St Patricks Church

The Catholic precinct in Church Street, Gympie, is dominated by the imposing sandstone gothic revival church on Calton Hill. It was designed by architect FDG Stanley in 1881 and erected between 1883 and 1887, and features a marble altar and quality craftsmanship. It is symbolic of the wealth generated by the 1867 discovery of gold. The first Catholic Priest, Father Patrick Horan, pitched a tent here in 1868. His first timber church succumbed to termite attack and a new church was built in 1872. The Sisters of Mercy established an adjacent school in 1879. The foundation stone for the new church was laid by Bishop Dunne in January 1883. He opened the church in 1887, as the newly appointed Catholic Archbishop of Queensland. Further changes were made over time. Local architect Hugo Du Rietz designed an organ gallery in 1896. In 1925, architects Cavanagh and Cavanagh designed the east end of the church which included a polygonal chancel, vestry and sanctuary. In 1929, stained glass windows were installed in the gables. Significant roof and ceiling restorations were undertaken in 1996, as well as a new floor and drainage system. The altar was reconfigured reflecting the liturgical requirements of Vatican II.