Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton

About

Christ Church Cathedral is a heritage-listed Anglican cathedral complex at Duke Street, Grafton, Clarence Valley Council, New South Wales, Australia. The cathedral was designed by John Horbury Hunt and built from 1874 to 1884 by Reynold Brothers (brickwork) and G. J. T. Lawson (woodwork). It is also known as Cathedral Church of Christ the King and Grafton Anglican Cathedral. The property is owned by the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 14 March 2003.

Bishop James Francis Turner, the Bishop of Grafton and Armidale had designs prepared by the firm Carpenter And Slater, but this was abandoned and he commissioned architect John Horbury Hunt to prepare alternative designs.

Hunt began designing the Cathedral Church of Christ the King, or Christ Church Cathedral as early as 1870. However, when Turner raised the matter, the congregation at Grafton rejected the plans because of the cost involved.

In June 1874 Bishop Turner spread the mortar for the foundation stone and Hunt lowered and placed it in position. The foundation stone was laid on a cleared part of the Victoria and Duke Street site. It was not until 1878 when the Rev. Charles Capel Greenway became Archdeacon of Grafton that fundraising for the building began in earnest. Greenway was the son of colonial architect Francis Greenway. The time of the cathedral's construction, 1874–84, was a boom time for the development of Grafton city.

In May 1879 Hunt was commissioned to prepare detailed designs for the superstructure. Concrete foundations were laid for four bays of the nave, the chancel, a side chapel and the north and south vestry transepts, in 1880.

Embedded in the foundations were large sandstone blocks brought from Eatonville, New South Wales. In June 1881 contracts were let between the Diocese and G. J. T. Lawson (for the woodwork) and Messrs Reynold Bros (for the brickwork) for the erection of the first portion of the cathedral comprising the brick walls, roof, sanctuary and first four bays of the nave. The gothic inspired building was constructed from half a million pink sandstock bricks manufactured locally by Mr Samuel George. Richard Palmer, from Grafton, supplied over 100 brick moulds to Mr George.

The first stage of the cathedral was opened and dedicated by Archbishop of Sydney Alfred Barry on St James' Day, 25 July 1884. In 1896 the great stained glass was installed and dedicated to Bishop Turner.

The foundation stone for the second-stage extension of the cathedral, comprising the last four bays of the nave and the west porch, was laid on 27 June 1934. The architect for the extension was Power Adam and Munnings from Sydney. J. F Munnings was the supervising architect and F. C. Hargrave from Grafton was the acting-supervising architect. Builders Messrs S. D. C. Kennedy and Bird Pty Ltd from Sydney completed the extension in 1937. The extensions contained approximately 300,000 hand made bricks from 100 different moulds, laid in old English style. The clay was sourced from the same pit and the moulds were the same as those used in stage one building works. The second stage extension was dedicated on 30 October 1937, to Hunt's design (this last point, in Oultram, 2015, 4).

The second-stage extension was consecrated on 14 September 1959. The extension included additions to the original plan of a choir vestry, north and south entrance floors, chancel extensions, stone flagging on the front steps and rubber tiling in the aisles. Power Adam and Munnings prepared drawings for the new vestry extension off the organ chamber in 1937.

A bell tower and chapter house designed by Hunt were never completed. The cathedral today is an imposing structure in the city, surrounded by other buildings that demonstrate the work of the church.

The Diocese of Grafton was erected as a separate diocese in 1914, and its shield of wavy blue and white lines reflects the coastal and riverine nature of the diocese. Grafton Diocese is one of the 23 which constitute the Anglican Church of Australia. It covers the coastal area south of the New South Wales- Queensland border known as the Northern Rivers Region and inland generally following intermediate ranges between the Great Dividing Range and the Pacific Ocean. There are 28 parishes.

Constructed in 1881 and is widely purported to be designed by Horbury Hunt. However, research by the Diocesan Archivist has indicated that Bishop Turner, a trained architect, designed it.

Victorian Cottage The Anglican Diocese of Grafton purchased this cottage between the years 1961–1973. It was purchased from the estate of the late Ada Laura Greentree. Prior to purchase it was used as a private residence.

From 1961 to 1983 it was used for offices and general parish purposes. From 1983 to 1996 it was used as a cathedral bookshop. From 1996 to 1998 it was used for general parish purposes, and since 1998 it has been used as offices for a counselling service.

Georgian Cottage The Anglican Diocese of Grafton purchased this cottage between the years 1961–1973. Prior to 1961 it is believed to have been used as a private residence. Since 1973 it has been used for offices for staff, youth group meeting rooms and general parish purposes.

Education and Welfare Centre, shops (1996)

The Education and Welfare Centre was completed in 1996 to the design of Barrie E. Ross, building designer. It was set to the north of the cathedral, with car parking fronting Fitzroy Street.

- 1884 - three bays of the nave had been built and cathedral is opened and dedicated on 25 July. St. James Day.

- 1896 - great stained glass window was installed in the chancel over the high altar and dedicated to Bishop Turner.

- 1934 - The foundation stone for the second stage of the cathedral is laid on 27 June.