Back to Newmarket...

A little while ago I wrote a post about a visit to a very quaint coffee shop in the Brisbane suburb of Newmarket. I had parked in a side street and my old Sunday School just happened to be in that street and I walked down the hill to have a closer look at it. The building was no longer a church and had been sold earlier in the year. So that meant that I couldn't go on to the property and have a good look around the grounds...

The church had been built in 1958 and my mother had decided that I needed some religious education/guidance and because I didn't have to cross any main roads to get there from our house, this was the place she chose. It was only one street away from our home. So that's how a child of an Italian immigrant and a second generation Irish Australian's child went to a Presbyterian Sunday School! 

The building was quite avant garde in its shape and didn't look like any other churches in the suburb. For the first few years, it was unlined inside until funds could be raised to finish inside and build in underneath at the back. It featured a 'stage area' where the piano (and later the organ) was situated and the pulpit. To the side of the stage area was a small room where the minister robed and where there was some storage cupboards. There was more storage area hidden under the stage.

I found some photos online which show what the interior of the building was like when it was offered for sale earlier this year...they are tiny but give you an idea of the inside...

I loved the hour or so per week that I spent there as a child and young teen, making many friends. A few times per year the Sunday School would have a special service and we would each be given a role. It was discovered that I had a talent for reading aloud...so I would be chosen to do Readings. We would also be involved with the annual Fete and I loved that afternoon each year, clutching money that my parents had given me to spend at the stalls. There would also be Concerts, Talent Quests, the annual Sunday school picnic, the Christmas party with a visit from Santa and youth group nights; all of which the children were involved in. 

But as well as the activities going on within the Sunday School, there were some fascinating things to a city kid going on outside. Two doors up from the church was a rambling old house...we called it a farmhouse. The people who owned that house had once owned the land that the church stood on plus the land on which the house next door stood. 

These 2 pillars were the original entrance to the old 'farmhouse' . 

They sold these blocks that fronted the street, but they kept the land that ran behind. On this land they had stable buildings and on some Sundays, we watched while they brushed and plaited the horses' manes threading in ribbons, and polished up the horses' hooves. I was always fascinated! We called it a farm but I think it was more like just a large suburban block. 

I could see by looking down the side of the building that the old stables building is gone...the church still stood on a large block though...some more Real estate pics...

Just lots of trees and shrubs where the old post and rail fence and stables were...

So I wonder what the fate of this building and block is? It's Zoned Res A, so no behemoth buildings like the suburb I presently live in. 

Another coffee shop...

I've written posts before about the monthly coffee morning I have with a group of friends. We call ourselves the 'Newmarket Mums' and our friendships began when our children went to Newmarket State School (primary). We bonded during tuckshop duty, P&C meetings, fetes, street stalls, sewing bees etc. Our children went to many different high schools but our friendships continued. Then about 10 years ago a few of us started meeting monthly and gradually our group grew. We've met in a number of cafes in the Newmarket/Alderley area and for quite a while we've been meeting at Gloria Jeans at Newmarket. We get seniors' discount there and on request the coffee/tea is served in a china cup rather than the ubiquitous paper/polystyrene cups.   

But last Sunday we went somewhere different...

I don't live in Newmarket any more but a number of the ladies do, and they have been 'singing the praises' of a little coffee shop that has been there for a few years now. So for our September coffee meet, we went there...I parked my car in the street parallel to the street where I grew up, so as soon as I got out of the car, the sweet memories started flooding back... 

I walked up the hill from where I parked and turned right and walked along Enoggera Rd until I got to this building...when I was a girl this was Bell's Furniture factory, an intriguing place to peep into as I walked past.

Now it is the home to Newmarket Hardware. That business used to be in the building next door but quite a few years ago, a local bought that building (and the business) and refurbished it and rented it out. He obviously also owned the old factory so moved the hardware store into there. Many of the older locals thought he was 'mad' but he's had the last laugh I think. Oh...you're probably wondering why I'm going on about this hardware store? 

Well the story goes that the owner's wife opened a gallery and tiny coffee shop at the back of the hardware store...and here it is...

My friend Sandra really liked this piece but as she is downsizing to a unit thought it best not to buy it :-)

The building is high off the ground at the back as the ground slopes sharply down towards Enoggera Creek

Here is the lovely owner of the Gallery B...

Coffees/teas are served in lovely china ,mugs , cups with matching plate/saucers...

It was so relaxing sitting on the back deck area...

There was art work everywhere...

Some of the other examples of china

 My friend Maddy had only recently returned from her Canada /Alaska tour

I took photos of the view from the deck...

Looking over the creek towards the suburb of Ashgrove...

Looking west; when I was a little girl, this area was market gardens...

The creek is quite dry at the moment with lots of gravel banks visible. The area of mowed grass on mid right is the back of the Newmarket Bowls Club

 I used the zoom for this photo...this photo shows the water tower in the suburb of Bardon. When I was a little girl I was fascinated by this structure that I could see from the tram stop on Enoggera Rd. My mum told me what it was and somehow I imagined that it was just magical. Didn't get to go and see it close up until I got my drivers' licence in my early 20s. Mind you, it didn't disappoint! lol

And in the Gallery there were the most beautiful items for sale...

My friends browsing

And as we were leaving my friend Robyn was even able to buy some fertiliser from the hardware part of the building! lol

Before I drove home I just had to take a photo of the little church in the street where I had parked. I went to Sunday school here in the late 50s through to the mid 60s. My friends had told me that it was no longer a church, it had been sold...

This church was built in 1958 and was quite a radical/avant garde  design. But I will write about its role in my life in another post. 

One of my friends has told me about a new coffee shop in Newmarket which is in a converted shipping container in the old Brickworks' site...so DH and I might have to check that one out too :-)