"DISCOVER CHURCH" - A 100,000 word web site.

AN INTERESTING WORLD RESEARCH STUDY OF EVERY CHURCH IN ONE SAMPLE CITY, FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE INFORMATION ABOUT CHURCH.

An


*** - Three asterisks means it's the most important sentence to read.
** - Means it's quite important.
* - Means it's interesting.

These next 2 pages are the Church of England churches otherwise known as the Episcopalian churches in USA and Anglicans in Australia.


7.00am ANGLICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. CHRIST CHURCH. 39 Brisbane St, Drayton, Toowoomba.

*1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 0. ("There are 2 or 3 which regularly meet here.") (Technically there were zero parishioners here as I don't count myself or the preacher. So there were two people in the building, him and I.)
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 10.
3. Type of person: Consultant Civil engineer.
4. Socio-Economic Status: -.
5. Amount of kids: 0.
6. Ages of people: Preacher 60yo.
7. % are men.
8. Weekly offering published: -.
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
**10. Any other interesting information: There are 80 to 90,000 people in this denomination world wide. They separated from the mainstream Anglican church in 1977 as mainstream Anglicans allowed homosexual priests.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 16 Mar 2003 7.10am- 7.55am.
12. Length of service: 60 minutes.
13. This and other service times: 7am.
14. Preacher: Jim Hazzard.
15. Feeling of building: OK. There were no songs, only readings from the "Canada Common Prayer" book. There was a sermon. No communion. There are 6 priests in Australia who give communion once a year. The local meetings started "a few years ago."
16. Estimate style of belief: The preacher was in leadership in the Anglican church when they announced priests could be homosexuals.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel south along Drayton Rd till Drayton. Girl Guide hut is next to the Police station.


9.30am ST ALBANS. ANGLICAN Hill St.

*1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 45 (Special days have had 107 there, there are quite a number of special days in Traditional churches, like Christenings, church anniversaries, Palm Sunday etc..) (Church says "..we have 200 unit names on our role.." says newsletter.)
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 165 (210 chairs).
3. Type of person: Well spoken, active in formal caring roles.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Medium.
5. Amount of kids: 5. (2,5,6,16,16yo roughly.) (2 children at Sunday School)
6. Ages of people: Families to 55yo+.
7. 50% of men.
*8. Weekly offering published: Quote from their newsletter "The parish accounts would have been overdrawn by $558 if all accounts had been paid." 14/5/00.
9. Lateness of people getting to church:
*10. Any other interesting information:

WHERE PEOPLE CAN FORMALLY COMPLAIN AGAINST CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLERGY. The Clergy Discipline Commission ("the Commission") has produced a Code of Practice. Guidance on penalties. The Commission has issued guidance on penalties. Released 1 Jan 2006. Or Google phrase "Clergy Discipline Commission".
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/churchlawlegis/clergydiscipline/

* St Albans has a new brick exterior with an older wooden interior which is 75yo. They say "We urgently needed an RE teacher at Newtown".)

***The sermon was 11mins long. (And all the Charismatics said "Oh my goodness.")

11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 18/1/01 9.30am-10.55am. 14/5/00.
12. Length of service: 67 mins.
13. This and other service times: 9.30am.
*(They held their AGM 18/2/01 at 11am after church and held a lunch after and have nomination forms in foyer.)
14. Preacher: Fr Doug Frith. (Note: He is manager of 2 smaller churches, this and St Augustine.)
15. Feeling of building: Good.
16. Estimate style of belief: Anglicans generally are very nice, bible believing people.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel along Anzac Av and turn west (Clifford Gardens) up Hill St.

8am ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN at ARTHUR ST.

1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 100.
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 85% filled.
*3. Type of person. 60% are boarding students from a Presbyterian School, they are there mostly, during term.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Middle.
5. Amount of kids. 65%.
6. Ages of people. High School age and 60+.
7. 25% of men.
8. Weekly offering church brings in if published.-.
9. Lateness of people getting to church.-.
10. Any other interesting information. No young families. No kids. Really middle class being on the range of Toowoomba.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 8am-9am. 14/5/00
12. Time service went till. 1hr. A lunch after church is on the fourth Sunday of each month.
13. This and other service times. 8am, no other.
*14. Preacher. Rev Richard Tutin. (Who is like a Senior Pastor in the Anglican church or Rector who works a lot with the Light radio station.)
15. Feeling of building. Bit old looking on the outside but very pretty on inside.
16. Estimate style of belief. Traditional.
17. Dress to not stand out. Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel East towards range along Margaret St; turn left into Mary St, turn 1st right into Arthur St, cross Godfrey, 5th house on right.

8am ST AUGUSTINES ANGLICAN Tor and North Sts

1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 49.
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: Approx 50% full.
3. Type of person:
4. Socio-Economic Status: Middle.
5. Kids: A massive one third of congregation were late school age girls. (Girls were not there 12/8/01. 7 kids in Sunday School 12/8/01.) 6. Ages: 10yo-80yo.
**7. Men: I have noticed when a church is not doing well, the men do not turn up. This church is only meeting 57% of budget and only 11 men were there, that's no where near the normal 50% mark. About 50% of the Anglican and Uniting churches are like this though.

*8. Offering: They need $1,730 but got $990. The priest publicly mentioned this low figure from pulpit.
9. Late arrivals:-
***10. Interesting info: On almost every corner where there is a Catholic church there is also an Anglican church nearby, on this corner there are three, the Uniting church as well. There were 82 people 4/6/00 but this was due to Anglican school girls presence.

11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 12/8/01; 4/6/00 8.05am-8.40am.
***12. When service finished. Sermon was over in 11 mins.
13. This & other service times: 8am, 6pm Vigil Sat.
14. Preacher: Fr Doug Frith
15. Feeling: A nice building. Wooden ceiling. Bit cool. The newsletter says "..do not speak inside unless it is absolutely necessary."
**16. Their belief: Anglicans tend to be mildly Charismatic. For example, a notice in their newsletter reads "..Laying-on-of-hands for healing is available at this service.." Also, if you WANT TO KNOW IF AN ANGLICAN MINISTER IS SPIRIT FILLED OR NOT ASK IF HE'S BEEN THROUGH "RENEWAL" as this is what they mean by "speaking in tongues".
17. Dress code: Smart casual to formal. 18. How to get there: Travel west, towards airport, along Bridge St, turn right into Tor St, cross OVER North St going past the Catholic and Uniting churches right on the corner, 5th house on right.

6pm Saturday Vigil. ST AUGUSTINES ANGLICAN Tor and North Sts

*1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 9.
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 236 chairs.
3. Type of person: -.
4. Socio-Economic Status: -.
5. Amount of kids: None.
6. Ages of people: -.
7. -% of men.
8. Weekly offering published: -.
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
**10. Any other interesting information: There seems to be very few (Saturday) Vigil services in the whole Anglican church compared to the Catholic church where they are very well supported. If you go to a Catholic Vigil service you have gone to church for the week. You don't go on Sunday's again. Generally.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 17/2/01. 6.30pm-
12. Length of service: -.
13. This and other service times: 6pm Sat, 8am Sun, 5pm Sun.
14. Preacher: Fr Doug Frith.
**(Toowoomba West Parish (Parish simply means "area" meaning, usually this means more than one church) it includes St Albans which the Pastor also managers.)
15. Feeling of building: OK.
16. Estimate style of belief: -.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: See above.

 

ST BARTHOLOMEWS 7.30AM. Anglican. Spring & Ramsay St

1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 35.
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 30% capacity.
3. Type: Older
Charismatic Anglicans.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Middle.
5. Kids? None.
6. Ages? 50+
7. Men 40%
8. Weekly offering? Not listed 21/5/00.
9. Lateness of people getting to church.-.
10. Any other interesting information.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 21/5/00
12. Length of service. 1hr.
13. This and other service times. 7.30am, 9.30am, 3rd Sunday Prayer and Praise 6.30pm. 7am Thursday.
*14. Preacher: Rev Richard Harris (South African, Charismatic)
15. Feeling: Warm traditional.
16. Conservative service.
17. Dress to not stand out. Casual to smart.
18. Travel to corner of Stenner and Ramsay streets.

 

9.30am ST BARTHOLOMEWS (Charismatic) Anglican. Spring & Ramsay St

1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 103 people normally. (3/9/00) (Counted twice 3/9/00 105 people including kids.) 129ppl 16/4/00 (Palm Sunday). 148ppl (48 kids and 100 adults due to Arch Bishop Peter Hollingworth being there 20 Aug 2000.)
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 160 approx.
3. Type of person: Older Charismatic Anglicans.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Middle.
5. Kids: 48 Kids.
6. Ages: 0-80yrs.
7. Men: 50%
*8. Offering: (St Bart's was in this parish or group of churches but they are now a parish by themselves as of 2003.) For all four churches in the parish. (St Lukes, Barts, Marks, All Saints.) Last week $2827 "Pledge income" (Actual). "Budget figure" $3846 (What is needed.) "Loose Collection" $785 (Actual). "Budget figure" $692 (What is needed or expected.). (Pledge (Given figure) $4513 3 Sept 2000) (Pledge $3749 16/4/00.)
9. Late arrivals: -.
**10. Interesting info: Archbishop Peter Hollingworth there for Patron Festival. This church is very alive. They talk about getting people saved and missions excitedly.

11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 9.40am-10am
12. When service finished. 11.15am
13. This & other service times: 9.30am. 7.30am, 3rd Sunday Prayer and Praise 6.30pm.
14. Preacher: Rev Richard Harris.
*15. Feeling: Very warm, huge kids presentation.
16. Their belief: Traditional and Charismatic.
***Vision. They like to talk about having a 2500 seat auditorium. This church is very involved with CLN or "Christian Leaders Network" having combined church prayer meetings and is quite Charismatic, very evangelical.
17. Dress code: Casual.
18. Travel to corner of Stenner and Ramsay streets.
**47. Where is bible college? St Francis Anglican Theological Bible College, Brisbane. Also, if you study 1 year at Aus-study approved "Bible College of Queensland", Brisbane, this can qualify you to be a missionary with CMS. CMS stands for Church Missionary Society which is an independent missionary society which other denominations also contribute too. Many well paid missionary positions are available to do any and all sort of Christian missionary work.
**49. How many missionaries do they support: In Australia nationally it's 150 in 25 countries. In ten years they plan to double the number.
**51. What is average they give to missions: CMS, Church Missionary Society, is not strictly an Anglican "thing". Unlike some missionary societies where you have to raise your own support, with CMS you do not. Anglican churches give 0% - 10% of their weekly funds to this body and CMS pays the missionaries directly. For example, one couple in Tanzania had 3 children and got paid $2,500/ month or 900 pounds to work as a teacher in a 50 pupil school. Which was ample to live on. Each country has different amounts. You also get full medical. Once a year someone will come out from your home country and make sure your doing well. If your going through a crises, additional staff will be deployed to help you get through your stress. (I.E. One couple had hit a child at 80kmh and was hospitalised which was very stressful for all.) When back in Australia, the rate of pay goes up to $36,000/ year. No one gets knocked back generally speaking. As long as you are sure of the call of God and if you are healthy and have the tenacity to fill out all the forms. Please note, you DO NOT HAVE TO BE ANGLICAN TO BE A MISSIONARY WITH CMS, you can still be apart of the Uniting church or any church you so choose. CMS is a missionary organisation which you can use as a boat to help you accomplish God's goals in your life. For example, there are quite a few Uniting church missionaries in CMS. You need 1 year of bible college under your belt minimum. Plus 5 months of mandatory cultural training in Melbourne. Plus 6 months of mandatory Deputation work where you do not fund raise but simply raise awareness of missionary work to your own church and other churches, dinners, fellowships, schools etc.. The only thing CMS ask is that you go overseas for a period of one term minimum which is a 3 to 4 year period. One couple decided to do 2 terms or 7-8 years as they didn't see much point training for 2 years to do merely 3 or 4 years of overseas work. Part of the equation is that if your overseas for approximately 3 years the child allowance runs out. But if you return for 6 months, and then return overseas, you can collect it again. With CMS, most of the missionary positions are there as overseas organisations have asked CMS to supply them with workers from I.T. to teaching to administrators to mechanics. Said one missionary after spending 8 years on the field with CMS "One other missionary society did not let us through as they said we were too old as apparently it's harder to learn a language if your older, which didn't worry us as we didn't have to learn the language. CMS is not perfect but compared to other missionary organisations which offered no or very little support to many workers we worked with, we are so glad we chose CMS. On our return they arranged for a house to live in but we had no car though. With other missionary agencies you can spend 12 months fund raising and your training hasn't started and then it can peter out after a few years, we got paid no matter what. There are CMS workers who have been out there for 30 years. The Anglican church have several missionary societies which they donate to, not just CMS." "When you work overseas the Bishop of that country indirectly looks after you." "You can't do 1 year training at St Francis college but you might be able to do 1 year at "The Pines Training Centre", Sunshine Coast. (See "Good Life Church")."

 

6pm ST BARTHOLOMEWS 3rd Sunday night each month PRAISE AND WORSHIP extending to more Sunday nights. Address: Stenner & Ramsay.

1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 87.
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 160 approx.
3. Type of person: Same.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Same.
5. Kids: Quite a few 16-22yo.
***6. Ages: Surprising to see oldies come out at night! This shows how good it is.
7. Men: 50%
*8. Offering: 4 churches $4998 pledge (Budget $4538)
9. Late arrivals:-
***10. Interesting info: This is not a typical service. This is what happened when I was there- Quite a pleasant evening of meaningful chorus's, darkened church, candle march to Amy Grant song, group candle lighting/ flower planting, very meaningful faith true life stories in between told by parishioners, no formal preaching.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 17/9/00 6pm-9pm (Supper)
12. When service finished. 8.30pm.
13. This & other service times: 6.30pm 3rd Sunday of month. 7.30am 9.30am
14. Preacher: Rev'd Richard Harris
15. Feeling: Warm, worshipful, enjoying.
*16. Their belief: Charismatic. Evangelical.
17. Dress code: Casual.
18. Travel to corner of Stenner and Ramsay streets.

 

THIS IS THE OLDEST CHURCH BUILDING IN TOOWOOMBA.

7.30am ST JAMES ANGLICAN. Russel & Mort Sts

1. 81 people.
2. 45% filled.
3. Type: Older.
4. Socio-Economic Status. Older medium.
5. Amount of kids. Few.
6. Ages of people. Elderly, couple of young families which is normal for a first service.
7. 50% of men.
8. -.
9. -
*10. Anglicans tend to always have a cup of tea after church. St James was built in Mort Street in 1869.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT: 14/5/00.
12. -
13. 7.30am 9.30am No night.
14. Preacher: Rector Archdeacon is Fred Ailwood. Associate Priest Rod Robins.
15. Stayed, quiet, calm, old, traditional.
16. Estimate style of belief. Traditional.
17. Dress to not stand out. Casual to smart.
18. Travel along West St towards the city, turn right or east down Russel St, turn left or North at Mort St.

 
9.30am St James Anglican Mort and Russel Sts.

**1. NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 33 (For Christenings and special events such as 4th Sunday of Easter can be 87ppl and 81ppl etc.. (28/5/00, 14/5/00).
2. NUMBER OF CHAIRS: 320-420.
3. Type of person: Retired.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Similar to Catholics, bit more refined perhaps, plumb in mouth spoken, intellectual, looser, (that was "looser" not "loser" Hehehehe.)
***(Anglicans admit and much research shows Anglican Clergy are more promiscuous than Catholic Clergy in areas of sexual misconduct. Anglican priests have confirmed multiple times to me that this is actually correct.)
5. Kids: 2.
6. Ages: 80% 60+
7. Men: 50%
8. Offering: "Pledge and Open Plate" 23 May 04 $2047; 16 May 04 $2601; 9 May 04 $2569; 2 May 04 $2592.
9. Late arrivals: -
**10. Interesting info: St Lukes was built in 1857 however this church has been said to be older again. However, St James could be the oldest "permanent" building in Toowoomba. As the church was built in 1869 making it the oldest permanent church building in Toowoomba, not Drayton which is St Matthews which is older again.
11. TIME THERE AND DATE OF VISIT:
18/3/01 9am-10.30am
12. When service finished. 10.30am.
13. This & other service times: 9.30am is a contemporary service (old term is low) which does not contain chorus's, it's all hymns. 7.30am service is Traditional (old term is High) Only 3 times a year, on the 5th Sunday of the month, do they have both services combine to an 8.30am service including the other parish churches of St Thomas Jelicoe St and St Anne at Highfields.
14. Preacher: Rector Archdeacon is Fred Ailwood. Associate Priest Rod Robins.
15. Feeling: Stayed.
16. Their belief: Not really Charismatic.
**An interesting Anglican tradition is at the end of communion the Priest not only drinks the remaining wine but the assistant pours water into the empty wine silver cup not once but twice to rinse with water which the priest consumes as well.
17. Dress code: Casual to Neat.
18. Travel along West St towards the city, turn right or east down Russel St, turn left or North at Mort St.

 

IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE FREE EXCITING HIGHLY CURRENT NEWSWORTHY UPDATES BEYOND THIS WEB SITE, send only the word "Subscribe" in the subject heading in your email to this automatic program.
Send to- [email protected]
This message is sent by an auto responder and cannot process replies.

Previous

Home

NEXT (Discover everything about the Episcopalian movement.)

 

1