St Mary's by the Sea, Port Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's by the Sea |
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St Mary's by the Sea, 2020
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| 16°28′46″S 145°27′44″E / 16.4795°S 145.4621°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Non-denominational (since 1988) |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic (1914–1988) |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St Mary's Roman Catholic Church |
| Status | Church |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1913–1914 |
St Mary's by the Sea is a beautiful old church located in Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia. It's a special building because it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of history.
This church was built between 1913 and 1914. It used to be a Roman Catholic church, but now it's a non-denominational church. This means people from different Christian faiths can use it.
Contents
History of St Mary's by the Sea
Early Days in Port Douglas
The first St Mary's Church was built in 1914. It replaced an older Roman Catholic church. That first church was destroyed by a big cyclone in March 1911.
Port Douglas started in 1877 as a port. It helped transport goods from the Hodgkinson goldfield to the west. For many years, it was a busy port for mining and a service center for local farms.
The Church and the Community
The Catholic Church started working in North Queensland in 1877. At first, priests were sent to help Aboriginal communities. But soon, many European settlers arrived, including lots of Irish Catholics. So, the priests also served the new towns.
The first small chapel in Port Douglas was set up in 1878. By 1881, a church was built on Port Hill. This was done with the help of Father Pierre-Marie Bucas.
Changes and Challenges
Port Douglas grew faster than Cairns at first. But in 1885, a decision was made to build the main railway line to the Atherton Tableland in Cairns. This made Cairns grow quickly, and Port Douglas became less important.
Trade between Port Douglas and the mining areas slowed down a lot after 1893. It almost stopped when the railway reached Mount Molloy in 1908.
Then, a very strong cyclone hit Port Douglas on March 16, 1911. It destroyed much of the town. The local newspaper said the church and the priest's house were "blown to bits." The priest's house was rebuilt first. Church services were held there until the new church was finished in 1914.
Port Douglas Recovers
Even after the cyclone, Port Douglas recovered. It became a sugar port from the 1890s until 1958. The town was also the main administrative center for the Shire of Douglas until the 1920s. Then, the main office moved to Mossman.
Over time, the Catholic parish changed. In 1932, the priest moved to Mossman. Two years later, the parish was renamed "Mossman and Port Douglas."
A New Purpose for the Church
In the 1960s and 1970s, Port Douglas was mainly a fishing and holiday town. It kept its old charm. But in the 1980s, it became a popular tourist spot. This brought many new buildings and changes.
By then, St Mary's Church was old and needed repairs. It was also too small for the growing community. In 1987, the Catholic Church gave the building to the local community. They asked that it still be used for Christian purposes.
As a special Bicentennial Project in 1988, the church was moved. It was carefully taken to a park by the sea. The old church site was sold to help pay for a new Catholic church elsewhere. After it was moved, the old St Mary's Church was repaired and renamed St Mary's by the Sea. Today, it's used by the community for weddings, carol services, and other special events.
What St Mary's by the Sea Looks Like
St Mary's by the Sea is a small, wooden church. It's built in the Gothic style. You can find it on the foreshore at Wharf Street, close to Pier 319.
The church is made of timber. You can see the wooden frame on the outside. It sits on low wooden stumps. The roof is very steep and covered with corrugated iron.
The building is shaped like a rectangle. It has a small room called a vestry at the back corner. At the front, there's a small central porch. This porch has a gabled roof, also covered in corrugated iron. It has an entrance on the side and gets light from three tall, narrow windows called lancet windows.
The side walls of the church are supported by simple wooden buttresses. The main timbers used for the floor and frame were strong woods like hickory ash and penda. The original wall covering was northern silky oak, but much of it and the floor have been replaced over time.
Inside the church, you can see the roof structure. There are three archways made of timber. These arches separate the main part of the church (the nave) from the area where the altar is (the sanctuary).
Why St Mary's by the Sea is Important
St Mary's by the Sea was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical place.
Showing Queensland's History
- The church was built in 1914. It shows how Port Douglas grew in its early days.
- It also shows how the Catholic Church developed in North Queensland.
- It's one of the oldest buildings in Port Douglas. It helps us see what the town looked like before it became a big tourist spot.
A Good Example of a Church Building
- St Mary's is a great example of a simple church. It was built to serve a small community in a faraway area.
- Its simple design and small size show how communities dealt with cyclones. They often reused materials from damaged buildings.
Special Meaning to the Community
- St Mary's has a strong connection to the Catholic community in the area. It has served the people of Port Douglas for many years.
- In 1988, the community showed how much they cared about the church. They worked together to save it and move it to a new location. This made it a special community building.
