Old St Stephens Church, Gothic Revival church in Brisbane, Australia
Old St Stephens Church is a sandstone building in Brisbane with a rectangular nave, square chancel, and pointed lancet windows. The structure follows English designs for small churches and retains its original configuration from the period of construction.
The church opened in 1850 and served as Brisbane's cathedral beginning in 1859 until the growing Catholic population needed a larger building. It marks the beginning of organized Catholic presence in the city.
The church represents early Catholic settlement in Brisbane and shows how faith took root in the developing city. Visitors can sense the spiritual importance this place held for generations of worshippers.
The building is located in downtown Brisbane and easy to reach by public transport. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions and wear comfortable walking shoes.
The building displays construction methods from the 1800s and preserves design elements by the prominent architect Augustus Pugin. These details make it a rare example of early European church design in Australia.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.