St Mary's Church, Ipswich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Ipswich |
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St Mary's Church, pictured in 2020
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| 27°36′36″S 152°45′22″E / 27.61°S 152.7561°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 25 October 1858 |
| Founder(s) | Archbishop John Bede Polding |
| Dedication | Mary, mother of Jesus |
| Consecrated | 2 October 1904 by Cardinal James Freeman |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Andrea Stombuco (Presbytery) Francis Drummond Greville Stanley (Church) |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Neo-Classical / Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1874–1970s |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Ipswich |
| Archdiocese | Brisbane |
St Mary's Church is a very old and important Roman Catholic church in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It is located on Mary Street in the area called Woodend. This church and its surrounding buildings were built over many years, starting in 1874 and continuing into the 1970s. It is also known for being the former St Brigids Convent. Because of its history and special design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
The very first Catholic church in Ipswich was built around 1849. It was a simple building made of wood and shingles. You could find it at the corner of Mary Street and Elizabeth Street.
Building the First Stone Church
On October 25, 1858, a new stone church began to be built. John Bede Polding, who was the Archbishop of Sydney, laid the first stone. William Holloway Chambers designed this church. John Petrie built it, and it cost about £7000. The first church service was held on December 4, 1860. It was led by Reverend W. McGinty. The church was officially dedicated later by Cardinal James Darcy Freeman.
A New, Bigger Church for a Growing Community
By the late 1800s, Ipswich was growing. The second St Mary's Church was not big enough for all the people. So, Father Andrew Horan and the Catholic community decided to build an even larger church.
The first stone for this new church was laid on October 28, 1900, by Archbishop Dunne. The church was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley. Its design was similar to St Joseph's Cathedral, Rockhampton. While the new church was being built, the St Mary's Parish Hall was used for church services. The new church was officially opened on October 2, 1904. Cardinal Francis Moran, the third archbishop of Sydney, led the dedication. Amazingly, within seven years, the community had paid off the £40,000 cost of the church!
The Oldest Building: St Mary's Presbytery
The first house for the priests, called a presbytery, was a small wooden cottage built in 1860. But by the 1870s, it was in very bad shape. The church members and Father Andrew Horan decided to build a stronger, more lasting building.
The current presbytery was built in 1876. It was designed by Andrea Stombuco, an Italian architect. He had moved to Brisbane in 1875. This presbytery is the oldest building in the St Mary's Church area. It was built in a Neo-Classical style using stone. The inside and outside were covered with a special plaster.
What St Mary's Church Looks Like
St Mary's Church today is a large building made of sandstone. It is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features pointed arches and tall spires. The church's design is based on St Joseph's Cathedral, Rockhampton, which was designed by FDG Stanley.
The main part of the church is shaped like a rectangle. It has a central area called a nave and side sections called aisles. At the front, there are two tall spires. A rectangular part at the back of the church was built using stone from the older 1859 church. This stone looks a bit rougher.
The Presbytery's Design
St Mary's Presbytery is a two-story stone building. It looks like an Italian villa. Andrea Stombuco designed it. It has a rectangular shape. Inside, there is a staircase that leads to four rooms on each floor.
Why St Mary's Church is Important
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church and its surrounding buildings were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means they are very important to Queensland's history and culture.
Showing Queensland's History
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This large church area started in the late 1850s. It became the main Catholic site in Ipswich. The way St Mary's Church grew shows how Ipswich itself developed. This was especially true during the 1800s and early 1900s.
A Great Example of Church Buildings
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The church complex is a good example of a Catholic area from the 1800s and early 1900s. It still has its church, presbytery, parish hall, school buildings, and convent. The church's location and the beautiful design of its buildings make it a special example of a church area in Queensland.
Beautiful and Important to the Community
St Mary's Church is a well-known landmark in Ipswich. It has great beauty and is very important to the community. Many of its buildings are significant on their own. St Mary's Church is a strong example of a Gothic Revival church from the early 1900s. The presbytery is a beautiful example of an Italian villa style building. This style was good for the warm climate of Brisbane. This building also shows the excellent work of the famous Catholic architect, Andrea Giovanni Stombuco. The school buildings, parish hall, and convent are also fine buildings with great architectural beauty.
Connected to Important People
St Mary's Catholic Church is important because of its connection to Father Andrew Horan. He was the Parish Priest of St Mary's from 1872 to 1924. Father Horan oversaw the building of the church. He is buried and remembered inside the church.
