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Fortitude Valley Methodist Church and Hall are a heritage-listed former church and its hall (the second church on the site) at 116-120 Brookes Street, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The first church (and later hall) was designed by James Cowlishaw and built from 1870 to 1871 by Thomas Reading. The third church was designed by George Simkin and built from 1887 to 1888 by Blair Cunningham. They are also known as Fortitude Valley Wesleyan Church & Church Hall, Gregory Place, Gregory Hall, and Epworth Centre. They were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. == History == The former Fortitude Valley Wesleyan Church and Church Hall were erected in 1887-88 and 1870-71 respectively, on a site in Ann Street granted to the Wesleyan Church by the Crown in 1861. The site fronted what was then known as the Eagle Farm Road (later Ann Street), and included allotments for a church, school and parsonage.〔 The first Fortitude Valley Wesleyan Church had been erected on another site in Ann Street in 1856. At that time, Fortitude Valley was part of the Brisbane Circuit.〔 In 1867, the Brisbane Circuit was divided into two: the Valley and Albert Street. The new Valley Circuit was a large one, embracing Eagle Farm, Nundah and Sandgate, and was centred on the small Ann Street church.〔 In 1870-71, a larger church, which could seat 400 persons, was built on the 1861 land grant, fronting Ann Street. It was the first church to be erected in the new Valley Circuit. The foundation stone was laid on 31 October 1870, and the opening service was held on 26 March 1871. It was designed by Brisbane architect James Cowlishaw and erected by contractor Thomas Reading at a cost of approximately £1,050. At the time, the brick building with its slate roof was one of the most substantial churches in Brisbane.〔 Also in 1871, a small timber parsonage was constructed at the rear of the church. This building was replaced in 1885 by a larger parsonage, Epworth, at 53 Brookes Street. The original parsonage is no longer extant.〔 In the 1880s, the Valley developed as a major retail and residential centre, and Brisbane's northern suburbs expanded as the large estates of the 1860s and 1870s were subdivided. The Valley Wesleyan congregation expanded also, and the decision was taken in 1886 to erect a larger church adjacent to the 1870-71 building, but facing Brookes Street, on the same land grant. The new church was designed by Brisbane architect George Simkin in 1887 and constructed by contractor Blair Cunningham in 1887-88. The final cost of the building, including furniture and fittings, was £4,941. The foundation stone was laid on 20 August 1887, and the opening service was held on 13 January 1889.〔 The stained glass windows were imported from Munich. The organ, now removed, was commenced in Brisbane by Edward Wauldron in 1887 and completed by Thomas Christmas in 1889. Christmas, who arrived in Brisbane from Melbourne in 1877, was a musical instrument dealer and piano and organ builder, and is credited with having constructed most of the locally-made organs in Queensland by 1888.〔 The vestries were part of in the initial design, but appear to have been added at a later date. The glass windows in these rooms were supplied by Exton & Gough of Brisbane.〔 After the new church was built, the old church was used as the church hall.〔 The new Valley Wesleyan Church enhanced the status of Methodism in Brisbane. For a short time prior to the new Albert Street Wesleyan Church (Albert Street Uniting Church), erected in 1888-89, gaining prominence, the new Valley church was the leading Wesleyan church in the city.〔 The Valley Wesleyan Church has been described as a "Mother of Churches". From here, many Northern Brisbane suburban churches were opened, from Windsor to North Pine and Sandgate, which ultimately became centres of new circuits.〔 Following the 1898 unification of Queensland's various Methodist groups - Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, Bible Christians, and United Free Methodists - the Brookes Street church became known as the Fortitude Valley Methodist Church.〔 Following the establishment of the Uniting Church in 1977, the Fortitude Valley Methodist Church and Church Hall were closed, with the final service, revoking their status as sacred buildings, conducted on 27 February 1977. The secular buildings were renamed the Epworth Centre; the former church was leased to the TN! Theatre Company to use for performances with the Valley Child Care Centre operating from the hall. In 1985 the buildings were sold to the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia Queensland Incorporated, and renamed Gregory Place and Gregory Hall, in honour of former Queensland explorer and surveyor-general, Sir Augustus Charles Gregory. Both buildings were refurbished as offices, with the headquarters of the Royal Geographical Society located in the 1871 building (Gregory Hall).〔 Later, the Royal Geographical Society relocated to Milton. In 2015, the church is occupied by a furniture company.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.innerspace.net.au/contact.asp )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Fortitude Valley Methodist Church」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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