building is an outstanding example of the 1950s A-frame architectural style.

On 25th May 1958, the Governor-General, Sir William Slim, unveiled the plaque at the foot of the Cross in the courtyard to commemorate the start to the building of the Church and the opening of the new church hall.

The Church building was dedicated by the Rt Rev Bishop Kenneth Clements, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn in 1961 and consecrated by the Rt Rev Bishop Cecil Warren, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn on 28 November 1981.

Photos of the building of the church 1960.

Many thanks to Rev'd Robert Willson (Rector 1979-85) for these photos.

Here Bishop Cecil Warren is seen here after the consecration of the building on 28 November 1981, talking with Miss Rona Blanchard, parishioner and headmistress of Turner Infants School.

Junior Anglicans, 1960

When rector, Rev'd Cecil Warren surrounded by the Junior Anglicans in 1960. The children in the photo above would now be around sixty. If you recognise anyone could you please email the webkeeper? She suspects the older girl behind the JAGS banner might be Anne Townley. …