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.
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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. |
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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.
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.
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 Bishop 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.
The building was consecrated on 3 December 1882 by Bishop 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 Bishop 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.
During the time of Bishop 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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
