St Brigid's Church, Stuart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Brigid's Church, Stuart |
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St Brigid's Church, 2008
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| 19°20′56″S 146°50′05″E / 19.3489°S 146.8346°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Brigid |
| Dedicated | 2 October 1904 by Right Rev. Dr Murray, Vicar Apostolic of Cooktown |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1904 |
| Construction cost | A£225 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Townsville |
| Diocese | Townsville |
St Brigid's Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Stuart, Queensland, Australia. It was built a long time ago, in 1904. This special building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of Queensland's history and should be protected.
Contents
The Story of St Brigid's Church
St Brigid's Church was built in 1904 in a place then called Stewart's Creek, now known as Stuart. Two builders from Townsville, Doig & Ritchie, constructed the church. They also made eight wooden benches for people to sit on. Another company, Rooney and Co, provided the pine altar and other furniture.
Building the Church
The land for the church was bought in 1885 by Father William Mason Walsh. He was the local priest in Townsville. It took nearly 20 years to build and furnish the church. This shows that the local Catholic community did not have a lot of money at the time. The total cost was about £225.
The church officially opened on October 2, 1904. Right Rev. Dr Murray, who was a special church leader from Cooktown, traveled all the way from Cairns to Townsville just for the opening.
Church Leadership Over Time
In 1904, Stewart's Creek was managed by St Joseph's Church in Townsville. Later, it came under the care of churches in West End and then Mundingburra.
Stewart's Creek became its own separate church area in 1945. Father TA Kelly was the first priest in charge there. A house for the priest, called a presbytery, was built next to the church in 1946. It cost £1,680.
Keeping the Church Strong
The church has been painted many times since it was built in 1904. In 1974, the original wooden supports were replaced with strong steel pipes. Because the church has been so well looked after, it still looks much like it did when it was first built.
What St Brigid's Church Looks Like
St Brigid's Church was built in 1904 and stands in a quiet, almost rural area. It faces Flinders Highway (Stuart Drive) in Stuart. It's a traditional building made of timber and corrugated iron. It has Gothic features, which were popular during the Federation era in Australia.
Outside the Church
The church has a strong wooden frame that you can see from the outside. It's covered with special wooden boards called chamferboards. There are also wooden supports, like buttresses, that help make the building strong.
The front of the church has a pointed roof section called a gable. It has plain wooden boards and a fancy carved panel. Two sets of wooden stairs with railings lead up to an open, decorated porch. A small room called a sacristy is attached to the north side. The whole building stands on modern steel supports.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has a beautifully carved wooden altar. On either side of the altar are two marble angels. The windows are pointed, and the ceiling is made of timber in a vaulted (arched) shape. The original wooden pews (benches) are still there for people to sit on.
The Presbytery and Grounds
The presbytery, the house built for the priest in 1946, is located about 10 meters north-west of the church. It's a unique building with brick walls on a strong concrete frame. It has three rooms that don't connect directly inside. Each room has French doors that open onto a wide verandah (porch) that goes all around the house. This verandah was once open but has since been enclosed with windows and panels.
The church grounds are covered in grass and have several old trees. These include a grey bloodwood, a white fig, a black bean, and an African mahogany tree. Near the front of the churchyard, between the church and the presbytery, there is a steel-framed bell tower with a bell.
Why St Brigid's Church is Important
St Brigid's Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it is recognized as a very important historical place.
Showing History
St Brigid's Church in Stuart is important because it shows how the Catholic Church grew in the Townsville area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This was a time when Townsville was becoming a major city in the region.
A Great Example of Church Design
This church is a wonderful example of a timber church with a pointed roof and visible wooden frame. It has a timber vaulted ceiling and Gothic designs, like its pointed windows. It is very similar to other Catholic churches built around that time.
The church still has most of its original furniture. This includes the beautifully carved wooden altar and the wooden pews.
Beautiful and Appealing
St Brigid's Church is an exceptional timber church. It combines a lovely style with a simple design. It looks very pleasing in the landscape along the Flinders Highway.
