Our Parish
Hendra and Clayfield are neighbouring suburbs in the inner north of Brisbane, located approximately 10 kms to the north/east of the CBD and bordering the suburbs of Ascot and Hamilton. The suburbs are mostly residential, with some commercial areas along main thoroughfares (Sandgate Rd).
According to ABS Census Data for 2016 the median age across the two suburbs is 36-39 and there are 15,180 people with an almost even split between male and female. There are 3740 families in the area with an average of 1.8 children for those families with children. The employment status of couple families has the majority of couples with both partners employed both in full time work.
2410 people across the suburbs have identified as being Anglican.
Our History
The churches have a combined history. St Colomb’s was dedicated on the 23 December 1899. In 1911 land was acquired on the corner of Franz Street and Colin Street at Clayfield. This was the worship centre for those in Hendra as well. In 1920 the Archbishop gave approval for the church to move to land between Sandgate Road and Victoria Street. The church was dismantled, and everything numbered and rebuilt on the current site. In 1921 the Church raised funds for the construction of the Cross of Remembrance.
With the moving of the Clayfield church those in Hendra started to move towards the starting of a sister church in Hendra. They started teaching Sunday school at Hendra State School. The first registered service for the community was in January of 1925 and the first Communion service in April. They worshipped in a Hall owned by Hendra School and which was moved a number of times and is the hall Hendra rents. In 1945 the Parish Clayfield/Hendra purchased the land that is the site of St John’s. The church created a building fund in 1946 and would lead to the building of the St John’s, which was consecrated in 1953. In 1956 Clayfield and Hendra become independent parishes.
In 2000 the diocese believed that the two churches would benefit from a merging of the two parishes and lead meetings to formulate the merge. The two parishes had unique identities. Clayfield’s history was long and had a been the force in the diocese. Hendra’s journey to independence was still fresh, the work and efforts of the founders was still an important part of their identity. The merging of the two was not easy for either parish.
The Parish has grown out of these and other events to be more flexible and open to the changing times. They are passionate and faithful, looking for a priest who can guide them into a future, no matter what it looks like.
The selling off of the rectory at Clayfield and land on Sandgate Road, as well as a house left by the Edwards family to St John’s, which has been used to buy an apartment and that sold to invest in two managed funds, has assured the parish of a strong financial position as it heads into this next phase of our journey of faith.
