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 |
| 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 historic Roman Catholic church in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It is located on Mary Street in the area of Woodend. This church was built over many years, from 1874 into the 1970s. It is also known as the former St Brigids Convent. The church and its surrounding buildings are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means they are important historical sites.
Contents
Early Days of St Mary's
The very first Catholic church in Ipswich was built around 1849. It was a simple building made of wooden slabs and shingles. You could find it at the corner of Mary Street and Elizabeth Street.
Building a New Church
On October 25, 1858, a very important person named John Bede Polding, who was the Archbishop of Sydney, laid the first stone for a new, stronger church. This special stone is called a "foundation stone." The first church service, known as "mass," was held on Sunday, December 4, 1860. Reverend W. McGinty led this service.
The official dedication of the church, called a "consecration," happened later. It was performed by Cardinal James Darcy Freeman. This event had to wait for the first Bishop of Brisbane, James Quinn, to arrive.
The Presbytery Building
The first house for the priest, 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 the priest at that time, Father Andrew Horan, decided they needed a much better building.
The current presbytery was built in 1876. It was designed by an Italian architect named Andrea Stombuco. He had moved to Brisbane in 1875. This presbytery is the oldest building in the St Mary's Church area. It was built using stone and covered inside and out with a special plaster called Portland cement. Its style is called Neo-Classical.
St Mary's Church Buildings
St Mary's Church is part of a larger group of buildings. These include the church itself, the presbytery (where the priest lives), a parish hall, school buildings, and a convent (a place where nuns live).
The Presbytery Design
The presbytery is a two-story stone building. It looks like an Italian villa, which is a type of large country house. Andrea Stombuco designed it. The building has a rectangular shape. Inside, a staircase leads to four rooms on each floor.
Why St Mary's is Important
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church and its surrounding area were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it is recognized as a very important historical site for several reasons.
A Look into Queensland's Past
The St Mary's Church area was set up in the late 1850s. It became the main Catholic site in Ipswich. The way St Mary's grew and developed shows how Ipswich itself changed over time, especially in the 1800s and early 1900s.
A Great Example of a Church Complex
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This group of buildings is a good example of a Catholic complex from the 1800s and early 1900s. It has a church, presbytery, hall, school buildings, and a convent. The site is easy to see from far away, and the buildings are very well designed. This makes it a great example of a church area in Queensland.
Beautiful Architecture
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The St Mary's complex is a landmark in Ipswich. This means it's a well-known and important place that people recognize. It has a lot of beauty and social importance. Many of the buildings and features are beautiful and well-designed.
The church itself is a good example of Gothic Revival style 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. The presbytery is also important because it shows the great work of the famous Catholic architect, Andrea Giovanni Stombuco. The school buildings, parish hall, and convent are also fine buildings with great architectural design.
Connection to the Community
St Mary's Catholic Church is important because of its strong 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.
