Corpus Christi Church, Nundah

Last updated

Corpus Christi Church
Corpus Christi Church, Nundah.jpg
Corpus Christi Church and gardens in 2015
Corpus Christi Church, Nundah
27°24′14″S153°03′27″E / 27.404°S 153.0575°E / -27.404; 153.0575
Address65 Bage Street, Nundah, City of Brisbane, Queensland
CountryAustralia
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website www.banyonundahcatholic.org.au
History
Status Church
Founded14 June 1925 (1925-06-14)
Consecrated 21 November 1926
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s) Hennessey, Hennessey, Keesing and Co
Architectural typeChurch
Style Romanesque Revival
Years built1925–1926
Construction cost £16,840
Specifications
Materials Brick, terracotta tiles, copper-sheeted dome
Administration
Archdiocese Brisbane
Parish Banyo Nundah
Clergy
Priest(s) Fr Dan Redhead
Official nameCorpus Christi Church
TypeState heritage (landscape, built)
Designated6 July 1995
Reference no.601460
Significant period1920s (historical)
1920s (fabric)
ongoing (social)
Significant componentsViews to, furniture/fittings, views from, confessional, trees/plantings, church, garden/grounds, dome
BuildersStanley Samuel Carrick

Corpus Christi Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church at 65 Bage Street, Nundah, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Hennessey, Hennessey, Keesing and Co and built from 1925 to 1926 by Stanley Samuel Carrick. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 July 1995. [1]

Contents

History

Church entrance, 2015 Corpus Christi Church, Nundah entrance.jpg
Church entrance, 2015

The Corpus Christi Church was constructed in 1925–1926, for the Roman Catholic parish at Nundah, who formerly practiced in a small timber church on another site. The church was constructed under the guidance of the then Archbishop James Duhig, who promoted Catholic presence in Brisbane by exploiting prominent sites, to produce landmarks. Corpus Christi may have been designed as a scale model for the Holy Name Cathedral which was in the planning stages at this time. The architects for the project were Hennessey, Hennessey, Keesing and Co. [1]

Settlement in the Nundah area began with a Moravian mission set up for Aborigines in the area in 1838. Although the mission was closed by 1848 many of the missionaries and their families remained in the Nundah area. In the 1860s a strong German presence was felt in the area, particularly as a result of immigration. The first Lutheran and Methodist services in Queensland were held in Nundah. [1]

It was not until 1903 that the catholic community in the area, who attended church at Wooloowin, Sandgate, or inner city areas, met to discuss the construction of a church. On 19 June 1904 Archbishop Robert Dunne blessed The Church of the Real Presence, and spoke of the momentous occasion, which saw the opening of a Catholic church in what was the birthplace of Protestantism in Queensland. The church cost £ 600, which was paid off before the opening and was located on the corner of Duke Street and Buckland Road. [1]

A strong Catholic presence in Nundah by 1915, dictated the need for a school, and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart were asked to join the parish, to open this school. Previously, property in the area had been purchased by the church as a more suitable church site, due to its position on the crest of a hill. The property previously belonged to a Mr Henry Donkin who had constructed a large house, Marsten, which was used by the sisters as the first school and convent. [1]

A presbytery was built on the grounds of Marsten, soon after 1920, when the Rev Archbishop James Duhig became the registered owner. The first parish priest was Father Jordan, who stayed with the Nundah parish until 1941. Previously, priests cycled from the Wooloowin presbytery to say mass in the small timber church. A site was chosen on the grounds near the school and presbytery for a more imposing church. [1]

Church dome, 2015 Corpus Christi Church, Nundah dome.jpg
Church dome, 2015

It was part of Duhig's grand plan for the development of the Catholic Church in Brisbane that a number of churches be built to manifest the strength of the church. Many of the sites Duhig sought were on hill tops. By 1940, when Duhig had been controlling the estate for twenty-eight years, forty-six new churches in Brisbane had been built since 1912, including St Joseph's at Kangaroo Point, Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola at Toowong and St Agatha's at Clayfield. Duhig favoured certain architects, particular the designers of Corpus Christi, Hennessey and Hennessey, who planned the ill-fated Holy Name Cathedral with the Archbishop. Duhig felt that the construction of churches enhanced the catholic presence and signified the strength and wealth of the church. [1]

Corpus Christi Church was planned to be a golden link in the chain of churches around Brisbane. Some sources state that it was a scale model for the Holy Name Cathedral, which was planned for a site in Ann Street, across the street from All Hallows' School. The design of both of these Hennessey and Hennessey buildings was thought to be reminiscent of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, which has the characteristic dome, surmounted by a lantern and cross. [1]

The laying of the foundation stone of the Corpus Christi Church on 14 June 1925 attracted 20,000 people, who donated £ 2000 to the construction of the church, although the church was not fully paid off until the 1940s. [1]

The church was designed by Hennessey, Hennessey, Keesing and Co, architects in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Jack Hennessy, junior had recently completed the additions to St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, and was a friend and colleague of the archbishop at the time. The work was completed by local contractor, Stanley Samuel Carrick, for a total cost of £ 16,840. Corpus Christi Church was opened on 21 November 1926 in a ceremony which saw eight tiers of lights illuminating the dome. [1]

The original house, Marsten was demolished in 1959 to make way for a new convent. The church remains intact with very little alteration. [1]

Description

Side of the building, 2015 Corpus Christi Church, Nundah side.jpg
Side of the building, 2015

Corpus Christi Church is a brick building situated on the crest of a hill, in Bage Street, Nundah, with expansive views to the north and east. The design of the church was influenced by the Romanesque Revival style, in its massing and detailing. Several large trees and established gardens surround the building. [1]

Corpus Christi Church is a symmetrically composed, polychrome brick building, with traditional Latin Cross plan and a polygonal chancel extending from the western end. The terracotta tiled roof, is gabled over the front and two transept entrances and hipped over the chancel. The dominant feature of the church is the copper sheeted dome, which extends about 100 feet (30 m) above ground level above the junction of the transepts and nave. Surmounted on the dome is an octagonal lantern, with a Celtic cross finial. The dome rests on an octagonal drum, supported square planned arcade. The drum, of polychrome brick, features tripartite arched window openings on each of the eight faces. [1]

The church features polychrome brickwork patterning, including chequer pattern banding on the gables, banding on external columns, dark brick quoining and a dark brick plinth. The external walls are buttressed with shallow attached piers. [1]

The eastern elevation features an open portal, with a vaulted covering sheltered by a gabled awning, supported on coupled columns, featuring plaster cast capitals and bases. The portal opens onto an arcaded entrance porch, defined by similar columns, from which a closed timber quarter turn stair runs to the gallery. Panelled timber doors open off the entrance bay to the church. Above the portal are three round headed arched window openings, glazed with leadlight. [1]

The entrances to the north and south transepts are similar to the main eastern entrance, but with vaulted awnings supported on moulded corbels. The western facade has a brick arcaded verandah echoing the octagonally shaped chancel. [1]

Internally the church is dominated by the coffered interior of the dome at the intersection of the nave and transepts. This is supported on four wide arches, which span the internal width of the church, one of which forms the chancel arch. The chancel features an ornate marble altar and a large Italian painting. Flanking the chancel are two side chapels with religious statues. Unusually, a marble altar rail has survived, as have two confessional bays on the north and south walls. A gallery sits over the eastern end of the interior, with a large Whitehouse Brothers pipe organ. The interior is carpeted and has rendered brick walls with a timber boarded ceiling. [1]

Heritage listing

Corpus Christi Church was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 July 1995 having satisfied the following criteria. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The Corpus Christi Church was built during a time of expansion of the Catholic Church in Queensland during Archbishop Duhig's time, when an effort was made to create a strong Catholic presence, particularly in those areas of traditional Protestant dominance. [1]

The design of Corpus Christi is significant as it paralleled the design of the ill-fated Holy Name Cathedral and may have been planned as a scale model for the cathedral. The Corpus Christi Church is a manifestation of the Catholic ethos of exploiting imposing sites to produce prominent landmarks. This is particularly true of churches built during the time of Archbishop James Duhig. [1]

The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.

The church is a particularly good example of an inter-war church, influenced by the fashionable Romanesque revival of church architecture in Australia, with its feature dome, picturesque massing and polychrome brickwork, a style favoured by Archbishop Duhig. [1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

It is symbolically important to the catholic parish of Nundah. [1]

The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

The church has special associations with Archbishop James Duhig and the architects Hennessey and Hennessey. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Name Cathedral, Brisbane</span> Planned but never-built Roman Catholic cathedral in Queensland, Australia

The Holy Name Cathedral was a planned but never-built Roman Catholic cathedral for the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Designed by Hennessy, Hennessy & Co, initially in an English Baroque style inspired by St Paul's in London, it was intended to have been the largest church building of any Christian denomination in the Southern Hemisphere. James Duhig, the Archbishop of Brisbane, was the chief proponent of the project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Brigid's Church, Red Hill</span> Church in Australia

St Brigid's Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church located at 78 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Robin Dods and built from 1912 to 1914 by Thomas Keenan. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First St Mary's Church, Warwick</span> Church in Australia

The First St Mary's Roman Catholic Church is a heritage-listed sandstone Roman Catholic former church building at 163 Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Benjamin Joseph Backhouse and built from 1863 to 1865 by CA Doran. It is also known as St Mary of the Assumption Church and St Mary's Church. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second St Mary's Church, Warwick</span> Church in Australia

The second St Mary's Roman Catholic Church is a heritage-listed sandstone Catholic church at 163 Palmerin Street in Warwick in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Dornbusch & Connolly and built from 1920 to 1926. It is also known as St Mary of the Assumption Church. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Maryborough</span> Church in Queensland, Australia

St Mary's Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church at 271–275 Adelaide Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia, on land donated to the Church by Maryborough pioneer James Cleary. It was initially designed by Charles Tiffin with later additions and alterations by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and POE Hawkes. The initial construction was from 1869 to 1872 by G Smith and J Thomas. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St James Anglican Church, Toowoomba</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

St James Church is a heritage-listed Anglican church at 145 Mort Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Richard George Suter and built from 1869 to 1953. It is also known as St James Church of England. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 28 July 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba</span> Church in Australia

St Patrick's Cathedral is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic cathedral on James Street, South Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Toowoomba architect James Marks and was built from 1883 to 1935. The site of the cathedral was originally a church and school known as St Patrick's Church School. In 1899, the school was moved to make way for the building of the cathedral and in 1959 renamed as St Saviour's School. St Patrick's Cathedral was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Ignatius Loyola Church, Toowong</span> Church in Australia

The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church at 46 Grove Street, Toowong, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by architect Jack Hennessy, junior, and built from 1929 to 1936 by Concrete Construction (QLD) Limited. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 12 July 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Francis (Jack) Hennessy</span>

John Francis (Jack) Hennessy (1887–1955) was an Australian architect, with the same name as his architect father, John Francis Hennessy, with whom he was in partnership as Hennessy & Hennessy from 1912 to 1924. As principal of the firm after his father retired from 1924 to 1955, he was responsible for many major Art Deco office buildings in capital cities in Australia and New Zealand in the 1930s, as well as many projects for the Catholic Church in Queensland, and the Great Court of the University of Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, South Brisbane</span> Church in Australia

St Mary's Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church at 20 Merivale Street, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Simkin and Ibler and built from 1892 to 1929. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 3 December 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of Our Lady of Victories, Bowen Hills</span> Church in Australia

Our Lady of Victories Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic war memorial church at 29 Cintra Road, Bowen Hills, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Hall & Prentice and built from 1919 to 1962. It is also known as White Temple of Peace. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 11 November 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Carmel Convent</span>

Mount Carmel Convent is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic former convent at 199 Bay Terrace, Wynnum, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Hall & Dods and built in 1915 by William Richard Juster. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 August 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nazareth House, Wynnum</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Nazareth House is a heritage-listed benevolent institution at 272 Wynnum North Road, Wynnum, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1924 to 1939. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 April 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Villa Maria Hostel</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Villa Maria Hostel is a heritage-listed nursing home at 167–173 Saint Paul's Terrace, Fortitude Valley, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Frank Cullen, Hennessy, Hennessy, Keesing & Co, & J P Donoghue and built from 1927 to 1968. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 18 September 2008.

Hennessy & Hennessy was an architectural firm established in 1912 in Sydney, Australia that was responsible for a series of large scale office buildings in the 1930s in all capital cities in Australia, as well as New Zealand and South Africa, designed by John (Jack) Hennessy (1887–1955), described as Australia's first international architect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Joseph's Cathedral, Rockhampton</span> Church in Queensland, Australia

St Josephs Cathedral is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic cathedral at 170 William Street, Allenstown, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and built from 1893 to 1982. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. The cathedral serves as the seat for the Bishop of Rockhampton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Patrick's Church, Gympie</span> Church in Australia

St Patrick's Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church at Church Street, Gympie, Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and built from 1883 to 1935. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 20 February 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Range Convent and High School</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

The Range Convent and High School is a heritage-listed private school at 263 Agnes Street, The Range, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c.1880s to 1930s. It is also known as Our Lady of Good Counsel Convent and School and The Catholic College Residential. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marist Brothers College Rosalie Buildings</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Marist Brothers College Rosalie Buildings are heritage-listed Roman Catholic monastery and school buildings at Fernberg Road, Rosalie, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They are also known as Marist Brothers' Monastery and Marist College. They were added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 18 September 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Immaculate Church, Annerley</span> Church in Queensland, Australia

Mary Immaculate Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church located on the corner of Ipswich Road and Ferndale Street, Annerley, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Mary Immaculate Church is located in the Archdiocese of Brisbane and is under the care of the Brisbane Oratory in Formation, a Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "Corpus Christi Church (entry 601460)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

Attribution

CC-BY-icon-80x15.png This Wikipedia article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Corpus Christi Church, Nundah at Wikimedia Commons