St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane
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History Timeline


The first Mass celebrated in Brisbane was in mid-May 1843, and was presided over by Archbishop Polding in a temporary chapel in what is now Elizabeth Street.  The Archdiocese of Brisbane celebrated its 150th year in 2009. Snapshots of our story are provided below and more information may be gleaned from the Archdiocese of Brisbane website.
1824 - Penal colony of Moreton Bay established
1842 - Colony declared open for free settlement
1843 - Visit of John Bede Polding OSB, Archbishop of Sydney
An aboriginal mission is established.
1843 - James Hanly, first parish priest, arrives in December
1845 - Land granted for a Roman Catholic Church, school and parsonage.
1848 - St Stephen Chapel work began
Work began on this little stone church in November 1848, using a design of Gothic revival architect, AWN Pugin.
1850 - St Stephen Chapel first Mass
Fr James Hanly celebrated the first Mass in the church on 12 May 1850 when there were just sixty Catholic families in town.
1859 - Brisbane became diocese
In 1859, with the appointment of Bishop James Quinn, Brisbane became a diocese and the church a cathedral.
1860 - The first St Patrick's Church
The first St Patrick’s Church in Fortitude Valley was a wooden structure built around 1860 with a frontage in Wickham Street, opposite where Duncan Street now adjoins it.  This article in the Brisbane Courier dated 29th April 1905 refers to the original church.  
1863 - St Stephen Cathedral foundation stone
​Bishop Quinn, the first bishop of the diocese, laid the foundation stone of the cathedral on the feast of St Stephen.   A larger and more ornate church was envisaged than the present one but the economic depression of the mid-1860s resulted in only part of the original foundations being laid.
Click on the  images to enlarge
1869 - Mary MacKillop arrives to work in Brisbane
1874 -  St Stephen Cathedral solemnly blessed and dedicated
On Sunday, 17 May 1874, the still-incomplete cathedral was solemnly blessed and dedicated. It covered about a third of the area of the one first planned.
1880 - St Patrick's Church foundation stone
​The foundation stone of the present church, in Morgan Street, was laid by Bishop O’Quinn.
1882 - Bishop Robert Dunne is appointed second Bishop of Brisbane
 1882 - St Patrick's Church consecrated
The building was consecrated on 3 December 1882 by Archbishop Dunne.   A Victorian Gothic church comprising a nave and two wide side-aisles, it is constructed of local porphyry, faced with Murphy’s Creek stone. The building was designed by the Italian architect, Andrea Stombuco, who had settled in Brisbane in the 1870s.
1884 - St Stephen Cathedral facade completed
During the time of Archbishop Robert Dunne, the top of the gable and the spires were added to the Elizabeth Street facade in 1884.  Next the cathedral was enriched with stained glass and marble.
1887 - Brisbane is elevated to a Metropolitan See
Bishop Robert Dunne is appointed the second Archbishop of Brisbane
1917- Archbishop James Duhig is appointed the third Archbishop of Brisbane
1920 - St Stephen Cathedral transepts
On 3 October 1920, Archbishop James Duhig laid the foundation stone of new transepts.
1965 - Archbishop Patrick O'Donnell is appointed the fourth Archbishop of Brisbane
1973- Archbishop O'Donnell resigns after turning 75 years and Archbishop Francis Rush is appointed the fifth Archbishop of Brisbane
1980 - St Stephen Cathedral restoration
Archbishop Francis Rush undertook the complete restoration, renovation and extension of the Cathedral during the 1980s
1989 - St Stephen Cathedral dedication
On 4th December 1989  Archbishop Rush dedicates the Cathedral of St Stephen
1991- Archbishop Rush resigns after turning 75 years and Archbishop John  Bathersby is appointed sixth Archbishop of Brisbane
1999 - St Stephen Chapel restored
​Archbishop John Bathersby solemnly dedicated the restored St Stephen’s Chapel on 5 February 1999.
2000 - St Stephen Cathedral organ
​Archbishop John Bathersby blessed the Jubilee Pipe Organ on 29 October 2000
2010 - Mary MacKillop is proclaimed Saint by Pope John Paul II in Rome on 17th October
2011 - Archbishop Bathersby resigns after turning 75 years.
2012 - Archbishop Mark Coleridge is appointed seventh Archbishop of Brisbane
2017 - Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Following the installation of a new tabernacle and artwork, Archbishop Mark Coleridge blesses the refurbished Blessed Sacrament Chapel

2018 - Shrine to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
On 21st October, Archbishop Coleridge blessed the shrine to St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and entrusted all victims and survivors of sexual abuse to the intercession of St Mary MacKillop.​
Picture

The Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane

Most Rev Mark Coleridge - Archbishop of Brisbane
​Very Rev. Fr Anthony Mellor - Dean
249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane   QLD   4000  Australia
​Office Hours:  8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday
​email:  cathedral@bne.catholic.net.au

Tel: (07) 3324 3030
Int: +61 7 3324 3030
Mass Info: (07) 3324 3011
Archdiocese of Brisbane 
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CATHEDRAL CAR PARK
The Cathedral car park is available on weekends for members of the public attending Mass or other ceremonies, eg, baptisms , weddings.   The car park will close 30mins after the conclusion of the Mass  or ceremony.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Welcome
    • Mission Statement
    • History
    • The Saints of our Parish
    • THE PRECINCT >
      • St Stephen's Cathedral
      • St Stephen's Chapel
      • St Patrick's Church
      • Francis Rush Centre
      • Works of Art
    • Safeguarding
    • Leadership & Staff
    • St Patrick's Church, Fortitude Valley
  • COMMUNITY
    • Pastoral & Finance Councils
    • Cathedral Guides & Welcomers
    • MUSIC >
      • Music Department
      • Staff (Music)
      • Service Music
      • Cathedral Choir
      • Schola
      • Chorale
      • The Organs
      • Concert Series
      • Support the Music
    • Young Adult Ministry
    • Cathedral of St Stephen Art Group (COSSAG)
    • St Vincent de Paul Society - Cathedral Conference
    • Liturgical Ministries
    • Other Groups & Ministries
  • MASS & RECONCILIATION
  • SACRAMENTS
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation
    • First Communion
    • Reconciliation
    • Marriage
    • Holy Orders
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • RCIA
    • Funerals
  • NEWS & CALENDAR
    • Newsletters and Prayer Sheets
    • Resources for Prayer At Home
    • Parish Calendar
    • Concert Series
    • For the Common Good
  • CONTACTS & LINKS
    • Contact Details & Location
    • Forms & Downloads
    • Payments & Donations
    • Archdiocese of Brisbane
    • Other Queensland Dioceses
    • The Vatican
    • Policies & Disclaimers
    • Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference
    • Centacare Brisbane
  • STAY CONNECTED