History of St Paul's, Samford
 

An Anglican presence in Samford was established with the construction of the first St Paul's Church on the present site in 1924, by the Anglican families in the Samford and surrounding areas.  Half an acre of land was purchased in 1922 from Mr Cash for the sum of £40 and the timber building, which was erected at a cost of £275, was dedicated by Bishop Le Fanu on Sunday 31st August 1924.  At that time, the Samford Valley was a rural area with dairy farming and timber as its main industries.

Original St Paul's Anglican Church (click image to see larger version)

For the next 66 years, St Paul’s was a rural outpost of the Grovely Parish, and church services were conducted by visiting priests or retired clergy living in the area.

The present church building was originally constructed in 1902 at 67 Samford Road Alderley and dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.  In 1922 it was moved to the corner of Camborne Street and Glenalva Terrace, Alderley.  The Sanctuary was added in 1958. 

St Mary's church, prior to removal to Samford (click image to see larger version)

With the sale of the Camborne Street site in October 1988, this building was generously gifted by the Parish of Enoggera to the Parish of Grovely and removed to Samford.  The original St Paul's Church was retained on the site and converted to use as a hall. 

St Mary's building was rededicated as St Paul's, Samford on Wednesday 21st December 1988, the feast of St Thomas, Apostle and Martyr, by +John Grindrod, Archbishop of Brisbane and Primate of Australia.

The current St Paul's Anglican Church Samford (click image to see larger version)

Samford became a Provisional Parish in 1990 and has supported a part-time stipended ministry since that time.  The Rectory was acquired by the Diocese in 1991.......
 

A central component of the local community at Samford, St Paul’s Anglican Church is first and foremost a family church with an overriding sense of caring, sharing and friendship.  

Best described as a user-friendly, children-friendly ministry set in a beautiful, wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, St Paul’s is nestled in leafy surrounds in Samford Village, just 20 kilometres from Brisbane’s city centre. 

The Church and grounds have a distinctly peaceful, country feel. Against a backdrop of mountains, lush fields, cattle and horses typical of the Samford Valley, visitors are welcomed through a charming open area courtyard complete with overhead sails, greenery and flower garden for the “littlies”. Sundays are particularly special as friends and family gather for worship and afterwards enjoy home-style morning tea in the leafy sun dappled courtyard.   

Morning tea in the leafy sun dappled courtyard (click image to see larger version)

St Paul’s plays a vital and leading role in the community through its services and activities. The caring family-centred open door philosophy includes 24 hour accessibility for those in need of a friendly helping hand. In addition, facilities such as the Church Hall are available for Sunday School, parents and children’s Playgroup and various community organisations such as the Samford craft group. 

A lovely feature of the inclusive atmosphere is that everyone gets involved in the Church program – including charity nights, parish dinners and the annual “Christmas in the Village” celebrations. Christmas at St Paul’s is also an occasion to look forward to with the special Christmas services and Christmas Eve in-house play with the younger members of the church illustrating the spirit of Christmas and family. 

The “Ministry of the people” approach is seen in the Home Groups with weekly or fortnightly get-togethers for prayer and study support. Parishioners also take different roles in church life such as handing out books, preparing morning tea, readings, prayers, playing piano, acting as servers, arranging flowers and cleaning. 

Being in a fast growing area, St Paul’s attracts many young families and is increasing its ministry to the local youth population. The church draws people from Samford, Ferny Grove and Eaton’s Hill with some travelling reasonable distances such as Murrumba Downs.......

 

Mr. Ray Mitchell, circa 1984 (click image to see larger version) (Photo used with the kind permission of Mr Ray Mitchell)

This photograph is of Ray Mitchell, who was the first person Baptised in the original St Paul's Church. This photograph was taken on the 60th Anniversary of St Paul's in 1984.