St John’s Church (or more correctly the Anglican Church of St John the Baptist), was consecrated in 1845, making it the oldest building the in area of Canberra city, (the city didn’t really take off until the decision was taken to make it the site of the national capital in 1908). The church and the associated school house are listed on the Register of the National Estate.

The view of my painting is of the northern side of the church (built between 1841-45) towards the spire (which was demolished and then rebuilt between 1865-70). The sandstone for the main part of the church was quarried from Black Mountain and also near the current suburb of Yarralumla. The side chapel, is built in the local ‘bluestone’ (or Dacitic ignimbrite to be geologically accurate), from nearby Mt Pleasant.

St John’s Church, Canberra, from the northern side looking towards the tower on the western end of the building, watercolour, 5 January 2015

The strong summer sun cast some dramatic highlights on the golden sandstone of the church. I really enjoyed ‘allowing’ myself to take the time to make a watercolour study, rather than the relatively quick sketches I’ve been making recently. I must do it more often.