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 special old church located in Stuart, Queensland, Australia. It's a Roman Catholic church that was built way back in 1904. This church is so important that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design.
Contents
The Story of St Brigid's Church
Building the Church in 1904
St Brigid's Church was built in 1904. It was located in a place then called Stewart's Creek, which is now known as Stuart. The builders were Doig & Ritchie from Townsville. They also made eight wooden pews for people to sit on. The beautiful pine altar and other furniture were made by Rooney and Co.
A Long Wait for a Church
The land for the church was bought in 1885 by Father William Mason Walsh. He was the local priest in Townsville. Even though the land was ready, it took almost 20 years to build the church. This shows that the local Catholic community didn't have a lot of money back then. The church cost about £225 to build and furnish.
Opening Day and New Parishes
The church officially opened on October 2, 1904. The Right Reverend Dr. Murray, who was a special church leader from Cooktown, traveled all the way from Cairns to Townsville just for the opening.
In 1904, Stewart's Creek was part of the St Joseph's church area in Townsville. Later, it became part of other church areas like West End and Mundingburra. Finally, in 1945, Stewart's Creek became its own separate church area, called a parish.
A New Home for the Priest
Father TA Kelly was the first priest assigned to the new Stewart's Creek parish. In 1946, a house for the priest, called a presbytery, was built next to the church. It cost about £1,680.
Keeping the Church Strong
Over the years, the church has been painted many times to keep it looking good. In 1974, the old wooden supports under the church were replaced with strong steel pipes. Because people have taken such good care of it, the church still looks much like it did when it was first built in 1904.
What St Brigid's Church Looks Like
Church Design and Features
St Brigid's Church was built in 1904. It stands in a quiet, almost country-like area facing Flinders Highway (Stuart Drive). It's a traditional building made of timber and corrugated iron. It has Gothic features, which were popular during the Federation era.
The outside walls are made of special timber boards called chamferboards. You can see the wooden frame of the building, which is strengthened with diagonal braces and timber supports called buttresses. The front of the church has a decorative gable with plain bargeboards and a fancy fretwork panel. Two sets of wooden stairs lead up to an open porch with railings. A small room called a sacristy is attached to the north side. The whole church 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, a common Gothic style. The ceiling is made of timber and shaped like a vault. The original wooden pews, where people sit, are still there.
The Presbytery and Grounds
The presbytery, the house built for the priest in 1946, is also on the church grounds. It's 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 inside, and each room has French doors that open to a wide verandah. This verandah was once open but has since been enclosed with windows. The roof is made of corrugated metal.
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. 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 Special
A Piece of Queensland's Past
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 big city in the region.
A Great Example of Church Design
This church is a wonderful example of a timber church with a gabled roof and exposed timber frame. It has a timber vaulted ceiling and Gothic designs, like its pointed windows. It's very similar to other Catholic churches built around that time in places like Brandon and Torrens Creek. Most of its original furniture, including the carved timber altar and wooden pews, are still there.
Beautiful and Appealing
St Brigid's Church is a beautiful timber church that combines style with simplicity. It looks very pleasing in the landscape along the Flinders Highway.
