Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Thursday Island

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church stands at 120 Douglas Street and features Gothic Revival architecture with a gabled roof and timber frame construction. The interior contains one large rectangular space divided into a nave and sanctuary.

French and Italian priests from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart established this church in 1885 as the first Catholic mission in Torres Strait. It subsequently served as a departure point for Catholic missions to British New Guinea.

The interior features stained glass windows and wall paintings created by David Sing in 1935 using trompe-l'oeil techniques that trick the eye. These artworks continue to define the visual character of the worship space today.

The main entrance on Douglas Street provides access to the building, and visitors can easily appreciate the timber frame construction and structural details from outside. Allow time to examine the interior furnishings and artistic elements carefully.

It remains the oldest surviving building on Thursday Island, standing from an era when the island was a central point for Catholic activity in the region. The structure has endured over more than a century and continues to reflect that important chapter in local history.

Location: Queensland

GPS coordinates: -10.58360,142.21540

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:09