St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba |
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St Patricks Cathedral, in 2014
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| 27°34′11″S 151°57′13″E / 27.5696°S 151.9535°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 13 May 1883 (Whit Sunday) |
| Founder(s) | Archbishop Robert Dunne |
| Dedication | Saint Patrick |
| Consecrated | 17 March 1889 (St Patrick's Day) |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | James Marks |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Victorian Gothic |
| Years built | 1883–1935 |
| Construction cost | A£8,500 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 61 metres (200 ft) |
| Width | 31 metres (102 ft) |
| Height | 17 metres (56 ft) |
| Materials | Blue stone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Toowoomba |
St Patrick's Cathedral is a historic Roman Catholic church in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It is located on James Street in South Toowoomba. The cathedral was designed by architect James Marks. It was built over many years, from 1883 to 1935.
The land where the cathedral stands was first used for a church and school called St Patrick's Church School. In 1899, the school moved to make space for the new cathedral. It was later renamed St Saviour's School. St Patrick's Cathedral was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. Today, it is the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba. It is where the Bishop of Toowoomba, currently Kenneth Howell, has his official seat.
Contents
History of St Patrick's Cathedral
St Patrick's Cathedral is a large church built in the Victorian Gothic style. It is made from a type of stone called basalt. Architect James Marks designed it for the Catholic community in Toowoomba. Construction took place between 1883 and 1889.
Early Catholic Worship in Toowoomba
In the early 1840s, Catholic church services in the Darling Downs area were often held in homes or inns. Australia's first Catholic Archbishop, John Bede Polding, visited the region in 1843. He traveled with a portable altar, preaching to shepherds.
By 1859, about a quarter of the people in the Darling Downs were Catholic. They wanted a priest to live in the area. In 1862, Father Fulgentius Hodebourg became the first parish priest for Toowoomba.
First Church and School
The first Catholic church in the region was built in Toowoomba in 1863. It was also a school and was known as St Patrick's Church School. This timber building was on the same spot where the cathedral stands today. It marked the beginning of a lasting Catholic presence in the Darling Downs.
In 1868, Father Robert Dunne became the parish priest. Under his leadership, St Patrick's grew. He dreamed of building a grand cathedral. In 1880, extensions were added to the existing church. However, the very next day, St Patrick's Church School was destroyed by fire.
A new timber church was quickly built by volunteers within two weeks. This new church was only meant to be temporary.
Building the Stone Cathedral
When Father Dunne left for Ireland in 1881, the idea of a grander stone church was still alive. Father Thomas O'Connell took over as parish priest. He was put in charge of the committee to build the new church.
In August 1882, a meeting was held to discuss plans. Archbishop Dunne, who had returned from Ireland, suggested using stone. He encouraged people to build a part of the church that could be used now. More sections could be added later to make it complete. People enthusiastically pledged money for the project.
The foundation stone for the new cathedral was laid on 13 May 1883. James Marks' design was chosen for the new church. He was a well-known architect in Toowoomba. His firm continued to work on buildings until 1962.
Construction and Completion
Building St Patrick's was a big project. It took six years to finish because of material and labor shortages. The original builder, Richard Godsall, passed away. His firm, Godsall & Mayes, completed the work.
The cathedral was finished in 1889. It was officially opened on 17 March 1889, St Patrick's Day. About 2,000 people attended the ceremony. The final cost was £8,500, much more than the original estimate. Local community fundraising helped pay for it.
The cathedral's walls were built from blue stone. Its decorative parts, like buttresses and pinnacles, were made from freestone from Murphy's Creek. It was a very tall and wide building for its time. Newspapers praised its "majestic and stately appearance."
Later Additions and Renovations
The cathedral was not fully complete in 1889. Plans were made to enlarge the chancel and add transepts. Some items, like the chancel window and pulpit, were only temporary.
In 1927, a new brick presbytery (the priest's house) was built next to the cathedral. This replaced the old timber one.
In May 1929, the Diocese of Toowoomba was created. Dr James Byrne became the first Bishop. He wanted to expand St Patrick's even more. In 1930, architect Arthur Bligh was hired. He designed a new tower with a belfry and spire. He also designed a mortuary chapel and sacristies.
Work on these extensions began in 1932, even during the Great Depression. Toowoomba parishioners worked hard to raise money. On 24 March 1935, Archbishop James Duhig officially opened the new cathedral. About 7,000 people attended the ceremony.
In the 1970s, the cathedral needed restoration. The roof and gutters were replaced. The outer walls were sealed and repaired. Inside, the walls were replastered. A timber choir gallery was removed. The marble altar was also moved to fit new church practices.
In the 1980s, the cathedral's stained glass windows were replaced. Parishioners could buy a window pane to honor a family member. In 1989, a new bell tower was built to celebrate the cathedral's 100th anniversary. The Toowoomba City Council donated 35 trees for the cathedral grounds.
More restoration work was done in the 1990s and early 2000s. This included work on the presbytery and the leadlight windows.
Design and Features
St Patrick's Cathedral is located at the corner of James and Neil Streets in Toowoomba. It is a large stone building that stands out on James Street. The cathedral is a great example of the Victorian Gothic style. This style includes steep roofs, buttresses, pinnacles, and pointed arches. The presbytery, made of brick, is next to the cathedral.
Cathedral Structure
The cathedral has a cruciform (cross-shaped) layout. It is about 61 metres (200 ft) long and 31 metres (102 ft) wide. The main roof is steeply pitched and has a stone cross at the front. The roof is currently covered in metal, but it used to be galvanized iron.
The cathedral's walls are made of "hammer dressed square rubble" stone. The decorative parts, like the openings and quoins, are made of sandstone from Murphy's Creek.
The sides of the church have many buttresses. Two tall ones are on the front. They end in octagonal pinnacles. Over the front door is a large leadlight window. It has three sections and a detailed top. Above this is a small, round leadlight window. The windows along the sides of the church have two sections with pointed arches. The upper windows of the nave are sets of three narrow lancet windows.
Inside the Cathedral
You can enter St Patrick's Cathedral from several doors. The main entrance is at the front. Inside, the nave and aisles are separated by pointed arches. These arches are supported by octagonal stone pillars. Above these arches are clerestory windows, which let in light. The walls are painted plaster, but the stone pillars are exposed. Parts of the floor are carpeted, but some areas still show polished timber boards.
The timber roof of the nave is very detailed. It has arched braces and carved decorations. The ceilings of the aisles also have timber designs. The ceiling above the sanctuary is arched and plastered.
The organ is in a corner of the west transept. Before 1972, it was in the sanctuary. Many original pine and cedar pews (benches) are still in the nave and transepts. Marble steps and an altar rail separate the main area from the sanctuary. A marble pulpit (where sermons are given) is in the south-west corner. These were added in the 1930s.
The five windows above the sanctuary were donated by Downlands College. They show scenes of the Sacred Heart. Small chapels with marble altars are on either side of the chancel. The leadlight windows, altar rail, and pulpit are strong examples of the Gothic design inside the cathedral.
Cathedral Grounds
The fence around the cathedral along Neil and James Streets was built in 1931. It has sandstone pillars and low walls with iron railings. A main entry gate and stairs lead to the cathedral's front door on James Street.
There is a large open lawn area at the corner of Neil and James Streets. This area used to have a two-story timber presbytery and large trees. A smaller lawn separates the cathedral from a nearby school. A line of pine trees provides a screen on the western side. A steel belfry and its bell are in the south-western corner of this space.
Other buildings like a parking area, storage shed, preschool, St Patrick's Hall, and the Parish Centre are located south of the cathedral. These are newer additions and are not considered part of the original heritage site.
Why St Patrick's Cathedral is Important
St Patrick's Cathedral was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is a very important historical site.
- History of Queensland: The cathedral shows how the Catholic Church grew in the Toowoomba area. It started as a small timber church and became a large stone cathedral. This shows the growing importance of Catholicism in the Darling Downs region.
- Beautiful Design: St Patrick's is a great example of Victorian Gothic architecture. It is one of the most recognizable and largest stone buildings in Toowoomba. It is a landmark in the city.
- Building Skills: The cathedral is built from basalt stone, which was hard to use for buildings. This shows the high level of building skill in the late 19th century. It is a rare example of a basalt building.
- Community Connection: Since it was built, St Patrick's Cathedral has been the spiritual heart of Catholicism in Toowoomba. It is strongly connected to the priests who served there and the Catholic community who helped build it.
- Architect's Work: The cathedral is also important because of its designer, James Marks. He was a very important architect in Toowoomba in the late 1800s.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Patricio (Toowoomba) para niños
