The island community of Saibai in the Torres Strait is home to around 450 people who have an ongoing connection with the land and sea. Today, more than 80% of residents are also practicing Christians and the local Holy Trinity Church holds great significance within the community.
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00:00For Saibai Islanders, the Holy Trinity Church represents the heart and soul of the community.
00:08It's like a mat, woven together. Everybody comes together.
00:17I always love this church. It's like a memory for me.
00:22Christianity came to the island in 1871 with the London Missionary Society,
00:27and since then, culture and religion have co-existed.
00:31Today, over 80% of Saibai Islanders are practising Christians.
00:36When we were kids, we never missed an afternoon evening prayer.
00:41Because we were brought up in that way, we have that love and faith.
00:48The church took 19 years to build by three generations of Saibai Islanders.
00:53Taking inspiration from Torres Strait architecture,
00:56they used local materials like wongai plum and mangrove timber in its foundations.
01:01Canoes were used to collect coral from the nearby reef,
01:05which was then burned down on the beach to form lime,
01:08and mixed with sand and gravel to create the 30cm thick walls.
01:12Some were lost while working. They dedicated their work to build a church.
01:20The church was completed in 1938.
01:23Before a bell was installed, a traditional bushel called the townspeople to church.
01:28It's just one of many religious items still found in the church today,
01:32including original candlesticks and a pulpit.
01:36Everything in here is handcrafted, and everything is made by the local people.
01:44So the stained glass windows tell the story of the church, how it was built.
01:51Saibai Island was also home to the first Torres Strait Islander bishop,
01:55a huge moment in history for the island.
01:58I was proud of that and very happy the same day.
02:01First historic bishop from Saibai.
02:06Now heritage listed in Queensland, it's hoped the church will be enjoyed by generations to come.