St. Mary's Catholic Church, South Brisbane, Roman Catholic church in South Brisbane, Australia
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a Catholic church in South Brisbane featuring classical basilica architecture with a wide central nave, narrow side aisles, and a semicircular chancel. The building displays rounded arches, rose windows, and other traditional architectural elements typical of its era.
Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran laid the foundation stone in 1892, and Archbishop Robert Dunne opened the church in 1893, with construction continuing until 1929. This extended building phase reflected the careful craftsmanship and financial demands of the project.
After World War II, the church became a gathering place for immigrant families from Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, and Slovenia. These communities used the building to maintain their traditions and support each other in their new home.
Access is best during public services, which occur on weekday mornings, Saturday mornings, and Sunday mornings and evenings. Visitors should remember this is an active place of worship and respectful behavior during ongoing activities is important.
The building follows Romanesque Revival style rather than the Gothic Revival style common among 19th-century religious buildings, which sets it apart from many of its contemporaries. This architectural choice gives the space a distinctive look with Roman-inspired elements instead of Gothic features.
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