St Patrick's Church, Fortitude Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Patrick's Church,Fortitude Valley |
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St Patrick's Church, 2019
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| 27°27′28″S 153°02′18″E / 27.4577°S 153.0382°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | September 1880 |
| Founder(s) | Bishop James O'Quinn |
| Dedication | Saint Patrick |
| Consecrated | 3 December 1882 by Archbishop Robert Dunne |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Andrea Giovanni Stombuco |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1880–1882 |
| Construction cost | £6,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Porphyry, dressed with sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Stephen's Cathedral Parish |
| Archdiocese | Brisbane |
St Patrick's Church is a historic Roman Catholic church located in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia. It was designed by Andrea Giovanni Stombuco and built between 1880 and 1882. This beautiful stone church is an important part of Queensland's history and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
Why Was St Patrick's Church Built?
In the 1860s, many Irish Catholic families moved to Queensland. They often settled in areas like Fortitude Valley. As more people arrived, the local Catholic community grew very quickly.
The first St Patrick's Church, built in 1861, became too small. So, a new, much larger church was needed to serve the growing number of people.
Designing and Building the Church
The new St Patrick's Church was a big project. It was one of the last large stone churches built under Bishop James O'Quinn. He was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Brisbane.
Bishop O'Quinn believed that new churches should be grand and built in the Gothic style. This style was meant to show the strength of the Catholic faith.
The land for the church was bought around 1880. In September of that year, a large crowd gathered to watch Bishop O'Quinn lay the first foundation stone.
The church was designed by Andrea Giovanni Stombuco, a talented architect and sculptor. He planned for the church to hold 1500 people.
The building contract went to John Arthur Manis O'Keefe. The church was built using local porphyry stone and sandstone from Murphys Creek. It was finished in 1882. The original design included a tall tower, but it was never built.
On December 3, 1882, the church was officially opened by Archbishop Robert Dunne.
Special Features and Changes Over Time
When the church was first built, it had many special features.
- An organ was built by Thomas Christmas, a local expert.
- In 1886, a bell was placed in the church grounds. This bell was a gift from a church member, Thomas Reedy.
- The main altar was made from New Zealand Oamaru stone and designed by Stombuco.
- Other additions included a wooden pulpit and side altars.
- A large, beautiful stained glass window from France was installed in the eastern wall. It shows the Resurrection of Jesus.
For many years, St Patrick's was a very important church for the Irish Catholic community. However, after the Second World War, fewer families lived in Fortitude Valley. This meant the local church community became smaller.
Later, some parts of the church were updated.
- The side altars and altar rails were changed to marble.
- New marble flooring was added in the chancel (the area around the altar).
- After the Vatican II meetings in the 1960s, a new altar was placed in the middle of the church. This made it easier for people to see the service.
- The old belfry is no longer there, but the original bell is still on the site, held up by a steel frame.
Around 1990, St Patrick's parish was joined with St Stephen's Cathedral parish. Today, the church is still very active. Many people from all over Brisbane come for Sunday services, weddings, and baptisms.
What St Patrick's Church Looks Like
St Patrick's Church is a large, impressive stone building. It is built in the Gothic style, which means it has pointed arches and strong, tall walls.
The church is made from rough porphyry stone. It has three main sections at the front, each with a steeply sloped roof. The walls have buttresses, which are supports that stick out. There are also large pointed windows and doors.
The stone around the windows and doors is smooth sandstone. The windows have colored glass in a diamond pattern.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church is very grand.
- The main area, called the nave, is separated from the side sections (aisles) by strong octagonal columns. These columns support pointed arches.
- The ceiling is made of timber and has exposed wooden beams.
- Above the altar, there is a large stained glass window showing the Resurrection of Jesus.
- The main altar is made of beautifully carved Oamaru stone. It sits on a marble base.
- There are also marble altars at the ends of the side sections.
- At the other end of the church, there is a raised area for the choir and the organ. It has a spiral staircase.
- The organ itself has richly carved wooden details.
- The church has many beautiful furnishings. These include wooden pews with Gothic designs, a marble baptismal font, and a special stand for holy water.
The Church Grounds
Outside the church, you can find:
- The original bell, hanging from a steel frame.
- A stone memorial in the middle of a circular driveway.
- Several large, old fig trees.
St Patrick's is a wonderful example of a stone church from the late 1800s. It has many beautiful details, including its stained glass windows and carved elements made from timber, Oamaru stone, and marble.
Why St Patrick's Church is Important
St Patrick's Church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it is very important for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed. The church shows how the Catholic Church grew in Queensland in the late 1800s. It was one of many large churches built as Fortitude Valley grew.
- It is a great example of its type. It shows what a large, Gothic-style stone church from the late 19th century in Brisbane looked like.
- It is beautiful. People value the church for its grand look and its detailed design. The inside is impressive, with beautiful stained glass windows, carved wood, and marble.
- It is important to the community. For over a hundred years, St Patrick's has been a central place for Catholic worship in Fortitude Valley. It has a strong connection to the local Catholic community, especially those of Irish heritage.
- It is linked to important people and groups. The church is connected to the work of the Catholic Church in Brisbane and to the architect Andrea Stombuco.
