St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

The St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Capital Hill is part of the Presbytery of Canberra and the Presbyterian Church of Australia. The first Presbyterian service on the Limestone Plains was conducted in June 1938 by the Rev William Hamilton from Goulburn. When public servants were being transferred from Melbourne to develop the national capital, services where held in the home of Mr H M Rolland, Chief Architect of the Federal Capital Commission, later in the Acton Hall, and then at the Friendly Societies'. The church site was granted in 1926. The first building was a church hall, now known as Shakespeare Hall, Braddon, formerly the St Columba's Presbyterian Church Hall, built in 1927. A decision was made to erect a substantial church building, worthy of the national capital. As this would require substantial funds, the task of raising the funds was given to the Very Rev John Walker, who was inducted as the first minister. He toured Australia as a Commissioner of the General Assembly to raise funds for a national church. He was a successful fund raiser and work commenced in 1930. However, in 1933 the situation became difficult due to the Great Depression and promised funds were not forthcoming. As a resul, only half of the original design of the church building, comprising the apse, transept, tower and spire, was built. This part was completed in 1934 and opened by the Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs on 22/9/1934. It remained unfurnished for some considerable time. The foundation stone for the War Memorial Church Hall was laid in March 1954 and the main portion of the hall was opened on 19/9/1955. Further additions were made to the complex and these were opened on 19/8/1962. When the church was opened in 1934, a temporary wooden wall was erected within the nave arch so that the church could be completed at a later date. A modified plan to complete was proposed in 1969, but by this time, arrangements for the establishment of the Uniting Church were being advanced, with donations to complete being held back until a decision by the congregation. When St Andrew's decided not to join the Uniting Church, completion plans  were renewed. However, by this time completion costs had escalated significantly. A modified plan was finally adopted and the building completed. The Peace Memorial Nave was opened by the Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen, on 22/9/1979. Over the years since the church was formed, other buildings have been added/completed along the way to meet the needs of the congregation. In 2024 the church celebrated its ninetieth anniversary. More historical information/photographs of the church/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 8/4/2018 5/11/2025.

(The Sun, Sydney - 23 September 1934)  "NEW CHURCH NATIONAL CENTRE ST. ANDREW'S OPENED AT CANBERRA (From Our Special Representative) CANBERRA, Saturday. Destined to be the fountain-head of the Presbyterian Church in Australia, St. Andrew's Church was to-night officially opened by the Governor-General, Sir Isaac Isaacs".

For more of the Church story see - https://www.architecture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/st-andrews-presbyterian-church-precinct.pdf