The Anglican Church of St Philip's O'Connor, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Services on Sunday: Holy Communion 8am and 10am. Wednesday 10am
Priest: (the Rev'd) Rebecca Newland
Ph 6161 7334, Fax 6161 7322,
e-mail stphil@grapevine.com.au
PO Box 6022 O'Connor 2602
Wardens: Ruth McGormann Mann, Denise Manley and Roger Sharp
Our Vision is to be a caring community
which embraces and honours difference
and offers a place to celebrate and grow spiritually.
Historical photos. Bishop Burgmann, Ted Buckle at the laying of the foundation stone. The building going up in 1960 and at the consecration by Bishop Warren (first rector and later diocesan bishop.) At history photos
In 1953 the new Canberra North Parish under the Rev 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. In June 1955 plans were prepared by architects Hocking and Warren for a church and hall at a site in Macpherson St O'Connor. Initial proposals for a church in-the-round gave way to the present A-frame style.
The Church was dedicated by the Rt Rev Bishop Kenneth Clements of Canberra and Goulburn in 1961 and consecrated by the Rt Rev Bishop Cecil Warren on the 28th November 1981.
St Philip's has been associated with many well known and loved Anglican clergy. Bishop Burgmann laid the foundation stone of the Church Hall in May 1957. The Rev Cecil Warren (later Bishop) was the first Rector (1960-63). Bishop Gordon Arthur was also a rector of St Philip's.
Listing of Rectors of the Parish:
The church's beautiful kneelers have Biblical motifs. They were made by a working bee of over 90 parishioners during the incumbency of Bishop Arthur in the 1970s. The motifs on the kneelers were taken from a number of set patterns but parishioners also provided designs of their own.
These kneelers now feature in some of the "calendars" of this web site.
2005 Advent Calendar
2005 Lenten Calendar
2004 Advent Calendar
The Window of Creation at the entrance of the church is by Georgina Whiley, a graduate student from the Canberra School of Art. The image represents the earth, with human figures symbolising the elements of fire, water, air and love in a dance of creation. Its symbolic use with the four elements echoes the theme of the banners in the space above the church nave. The figures depicted are from Aboriginal, Asian and European ethnic groups which represent our multicultural society. Each figure contributes a gift of love to the earth. The aboriginal woman brings her gift of the rainbow.
Georgina Whiley was assisted in this project by the Rev David Oliphant and Pthalo Price.
The window is dedicated to Dr Rebecca Palmer who died in 1996. She was a well known and loved Canberra veterinary doctor and the wife of the Rev Oliphant.
Elements of the Spirit
The banners were designed and created by Marlene Greenwood who was assisted by Leonie Kelly.
The banners were conceived as a series of five silk painted panels designed to enhance the architectural setting of the church. They represent the four elements of fire, water, earth and air. The fifth panel nearest the Altar represents love in the form of the Holy Spirit. Colour and rhythm are used as elements of the design to create a flow from one section to the next.
The panels were completed in April 1998 by a Parish sewing group and dedicted to the memory of Dr Rebecca Palmer on 10 May 1998.
The Hazel Shakespeare courtyard is a peaceful and green retreat, used often during the better Canberra weather for morning tea and other functions.
On the 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 two Jarrah seats were donated by the Church Women's Union.
old photos (history):
http://www.stphilipsoconnor.org.au/photos/photo_display_126web.jpg Historical photos. Bishop Burgmann, Ted Buckle at the laying of the foundation stone. Larger photo at: http://www.stphilipsoconnor.org.au/photos/photo_display_126.jpg
Laying of the Foundation stone. St Philip's O'Connor 1957 CEBS include Bob Arthur (?maybe not), Geoffrey Young (far right?), Clergy: Gordon Arthur, Ted Buckle and Bp Burgmann; laymen: David Reid (front), Fred Pooler(?)
The site was first published on July 28th 2003.
This web site is designed and maintained by Linda Anchell. Write to: lindafrd@pcug.org.au
Index page for the site www.stphilipsoconnor.org.au/
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