Archives and Heritage
“Open Church, Open House’ Program”
Tours resumed Wednesday February 21st, 2024
Hear the stories of the history of Canberra, enjoy the organ, chat with the organist, singalong if you wish, listen to voices from the stained glass windows, discover the secrets of the Memorial Chapel in one of Canberra’s oldest buildings.
View the Ninety year old sandstone clad neo-gothic Church of St Andrew on State Circle and the “Living Stones” Exhibition In the Georgian Manse. Try your hand at bell ringing too.
Further information – Call-Ann 0438 438 898 or David 0402 215 303
Weekly Booked Wednesday morning Heritage Tours and Exhibition.
The Church at the heart of the nation, with the nation in its heart”.
Come and hear the voices from the beautiful stained glass windows.- Listen to the organ and sing-a-long if you wish.
- Find the secrets of the Warriors chapel.
- Ring the bells.
- Visit the “Living Stones” Exhibition to examine the stories of the pioneer families of the Church in the Georgian old Manse, St Andrew’s House.
- View the old preaching robe of the Very Rev. John Flynn founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
This beautiful neo-gothic sandstone church and the adjoining Georgian brick manse known as St Andrew’s House are heritage listed. They are open to the public for weekly guided tours for ACT groups such as Senior friendship groups, Probus groups, historical groups, English as a second language groups, Independent people and Aged Care facilities.
The tours are conducted on Wednesdays February-July & September-December from 10.30am to 12.15pm
To book your Heritage guided Tour
Please ring:
Ann – (02) 6281-2436, or David – 0402 215 303 alternatively email heritage.tours@standrewscanberra.com or the Church office on (02)6295 3457
The Church of St Andrew is a prominent landmark in Canberra, situated on State Circle directly opposite Parliament House.
It was built as the National Presbyterian Cathedral Church and was opened in 1934.
The “Living Stones” exhibition was made possible when the Church was awarded a Heritage Grant from the ACT Government.
The first Open Church, Open House Heritage Tour was held during Canberra’s annual Heritage Festival in April 2016.
The “Living Stones” Exhibition highlights the history of the Church and the lives of some of the Church’s pioneers who were also instrumental in the development of Canberra. The Archives and Heritage Committee of St Andrew’s decided to honour these early settlers in the region by establishing a permanent exhibition with a focus on their role in the development of our Capital City. For over eighty years the Church has had members from all walks of life, including Governors-General, Prime Ministers, judges, public servants, teachers, scientists, market gardeners, tradesmen, shopkeepers and their families.
In 1927 the General Assembly of Australia appointed the Very. Rev. John Walker to be the first Presbyterian Minister of Canberra and commissioned him to establish with nationwide Presbyterian support a national Presbyterian Cathedral Church which was opened by the then Governor-General , Sir Isaac Isaacs in 1934.
The“Open Church, Open House” Heritage Tours are held regularly on Wednesday mornings, and visitors to Canberra are invited to contact the co-ordinators.These tours are an opportunity to consider key aspects of our Christian faith. They are of particular interest to those who wish to learn something of the history of the Presbyterian Church and development of Canberra and those concerned with architecture, design and stained glass windows. Students studying Society, Culture and Religious Studies would also gain much from this program .
Please ring us to let us know when you are coming:
Ann – 6281-2436, David – 0402 215 303, alternatively email heritage.tours@standrewscanberra.com or the Church office on (02)6295 3457
