St Matthews Church, Sherwood, trying to derive income from childcare

A Brisbane church has applied to develop its land to start an unlikely new income-generating venture as a sharp decline in worshippers threatens its existence.

The exterior of St Matthews Church at Sherwood which wants build a childcare to help supplement their income. Picture: Google

A decline in worshippers has led to a religious group wanting to supplement its income with a childcare centre within the grounds of a century old church.

Anglican Church Southern Queensland has submitted plans to build a childcare centre adjacent to St Matthews Church on the corner of Oxley Rd and Sherwood Rd, Sherwood.

This ‘Interwar Romanesque-style’ church was built in 1923 and was the third Anglican Church to have been built in Sherwood since 1868.

The site includes a heritage-listed 1907 parish hall which would be relocated closer to the church if Brisbane City Council approved the plans.

An artist impression of the parish hall being linked to the church. A childcare will be located to the rear. Picture: Darren Cartwright

The centre has been designed to cater for 84 children and would be in addition to two new childcare centres that have opened within about a kilometre of the church in the past year.

There are about half a dozen child care centres within a two kilometre radius of the church.

“The St Matthews Church, on Oxley, has experienced a pattern of reduction in the numbers of Parish members,” stated the heritage report submitted to council.

“The Church continues to be well patronised for major religious celebrations, and on Sundays.

“In order to find a compatible ongoing use, meet demand in the community and generate income to contribute to the support of the site, the Anglican Church intends to develop this site to accommodate a childcare centre … and office accommodation.”

An aerial view of the proposed changes which includes relocating the 1907 parish hall and erecting a childcare centre (lower left corner). The outline of existing church (stark white) top right of the site. Picture: BCC

The report stated the council heritage register noted the structure was significant ‘as a good example of a brick, Romanesque-style 1920s Anglican Church and a modest timber parish hall used for a Sunday school’.

The proposed childcare centre would be free standing with ‘no connection to the church or the parish hall’ and would be situated in the south west corner of the site.

It would be no higher than two stories with a low profile roof line and a facade that is articulated with deep recesses.

The income derived from the centre “contributes to the ongoing maintenance of the parish hall and church. Parish contributions provide for the mission work of the church”, the submission stated.

The plans include the removal of the 1926 side extension to the hall and noted that centre would service the immediate local community need and “not impact” on traffic levels.