Written by Sister M. Hedwige Schlecht in 1986 (typed June 2001 by Toowong History Group)

In 1923 Sister M. Gabriel Casey was the Superior. Other Sisters on the staff were Sisters M. Eustace Hallahan, M. Vera Muller, M. Majella Orme and M. Berchman Cooney. The Parish grew by leaps and bounds and soon it was felt that we needed a new Church bigger than the one we had. Father Richard Murphy S.J. said the Church was the Cinderella of the Diocese. The Superior of the Mercy Congregation agreed to give land at the corner of Grove Street and Kensington Terrace. This was gratefully received and in 1930 building began. There was to be a two-storey building, the ground floor of which was to serve as a school. This was a large room with three smaller rooms. This state of affairs continued until the war years when a new school was built adjoining the Church.

In April 1931 the Church, which still is a landmark, was blessed and opened. The text books, slate pencils, pads, copy books and drawing books etc. were moved to the new school by the teachers and pupils. This was a 'Red Letter Day' for the Parishioners. Although this school left much to be desired, all seemed happy enough. There were several lay teachers in training at the time. They were Mercia Gannon, Phyllis Warren, Bertha Williams, now Sister M. Rosita, Veronica Schlecht, now Sister M. Hedwige. The Sisters on the staff at the time were Sisters M. Albert McInerney Superior, M. Alphonsus Mahoney, M. St. Paul Battaglene, M. Berchmans Cooney and M. Dorothy Neylan who taught Music at the entrance to the school. The Priests were Father Richard Murphy and Father Little, both Jesuits.

During the War, Father Maurice Fitzgerald S.J. decided to build a school at the back of the Church. Many obstacles had to be overcome, not the least of which was buying bricks to match those of the Church. The Parish Priest had every reason to be proud of his achievement. This new building consisted of separate class rooms, one for each Grade in the School. In due course the ground floor of the Church became known as 'The Hall'. The School was a two-storey building.

After the school was completed there was not much land for the children to play, so it was agreed that they play in the Convent Grounds. The back of the Convent was a sheer cliff so we allowed people to dump soil there. This was continued over the years right up to the eighties. After the soil was deposited, the bulldozer came in and spread it evenly. The result is that there is a lovely flat area behind the Convent. At the side of the Convent there was a level piece of ground which was at different times used as a Basketball court or a Tennis court. This flat area has given extra playing space to the children who until then had used only our ground on the Kensington side of the house. This was large enough to allow football, cricket, basketball and tennis to be played at the one time.

When Father Les Flynn was Parish Priest in the 70s, he had the baskeball-tennis section made into two floodlit, all-weather, courts. At the same time he formed the St. Ignatius Tennis Club which still (in 1986) has access to this part of our grounds.

As time went on a Music Room was essential so a room which had served as a stable was bought. The debt incurred by this transaction was settled by various means, such as selling toffees, plastic belts, etc. Sister M. Leonard Moylan was teaching Music and Speech when extensions to the building were carried out. Sister is here still, and uses the room as a Speech and Singing Room. This building houses violins, cellos and music stands which are used regularly by the children.

The Convent had five fairly large rooms which were used as bedrooms in which two sisters slept. In time there was a partition made which did not go right up to the ceiling. One electric light served the two sisters. When Sister Teresa Mary Quinlan came, the rooms were improved. The partitions were built to the ceiling and each window was made into a door, so that each Sister had handy access to the bathrooms. Father Louis Cardiff S.J. allowed us to have functions in order to pay for these improvements.

In 1961 we celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Sister Teresa Mary. The folding door between the Community Room and Parlour was pushed back and this gave us a very large and beautiful room. Sisters came from All Hallows' to help us with the singing. This was a day to be remembered.

As time passed the Jesuits were here fifty years and this called for a celebration; so in 1966 invitations were sent to the various Religious Orders who had dealings with the Jesuits, to be present at a Special Mass, followed by morning tea in the Hall. During the week the children had a boat trip to Lone Pine where they had a picnic. They were accompanied by their teachers. On this day a dinner for the Priests of the Diocese was held in the hall.

In 1977 when the Sisters celebrated 75 years Father Flynn S.J., who was the Parish Priest, gave the proceeds of the Fete to us. One afternoon a delivery van pulled up on Grove Crescent. Two gentlemen got out and asked Sr. M. Leonard where we wanted our coloured TV. Sister told them there must have been a mistake. However after sometime the men gave Sister a card which said that the TV was given to us by the Parish. Sister lost no time then in directing the way to our Community Room. It was a great and pleasant surprise.

Sister Sue O'Niel, who was Superior from 1973 to 1979, celebrated her Silver Jubilee. Again the door between the Community Room and the Parlour was folded back and we had a great day. Sister Angela Mary had a Mass in Irish which some of the Sisters sang. After Sister Ursula Markman had her home visit she came to live in Toowong. Sister works at Bardon where she is a great help to our Congregational Leader.

In 1983 Sister M. Hedwige celebrated her Golden Jubilee. Sister, who did her teacher-training in Toowong, was appointed to the staff in 1961 so was very much at home. Father John Dobson, Parish Priest of Caloundra, whom Sister had taught in Grade VIII in Wooloowin was the chief celebrant. It was a happy day.

In 1984 Sister Frances O'Donoghue, who was the Local Community Leader from 1979, had her Golden Jubilee here in February. Father James Spence was the chief celebrant and he was assisted by Father Dick Pascoe. In December 1984 Sister was replaced by Sister Patricia Sullivan. In February 1985 Sister Joan Hooper was added to our Community. Sister was to work at Bardon to help prepare for Chapter.

As the numbers in the school increased and the change of Syllabus required more room for each child, it was deciced in 1985 to build two adjoining classrooms fitted with modern equipment. When they were doing this, they improved part of the existing building. The ofice was updated and an Interview Room and Library were furnished. In addition to these there was a room set aside for sick children and an up-to-date Lunchroom for the staff which is, since 1982, composed of good, competent, lay people. In 1982 Sister Margaret McCann gave up the duty of Principal. Peter Erbacher was acting Principal in 1983 and Miss Glenda Honan was appointed Principal in 1984.

Father Guy Carlson, PP in 1986, blessed and opened the extensions. This new section required permission from our Congregational Team as it goes over our access strip to Grove Street. There was a great deal of negotiation before the Parish got the 'go ahead'. This new building was dedicated to the Sisters of Mercy and the lay staff.

A small number of Sisters, who had been on the staff over the years, answered the invitation to attend. After the ceremony Morning Tea was served.