As we celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the opening and blessing of the Cathedral of St Stephen, we take you on a journey through rich tapestry of history of the Cathedral as the heart of sacramental and liturgical life in the Archdiocese. From its solemn dedication and blessing in 1874 to its present-day role in a renewed mission for the vibrant Cathedral community, the Cathedral of St. Stephen continues to inspire as a cultural, spiritual, and civic icon of the Archdiocese and the city of Brisbane.
Discover the vibrant festivities commemorating this significant milestone here.
Celebrating 150 Years of the Cathedral of St Stephen
This year the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane is celebrating its 150th Anniversary. Hello, my name is Helen, and I am one of the Guides and Welcomers here at St Stephen’s Cathedral and today I am very happy to take you on a journey through some of the history of this remarkable building, which opened its doors in 1874.
This Cathedral has been central to Catholic life in Brisbane since the earliest days of European settlement in Moreton Bay. After Brisbane was opened to Free Settlers in 1842, the population grew rapidly, including that of the Irish, who were predominately Catholic. When Bishop James Quinn, the first Bishop of the Diocese, arrived from Ireland in 1861 he realised the small church that had served the community since 1850, could no longer accommodate the growing number of Catholic faithful. Immediately he began making plans for a new and much larger Cathedral.
However, it wasn’t until thirteen years later in 1874, that the new cathedral was officially opened, blessed and dedicated, despite the fact the building was not finished and the scaffolding was still in place. It took another ten years for the spires and the façade to be completed and then a further three years for the interior stained-glass windows from France and Germany, and the marble altar from Italy to be installed.
For the next 36 years there were no major structural changes to the cathedral building itself. However, during this time the Diocese of Brisbane was elevated to a Metropolitan See in 1887 and the Bishop at the time, Bishop Dunne, was elevated to Archbishop. In the early 20th century there were significant changes to both the leadership of the church in Brisbane and to the Cathedral itself. In 1917 Coadjutor Archbishop James Duhig was appointed Archbishop of the Brisbane Diocese, a position he held for an extraordinary 48 years during times of great change, both within the Church and in society itself.
The next major Cathedral development occurred in 1922, when the transepts were added, which completed the gothic cruciform shape of the building. With the transepts came the installation of the magnificent East Window above the altar. Also known as The Ascension Window, it was designed and crafted in Dublin in the studios of the celebrated Irish stained-glass artist, Harry Clarke.
However, it was the renovations of 1988 – 89 which radically changed the interior design of the Cathedral, and which gives it the appearance it has today. These renovations were carried out by the respected Brisbane architect, Robin Gibson under the guidance of Archbishop Francis Rush. Archbishop Rush was influenced by the theology of Vatican II which chartered a course for the Church to become more open, modern and diverse.
The renovations of 1988-89 reflect Archbishop Rush’s vision to achieve this. Although the interior of the Cathedral changed with the renovations of 1988 – 89, some of the original features have been retained. One example is the central panel of the original 1887 marble altar depicting the Gospel story of Jesus’ encounter with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This panel was reinstated in the newly constructed Blessed Sacrament Chapel in 1989 in the location of the original altar, of which it had been a part. Another illustration is the Baptismal Font, sculptured in Brisbane by John Petrie & Sons, and installed in the Cathedral in 1888. In recent years, it has been relocated to the entrance of the Cathedral where it now serves as the Holy Water Font.
In 2012, the Archdiocese of Brisbane welcomed its current Archbishop, Mark Coleridge. Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Archbishop Coleridge has continued with modifications to the Cathedral. His changes include the refurbishment of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel with the installation of a new Tabernacle and new artworks which were officially blessed in 2017. In another new work, in 2018, Archbishop Coleridge dedicated a new Shrine to Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, located in the north turret of the Cathedral. This Shrine is dedicated to all victims and survivors of sexual abuse.
As we mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of St Stephen’s Cathedral on the 17th of May this year, we don’t just look back at what has been built and achieved; we also look to the future. St Stephen’s Cathedral stands as a living testament to faith, hope, and unity, continuing to serve as a gathering place for all who seek peace and fellowship within its space.