Initiated by the Reverend Slaney Poole,
St John's Church was designed and built in 1887 making it the second oldest Anglican church in South Australia. It has a dominating tower and its walls are constructed of sandstone rubble.
In 1902, a new Dodd organ was installed. Originally a two-manual instrument with mechanical action, the organ was rebuilt with electro-pneumatic action approximately 60 years later. George Stephens then reconstructed the mechanical action in 1996.
A second organ stands proudly at the west end of the church. This 1897 instrument was donated by Michael Cant after initially being placed at a couple of other churches. Although there are two organs, only one can be played at a time. The church's fine building is known to have excellent acoustics.
With the dawn of World War I, seventy-five parishioners volunteered to fight and their names are now listed in the porch area. Other memorials include the neo-gothic font and baptistery as well as the pair of windows beside the baptistery.
The church's interior also features stained glass windows, colourful reredos with two archangels and a rood cross from France. All of these arts add to a great aesthetic environment.
In 1986, St John's Church became one of the
heritage places of Adelaide. It is located at 379 Halifax Street and has recently opened its doors to the public as part of
History Festival. For more information, please head to their website at
stjohnsadelaide.org.au.
