Bishop's House, Cairns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bishop's House, Cairns |
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Bishop's House, Cairns, 2015
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| Location | Abbott Street, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Joseph Phelan |
| Official name: Bishop's House, St Monica's Monastery/Priory | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 July 1997 |
| Reference no. | 601747 |
| Significant period | 1930s (fabric) 1930s- (historical, social) |
| Significant components | furniture/fittings, steps/stairway, verandahs - arcaded, statue, residential accommodation - bishop's house, fence/wall - perimeter |
| Builders | Michael Garvey |
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Bishop's House is a very old and important building in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It was first built in 1930 as a monastery for Catholic priests. A monastery is a place where religious people live and work together. Today, it is the home of the Bishop of Cairns, who is a leader in the Catholic Church. The building is special because it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected for its history and unique design.
Contents
A Glimpse into History
Bishop's House is a two-storey building made of strong reinforced concrete. It was built in 1930 for the Augustinian fathers. These priests were in charge of the Catholic Church in the Cooktown area and also at St Monica's Parish in Cairns. Before this building, there was an older wooden house built in 1887 for the priests.
Cairns and the Church
Cairns started as a port town in 1876. Around the same time, the Catholic Church began to grow in North Queensland. In 1884, three Irish Augustinian priests came to the area. They set up a monastery in Cooktown and started the St Monica's parish in Cairns in 1885.
The first St Monica's Church was a wooden building. It opened in 1886 on the same spot where Bishop's House stands today. A year later, a wooden house for the priests, called a presbytery, was built next to the church. By 1906, Cairns had become more important than Cooktown. So, the main Catholic leader moved to Cairns, and St Monica's Church became a pro-cathedral, which is like a main church.
Building Boom in Cairns
The new St Monica's Monastery (now Bishop's House) was part of a big building spree for the Catholic Church in Cairns. This happened in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Other buildings included the St Monica's Church-School and St Augustine's College.
Much of this building work was led by Father Joseph Phelan. He came to Cairns after a big storm, Cyclone Willis, hit in 1927. Father Phelan knew a lot about architecture. He is believed to have designed the college, the monastery, and another church-school.
Building the New Monastery
The old wooden presbytery was taken down in mid-1930. The foundation stone for the new monastery was laid on August 31, 1930. By then, half of the outer walls were already finished! The building was officially opened on December 21, 1930. Archbishop James Duhig from Brisbane said it was "the finest episcopal residence in Australia."
Father Phelan designed the building and oversaw its construction. Michael Garvey, a builder from Cairns, also helped. He had built other Catholic buildings in the area. The monastery was built very quickly, in less than six months. Many people from the community helped by volunteering their time and skills. Some even donated materials, like the staircase. The total cost was about £7,430, which was a lot of money back then.
Building this monastery showed how strong the Catholic Church was in Cairns. Even after a cyclone, floods, and tough economic times, the community worked together. This quick construction was a testament to the dedication of the Augustinian Fathers, especially Father Phelan.
Cairns Grows and Changes
The construction of St Monica's Monastery happened during a time when Cairns was growing fast. New farming areas opened up, and a railway line to Brisbane was finished in 1924. The sugar industry was also doing well. Many old timber buildings were damaged by cyclones, leading to a lot of new construction. Cairns became known for its strong, reinforced concrete and brick buildings from this time.
In 1941, the Catholic Church in Cairns became its own official Diocese. Bishop John Heavey, who had been a leader since 1914, became the first Bishop of Cairns. At this time, St Monica's Monastery became known as the Bishop's House.
After Bishop Heavey passed away in 1948, local priests took over the leadership. This ended the long connection with the Irish Augustinian priests. Bishop's House is still the home of the Bishop of Cairns today.
What Does it Look Like?
Bishop's House is on the corner of Abbott and Minnie Streets. It's a two-storey building made of reinforced concrete. Its style reminds some people of buildings in colonial India. It has a wide open porch, called a verandah, along Abbott Street. Some parts of the verandahs have been closed in over time. There's also a newer addition from the 1960s.
A fence from when the building was first made still stands along Abbott and Minnie Streets. It's a low concrete wall with posts and metal mesh panels.
The front of the building along Lake Street is balanced and has three sections. The middle section sticks out a bit. There are rectangular columns dividing these sections. The verandahs on both levels have a solid lower part with shaped balusters (small posts). Above the verandah, there's a heavy decorative ledge with a low wall on top.
Above the main entrance, there's a statue of the Virgin Mary in a special alcove. This alcove is formed by columns supporting a rounded top. The roof has different shapes and is covered with corrugated sheets.
The back of the building has windows with small opening parts at the top. Windows on the ground floor have decorative wooden hoods.
The main entrance has wide concrete steps leading to a wooden porch. The main door is made of heavy wood panels with stained glass on the sides. Inside, there's a beautiful wooden staircase made of silky oak wood.
The building has a central hallway on both floors. Many rooms have French doors that open onto the verandahs. On the ground floor, there's a conference room and a small chapel with a white wooden altar. Other rooms on the ground floor are now offices. On the first floor, the Bishop's living area is in the western corner.
The doors and windows are made of clear finished silky oak wood. Ceilings are smooth plaster, and the floors are polished wood. Bishop's House is still very much like it was when it was first built.
Why is it Important?
Bishop's House is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it's very important for several reasons:
- It shows how Cairns grew: The building is a great example of how Cairns was rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s. During this time, Cairns became the main port for Far North Queensland. It also shows how reinforced concrete was used for building in Cairns because it's strong against cyclones.
- It's a great example of its kind: Even with some small changes, Bishop's House is still very much original. It's a wonderful example of a monastery designed for a tropical climate. Its concrete construction was chosen to be strong against storms.
- It's beautiful: Bishop's House, along with nearby St Joseph's Convent and St Monica's High School Administration Building, forms a group of important old buildings. They all have similar size and materials. Together, they make Cairns look special and help tell the city's story.
- It's important to the community: This building has a strong connection to the early development of Cairns. It's especially important to the Catholic community of St Monica's parish and the Diocese of Cairns.
- It's linked to important people: Bishop's House is closely connected to the work of the Augustinian fathers, especially Father Phelan. He was a parish priest in Cairns from 1927 to 1937 and played a big role in the church's history in the area.
