Heritage-listed Church Restored

An underground aquifer caused the emergence of large cracks throughout the 89-year-old St John’s Anglican Church in the south-east Queensland town of Dalby.

The cracks visible inside the Church appeared following the summer floods, despite no water flooding through the building. A possible cause was the rise in the aquifer, which dates back to the 1800s, moving the Church’s foundations.

The objective was to raise and re-level the Church. Care had to be taken not to damage the stained glass windows, and to close cracks in the brick facade wherever possible.

The restoration of the church to its original levels was an outstanding success, as cracks were closed up on both the exterior and interior walls of the Church and the floors were re-levelled. The work was done so carefully that none of the beautiful stained glass windows was broken or cracked.