St Patrick's Church, Mount Perry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Patrick's Church, Mount Perry |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
St Patricks Church, 2009
|
|
| 25°10′47″S 151°38′32″E / 25.1798°S 151.6421°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Consecrated | 12 February 1905 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | F H Faircloth |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1904 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Timber |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Childers |
| Archdiocese | Brisbane |
St Patrick's Church is a beautiful and historic Catholic church located in Mount Perry, Australia. It was designed by the architect F H Faircloth and built by John Guthrie in 1904. This special church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 because of its importance.
Contents
A Look Back: History of St Patrick's
St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was built in 1904. At that time, Mount Perry was a very important town known for its copper mining.
Early Days of Mount Perry
Mount Perry is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Bundaberg. The town started after copper was found there in 1869. The first Catholic priest to visit Mount Perry was Father James Horan in 1870. He helped plan for a church, but it was finished by Father C. Rossolini after Father Horan left in 1872. We don't know exactly what that first church looked like.
The town grew quickly in the early 1870s. Many hotels opened, showing that a lot of single men worked in the mines. However, the copper mine stopped working in 1877. It was sold in 1878, with people hoping it would reopen when the Mount Perry railway line was finished.
Growth and Changes in the Town
The railway line was completed in 1884, connecting Mount Perry to Bundaberg. Mount Perry became a major center for the Upper Burnett area. It had nine hotels, a courthouse, a hospital, and a School of Arts. But after a period of growth, the town faced challenges. The mine closed in 1891 because copper prices dropped. Father Rossolini, who had moved to Bundaberg, passed away in 1893. Father Mimnagh took over and continued to serve Mount Perry.
Things improved when the Queensland Copper Company bought the mine in 1898. This brought new life to the town. By 1904, about 2,000 people lived in the mining area. An Anglican church was built in 1903, showing the town's growth. The first Catholic church was likely too small by then.
Building the New Church
In August 1904, plans were made for a new church. Bundaberg architect F. H. Faircloth designed it. The estimated cost was about £500.
Frederic Herbert Faircloth was a well-known architect from Bundaberg. He designed many important buildings in the area. He also helped rebuild parts of Childers after a big fire in 1902.
The old Mount Perry church was sold in 1904. The new St Patrick's Church was completed by builder John Guthrie in 1905. The total cost, including furniture, was £667. St Patrick's was officially opened on February 12, 1905. Over 400 people from nearby areas attended the special event. Soon after, Mount Perry became its own separate church parish.
Later Years and Today
After the new church was built, the demand for copper decreased. Many mines closed, and the smelters in Mount Perry shut down in 1915. The town's population shrank, and many buildings were taken down or moved. Mount Perry then became part of the Gayndah parish.
The parish reopened in 1939 with Father Frawley. In September of that year, Archbishop James Duhig visited Mount Perry. Over the years, Mount Perry has been part of different parishes, including Gin Gin and Childers. Today, it is part of the Gin Gin parish, and a priest visits from that town.
The church building itself has not changed much over time. Old photos show a wooden bell tower next to the church. That tower is gone now, and the bell is on a simple frame.
What St Patrick's Church Looks Like
.jpg)
St Patrick's Church is a timber-framed building built on a high spot. It stands out and is a key part of the Mount Perry town view.
The church has a rectangular shape. It includes a main area called the nave and narrower sections on the sides called aisles. The outside walls are covered with weatherboards. At the western end, there's a section with a pointed roof (a gable) that holds a staircase. This staircase leads up to the choir loft. On either side of this section are two porches with stairs.
The two main entrance doors are arched. This arch shape is also seen in the decorative wooden work on the porches and the gables of the main roof. At the eastern end of the church are the sanctuary (the holy area) and a small room called the vestry. The vestry has its own entrance on the north side. The roof is steep and covered with corrugated iron. Crosses are placed at the ends of the main roof and the entrance porch roof.
The church gets light from tall, narrow windows called lancet windows. These windows have wooden frames and are placed sometimes alone, sometimes in pairs. The three lancet windows in the sanctuary have beautiful stained glass.
The inside of the church is very well preserved. The clear finish on the wooden walls and the painted decorations look just like they did when the church was first built. The original light fixtures, door handles, and furniture are still there. This includes the altar, pews (church benches), statues, and a small harmonium (a type of organ).
Why St Patrick's Church is Important
St Patrick's Church was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 for several reasons:
A Link to Queensland's Past
St Patrick's Church shows how Mount Perry grew as an important copper mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also shows how the Catholic faith developed in the Brisbane area.
A Great Example of Church Design
The church is a good example of the "Carpenter Gothic" architectural style. This style uses wood to create designs often seen in grander stone churches.
Beautiful and Important to the Town
The building is very beautiful and well-designed. Its shape, size, materials, and details make it an important part of the Mount Perry town view. St Patrick's Church is still mostly original, with many of its first furnishings and finishes.
Special to the Community
The church has a strong connection with the local Catholic community. It has been a place for Catholic worship and social gatherings throughout the 1900s and continues to be so.
