Historic St James Anglican Church Toowoomba hosts music and heritage open day

Toowoomba’s oldest church will open its doors to the public in a celebration of its music, history, and liturgy. DETAILS.

St Jame’s Anglican Church choristers Julie Humphries pictured with the 142-year-old organ, the oldest pipe organ in Toowoomba.

Toowoomba’s oldest church will opens its door to the public at the weekend, showcasing its music, history, and liturgy.

St James Anglican Church, corner of Russell and Mort streets, was added to Queensland’s Heritage Register in 2000.

Sunday’s open day starts with a tour of the stained glass windows, history, and architectural features of St James.

This will be followed by a presentation of Sunday school memories and wedding vow renewals from several members of the congregation. St James’ reputation for its fine musical heritage will also be heavily showcased.

Acclaimed organists Eduada van Klinken and Pamela Duane will present a recital on the historic pipe organ, also the oldest in Toowoomba. They will be supported by guest soloist, Ian Kammholz.

Visitors will be able to experience the joy of young Sudanese singers who form the Dinka

Youth Choir at St James’s in their own special performance, and everyone is invited to join in

some rousing hymn-singing, led by St James’ Choir and accompanied by organist Andrew

Doecke.

The culmination of all the musical presentations of the day will be at 5pm when the

public is invited to join with everyone at St James for a unique event, which draws on

centuries of history, liturgy, and music, a Traditional High Anglican Evensong, led by clergy,

choir, and organ.

This is a service that has been a core part of the worship of the Anglican Church since the 1600s.

It has become a tourist attraction in many English cathedrals and chapels, including Kings College Chapel, Cambridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, London, Canterbury Cathedral, and York Minster.

Originally published as Historic St James Anglican Church Toowoomba hosts music and heritage open day