Our Lady Star of the Sea Church & School facts for kids

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church & School
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church (view from Goondoon St), 2014
Location	Goondoon Street, Gladstone, Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1919–1930s (interwar period)
Built	1924–1950
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Our Lady Star of the Sea Church & School
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600521
Significant period	1924, 1938, 1949–1950 (fabric)
Significant components	stained glass window/s, school/school room, furniture/fittings, church, wall/s - retaining
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Our Lady Star of the Sea Church & School is a special historical site in Gladstone, Australia. It includes a Roman Catholic church and a school. Both buildings are located on Goondoon Street. The church was built in 1924, and the school was completed in 1950. This site is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's important to Queensland's history and culture.

A Look Back: History of the Site

The Our Lady Star of the Sea church in Gladstone was built in 1924. The school next to it was finished in 1950. This newer school replaced an older building from 1902 that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1949.

Early Days in Gladstone

Gladstone was first planned in 1853. By 1854, it had a government leader. Even though there weren't many Catholic people in Gladstone then, the head of the Catholic Church in Australia, Archbishop Bede Polding, bought land there. This land was on Auckland Hill.

In 1868, Bishop James Quinn, Queensland's first Catholic Bishop, visited Gladstone. He encouraged plans for a church. The land on Auckland Hill was very steep. So, in 1870, new land was bought for a church and a school.

First Schools and Churches

St Mary's School opened in 1871. It was run by the Sisters of St Joseph. For some years, this school also served as the church. Later, the Sisters left Queensland. Catholic students then went to a school run by Mrs. Annie Breslin.

St Mary's Church opened in January 1874. For many years, priests from Rockhampton visited to lead services. In 1882, the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton was created. Gladstone got its first resident priest in 1885.

New Location and Buildings

Around 1900, the railway was extended to Gladstone. This brought more people to the town. In 1901, the Catholic parish in Gladstone became part of the Marist Fathers' care. The church land on Auckland Street was taken for railway use.

A new, larger site was bought. This land was on Goondoon Street, Herbert Street, and Glenlyon Road. It overlooked the harbor. The plan was to build a church, school, convent (where nuns live), and presbytery (where priests live) there.

The new church school, designed by Eaton and Bates, opened in January 1902. Sisters of Mercy from Rockhampton taught there. A timber convent was finished in June 1902. A two-story timber presbytery was also completed in September.

Building the Current Church

To serve the growing community, a larger new church was planned. Bishop Joseph Shiel laid the foundation stone on April 13, 1924. This church was built next to the 1902 church school. It officially opened on November 16, 1924. The older 1902 building continued to be used as a school.

Growth and New School

In the late 1930s, Gladstone grew again. A meatworks company increased its production. In 1936, people started raising money to make the church bigger. The church extensions opened in 1938.

Around 1943, architect Frank Cullen was asked to design a new school. It would hold 300 students. Building was delayed due to wartime rules. In 1947, a permit was finally given. The plan was changed to fit 400 children because Gladstone was growing so much.

Work on the new school had just begun when a cyclone hit Gladstone on March 2, 1949. The 1902 school and convent buildings were destroyed. For a while, Our Lady Star of the Sea School was held in temporary places.

Archbishop James Duhig officially opened the new school on April 20, 1950. This three-story brick building was very modern. It had a basement hall, a library, and a public address system. A new convent was finished in 1952.

Changes Over Time

Gladstone experienced a big boom in the late 1960s. New industries opened, like a powerhouse and an alumina smelter. Between 1965 and 1970, changes were made to the church complex. A lane was closed, and retaining walls were built. The church's sanctuary was also updated.

In 1966, Gladstone Catholic High School started. Later, separate colleges for girls and boys opened. These colleges combined in 1968 to form Gladstone Catholic High School.

The Marist Sisters began teaching at the primary school around 1972. The school was extended in 1971 and again in 1981. In 1982, the old presbytery was taken down. The Sisters of Mercy moved to a new convent in 1983.

What the Buildings Look Like

The Our Lady Star of the Sea church and school are on a high spot. They overlook the harbor in Gladstone. The ground slopes down on the eastern side. A stone wall supports the ground there, making the church look even more impressive.

The Church Building

The church is a timber building with a Gothic style. It has a cross shape when viewed from above. There are gabled porches with decorative timber posts. The roof has a modern metal covering. A small tower, called a fleche, is at the center of the roof.

The church has an octagonal (eight-sided) sanctuary. This area is lit by beautiful stained glass windows. There are large rooms called sacristies on each side of the sanctuary. All the windows are tall and narrow, called lancet windows. A special stone, called a foundation stone, is at the base of the eastern side.

The School Building

The school is made of light red brick with a tiled roof. It was built in three stages. The oldest part is on the east side and is three stories tall. This first section is the most historically important part of the school. It has a sloped roof and brick balconies. There's also a tower with a stairwell, lit by glass panels. Another foundation stone is in this stairwell tower. The newer parts of the school were built in the 1970s and 1981. They match the style of the original building.

Why This Place is Important

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church & School was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. It's important for several reasons:

• Shows Queensland's History: The church and school show how Gladstone and the Catholic Church grew in Queensland. The church is the only one in Gladstone that survived the 1949 cyclone. When the first part of the school was finished in 1949, it was considered one of the most modern schools in Queensland. This shows how much Gladstone was developing then.
• Beautiful Design: Both buildings are in a noticeable location. Their design, size, and materials make them an important part of Gladstone's look.
• Strong Community Connection: Both buildings have a strong link to the Catholic community in Gladstone. They have served many generations of people. The school is likely a major work by architect Frank Cullen.