St Joseph's Convent, Cairns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Joseph's Convent, Cairns |
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St Joseph's Convent, 2001
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| Location | 179 Abbott Street, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1912 - 1914 |
| Architect | Edward Gregory Waters |
| Architectural style(s) | Gothic |
| Official name: St Joseph's Convent | |
| Type | state heritage (built, landscape) |
| Designated | 1 July 1997 |
| Reference no. | 601749 |
| Significant period | 1910s-1920s (historical) ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | garden/grounds, furniture/fittings, trees/plantings, gate - entrance, convent/nunnery, views to, fencing |
| Builders | Wilson & Baillie |
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St Joseph's Convent is a special old building in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It's known as a convent, which is a place where nuns live and work. This historic building is located at 179 Abbott Street. It was designed by an architect named Edward Gregory Waters and built between 1912 and 1914. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on July 1, 1997.
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A Look Back in Time: The Convent's History
St Joseph's Convent was built for the Sisters of Mercy. This group of nuns first came to Cairns in 1892. The building you see today, finished in 1914, replaced two smaller convents that were there before.
The idea for a new, bigger convent came from Bishop James Murray. He was a very important church leader in the Cooktown area from 1898 to 1914. Building St Joseph's Convent was seen as one of his greatest achievements.
The new convent was designed by Edward Gregory Waters, who was an architect, engineer, and surveyor. Sadly, Bishop Murray passed away on February 13, 1914, just before the convent officially opened. The building was opened by James Duhig, who was the Archbishop of Brisbane, on March 22, 1914.
What Does It Look Like?
St Joseph's Convent is a two-story building. It has a rectangular shape with an extra section on one side. The building is made from strong reinforced concrete.
- It has wide verandahs (porches) all around on both the ground and first floors.
- There's a large, two-story entrance portico (a covered entrance) with a pointed roof.
- The roofs of the building are gabled, meaning they have a triangular shape at the ends.
Along Lake Street, you can still see the original fence. It's made of a low concrete wall with concrete posts and metal mesh panels in between. There's also a special Gothic-styled concrete archway that lines up with the main entrance door. The building itself is set back from Lake Street, with a grassy area in front and tall trees on either side of the concrete path leading to the entrance.
Why Is St Joseph's Convent Important?
St Joseph's Convent is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register for several reasons. It helps us understand the history of Cairns and Queensland.
Catholic Faith and Education
The convent is very important because it shows how the Catholic faith and Catholic education grew in Cairns. It has been a key part of the community since the early 1900s.
- Along with St Monica's Old Cathedral, the convent is part of a group of church buildings that are still in great condition. They help tell the story of the Catholic Church and its schools in the area.
A Strong Design for the Tropics
The convent is a fantastic example of the work of architect Edward Gregory Waters. It also shows how buildings in Cairns started to be made from reinforced concrete. This material was chosen because it was thought to be stronger and safer during cyclones, which are common in Cairns.
Beautiful and Unique
Even though some parts have been updated, the convent still looks much like it did when it was built. It's a great example of a convent designed for a tropical climate. Its reinforced concrete construction is especially interesting because it was built to be more resistant to cyclones than buildings made of stone or brick.
- St Joseph's Convent is near Bishop's House and St Monica's High School Administration Building. These buildings, all from before 1945, have similar sizes and materials. Together, they make Cairns look special and help tell the city's story.
Connected to Important People
The convent is important because of its strong connection to the Sisters of Mercy. They worked hard to expand Catholic education in far North Queensland. For over 80 years, the convent has been a special place for the local Catholic community because of the Sisters of Mercy's work.
- It also shows the work of the Augustinian fathers and Bishop Murray. Bishop Murray encouraged the building of many Catholic churches, schools, convents, and homes for priests throughout far North Queensland in the early 1900s.
