Mary Immaculate Church, Annerley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mary Immaculate Church |
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Mary Immaculate Church
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 Mary Immaculate Church
Location in Queensland
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| 27°31′01″S 153°01′50″E / 27.516928°S 153.030419°E | |
| Location | Annerley, Queensland |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Latin Rite |
| Religious institute | Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 11 October 1931 |
| Founder(s) | Archbishop James Duhig |
| Dedication | Mary Immaculate |
| Dedicated | 1 May 1932 by Archbishop James Duhig |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Jack Donoghue |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Inter-war French Gothic |
| Years built | 1931–1939 |
| Construction cost | A£10,451 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 600 people |
| Materials |
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| Administration | |
| Parish | Annerley Ekibin |
| Archdiocese | Brisbane |
The Mary Immaculate Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Annerley, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's listed on the Brisbane Heritage Register, meaning it's an important building. The church is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane and is currently looked after by the Brisbane Oratory in Formation, which is a group of priests and brothers.
Contents
History of the Church
Building the First Church
In the early 1900s, many Catholic families lived in Annerley. They had to walk over five kilometers to attend church and school. To make things easier, a group of people asked Archbishop James Duhig for help. They wanted to build a place that could be both a church and a school. The Archbishop agreed, and land was bought in October 1912.
The Original Church and School
The community worked hard and built the church/school in less than two years. On June 14, 1914, Archbishop Duhig officially opened it. The church was named Mary Immaculate. It was a timber building with a verandah and could hold 300 people. The first priest, Father James Gallagher, traveled a huge area by horseback to serve the community. Later, in 1920, the community bought him a car! Over time, more classrooms and a home for the Sisters (nuns) were added.
Building the Current Church
Just ten years after the first church opened, Archbishop Duhig announced plans for a much larger church. This new church would be built in memory of Father James Gallagher, who had passed away. Even though it was during the Great Depression, a time when many people didn't have jobs, the foundation stone was laid on October 11, 1931. Archbishop Duhig believed the church's beauty would help people think about God.
The church was finished and blessed by Archbishop Duhig on May 1, 1932. He said that building such a beautiful church during hard times showed the strong faith of the people. He also said that building churches helped create jobs when many people were unemployed.
The church cost about A£10,451 to build. A large part of this money was raised by the community, which was amazing given the tough economic times. Because of the Depression, some parts of the church, like the painting of the ceiling and some marble altars, couldn't be finished right away. The main marble altar was installed ten years later.
Many families helped raise money, including the Freney family. They held many events like tennis mornings, card games, bingo, and fetes. These events not only raised money but also brought the community closer. Even American soldiers stationed nearby during World War II helped with donations.
Church Design and Features
Archbishop Duhig described the church as a grand brick building with a tall tower and spire. It has a large Gothic arch at the front with the words "Hic Est Domus Dei," which means "This is the House of God."
The church was designed to be cool in summer, almost like an open-air building. It can hold up to 600 people. All the building materials were from Queensland, and local workers built it. Even steel beams, like those used for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, were used to support the floor! Inside, it had a beautiful ceiling, special confessionals built into the walls, cross-shaped lamps, and a large pulpit made of silky oak wood.
The church is built in a French Gothic style. It has an eight-sided bell tower with a copper spire and a big round "rose window" on its front.
Church Galleries
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Interior of Church circa 1940s
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Interior of Church in 1932
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Chester Road View
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Ipswich Road View with Original Fence
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Rear of Church 1932
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Ipswich Road in 1937
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Interior of Church today during a Sung Latin Mass with Confessions being heard
Special Treasures of the Church
High Altar and Pews
The beautiful High Altar was finished in 1941, paid for by the community's fundraising. The original wooden altars, built by local people, were moved to another church. The gold for the Tabernacle key chain was donated by a school student named Madeline Freney, who later became a nun. The church pews, made of high-quality silky oak timber, were donated by individual families in 1932.
The Church Clock
The Church Clock was given in 1941 by Edward Albert Byrne to remember his sister Bridget. It has three fish on its face, which represent the Blessed Trinity. These fish move forward, showing how we are always moving towards our destiny. The fish symbol was used by early Christians to mark places where they celebrated Mass. The twelve red stars on the clock represent the twelve apostles and the blood of martyrs. The frame is made of wrought iron and includes the word 'Christ' in Greek.
Recent Renovations
In 2014, a big hailstorm damaged the church roof and caused flooding. The carpet had to be replaced, and the original marble floor was cleaned and repaired. In 2018, the altar rails, which were similar to the original design, were brought back into the church.
The Blessed Virgin Painting
A large oil painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, over 100 years old, was painted by a nun named Mother Mary Zahel. A school student, Rita de Lange, posed for Mary's face in the painting. This painting has been in both the old and new churches.
Treasures Gallery
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The High Altar was installed in 1941.
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Archbishop Mark Coleridge celebrating Mass
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The Clock was installed in 1941.
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The large oil painting of the Blessed Virgin was painted over 100 years ago by Sacred Heart nun, Mother Mary Zahel. A school pupil, Rita de Lange was used to pose for the face. The painting has adorned both churches.
Annerley Ekibin Parish Community
Mary Immaculate Church was originally called the Ipswich Road Parish. In 2003, it joined with the Ekibin Parish to become the Annerley Ekibin Parish. This parish also includes St John Fisher Church and St Elizabeth's Chapel. Since 2014, the parish has been cared for by the Brisbane Oratory in Formation.
The parish is proud that many people from its community have become priests or religious sisters and brothers over the years.
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
The Annerley Ekibin Parish has two branches of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP). These groups help people in need by visiting homes and providing goods. They have helped many people, including those in a "shanty town" during the Depression and people with disabilities. Over 300 people have volunteered with SVDP over the years, and they continue their good work today.
Marymac Community Centre
The Marymac Community Centre, built in 1978, is a multi-purpose building. It has classrooms and a large hall used for school assemblies, dances, and other parish events. It used to host weekly bingo games, supported by over 50 volunteers.
Mary 'Mac Parish Magazine
The Mary 'Mac magazine was published every two months for 25 years. It shared news about parish and school life, including births, graduations, and travel. Before the internet, it was a key source for local and Catholic news. The 151 issues of the magazine tell the story of Catholic parish life in Brisbane from 1978 to 2003.
Sisters of the Sacred Heart
The Sisters of the Sacred Heart started the convent and primary school in Annerley in 1917. Archbishop Duhig was very happy they came, as he cared deeply about the quality of education. The Sisters later moved to establish Stuartholme School in Toowong in 1919.
Sisters of St Joseph
In January 1920, the Sisters of Saint Joseph took over the convent and school. They also helped start Our Lady's College Annerley in 1964. The Sisters prepared children for sacraments and taught catechism. They also worked with children from the School for the Deaf and Dumb.
The Sisters opened a Mary Mackillop Centre in their convent in 1995, where people could see relics and learn about Saint Mary Mackillop. This center closed in 2014. A parishioner named Des Skelly found Saint Mary Mackillop's signature in a banking book from 1878, which is now at the St Mary Mackillop Museum in Sydney. The Sisters moved out of the convent in 2014, and it became home to the Brisbane Oratory.
The Brisbane Oratory in Formation
The Brisbane Oratory in Formation is the first group of its kind in Australia, inspired by St. Philip Neri.
It's a community of priests and brothers from all over Australia who are training for the priesthood. They live together in "Oratory House," which was originally the Sisters of Saint Joseph's convent. The Oratory holds an annual dinner to raise money for the education of their seminarians (those studying to become priests).
Groups for Young People
- Frassati Australia: Started in 2011, this group helps young Catholic men live their faith and discover their calling. They help the parish by altar serving, participating in sacred music, and holding spiritual talks. Some members even live together in "Frassati Houses."
- Flores Teresianes for Young Women: This group for young women (18 and older) helps them grow in their faith and closer to God. They meet monthly for dinner and talks, and also have retreat days.
- Juventus Frassati Youth Group: This group is for high school-aged boys and girls. It helps them make good friendships, learn about their faith, and have positive role models. They meet every two weeks at St Elizabeth's School.
- Verso L’Alto – Young Adult Evenings: Meaning "To the top," these evenings are for young adults. They start with Mass and are followed by a talk from a guest speaker. The group started in 2012 and has hosted many well-known speakers.
Other Oratory Activities
- The Oratory Book Club: This club meets monthly to discuss important Catholic and other great books.
- Brisbane Oratory Music: The Oratory Choir and Schola provide sacred music for church services and sometimes perform concerts.
- Oratory Altar Servers: Young men and boys serve at the altar during Mass, helping to ensure the services are carried out carefully and prayerfully. They learn how to serve both forms of the Roman rite.
Churches and Schools in the Parish
St John Fisher Church
St John Fisher Church is located in Tarragindi. It was built in 1960 as a war memorial church and was originally named St Pius X.
St Elizabeth's Chapel
St Elizabeth's Chapel is also in Tarragindi. It opened as a church in 1955. Before that, Masses were held in a converted house. In 2005, the church was changed into a chapel. Since 2020, the chapel has offered Perpetual Adoration, where people can pray before the Blessed Sacrament at any time.
St Elizabeth's School
St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School opened on February 25, 1958. Three Presentation Sisters were welcomed by Father Basil Bergin and Archbishop Duhig. The school started with 77 children in Years 1 to 3. Today, it has about 400 children from Prep to Year 6 and is known for its quality Catholic education.
Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School
Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School opened on April 30, 1917, by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. It was first called the Ipswich Road Convent School, and lessons were held in the church building. In 1919, the Sisters of St Joseph took over and changed the name to St Joseph's Convent School. When the current church was built in 1932, classrooms were added underneath. In the 1950s, the school's name changed again to Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School. The Sisters of St Joseph ran the school for 72 years until the first lay (non-religious) Principal was appointed in 1991.
Our Lady’s College
Our Lady's College is a high school for girls that opened in 1964. It was started by Monsignor James Kelly and the parish community. The Sisters of St Joseph, who ran the primary school, also helped run the college. Monsignor Kelly believed that "Nothing is impossible with God," even when faced with challenges in building the school.
Images for kids
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Wedding Blessing
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Good Friday Ceremony
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Visit of the St John Bosco relic
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Blessing of the Easter Water with the Paschal Candle
