HISTORICAL (written in 1930)

The history of the Parish of Toowong may be said to begin the year 1879. In that year Mass was said at intervals at the house of Mr F Keogh. This house still exists (1930), and is in the possession of the Diddams family. At a still earlier date, Stations were held every six months at Long Pocket, Indooroopilly and at St Lucia.

Before Toowong possessed a Church, 'buses ran on Sundays to Brisbane, thus giving the Catholics the opportunity of attending Mass at St Stephen's. Two 'buses made up the service. One ran through High Street. It first of all collected the Catholics of Taringa at the bus stables, which were established under the railway bridge, near the Sports Ground.

The other bus - a double decker - ran to The Terrace, the stand being near Dean Streeet. Both buses were well patronised, and the service was regular though not always punctual. The driver of the 'village bus' as it was called, was a very genial man, and easy going. Sometimes, we are told, his passengers arrived nearer the Last Gospel than the First.

Catechism classes were held during this period at the residence of Mr Charles Lane, Senior, now deceased. Classes were also held at the Masonic Hall, and those who were prepared for Confirmation were sent to St Stephens School.

In 1893 efforts which had been made during a considerable period, under the guidance and inspiration of Very Rev Canon Belton, OSA, succeeded in having the Church of St Michael and All Souls built. This Church, one of Brisbane's earliest Catholic Churches, was blessed and opened by the Most Rev Dr Dunne, Archbishop of Brisbane, in 1893.

The Convent was purchased in 1902, and the Sisters of Mercy took up residence the next year. The Rt. Rev. Mgr. Lee had by this time taken over the Parish of Toowong, which then extended from Rosalie, through Toowong and Indooroopilly, to Moggill. It was while Mgr Lee had charge of the parish that the school (St Michaels) was built.

In 1916 the portion of the parish including Toowong and Indooroopilly was cut off from Rosalie and given in charge to the Jesuit Fathers. In 1924 Indooroopilly was formed into a separate parish, and placed under the care of the Very Rev James Prout.

At the invitation of His Grace the Most Rev Dr Duhig, the Carmelites made a foundation in Brisbane. The house of the late Hon TJ Ryan, at Auchenflower, was purchased for them, and the nuns entered into residence on St Ignatius Day, July 31, 1927. Since then the Monastry Chapel has served as a chapel of ease in this parish. Mass is said there on Sundays and week days.

The old Church of Toowong, which had done such valiant service, was felt, during recent years, to be quite inadequate to the needs and development of the parish. In 1928 members of the parishioners were held to consider the matter, and it was finally decided to proceed with the building of a new Church.

The Sisters of Mercy donated a portion of the Convent grounds, and on this property it was decided to build a church and a school.

The firm of Messrs. Hennessy, Hennessy and Co Architects were asked to submit plans on the lines proposed. These plans have received the approval of His Grace the Archbishop, were finally accepted and a contract was let to Messrs Concrete Constructions Ltd, early in 1929. On June 16th of that year His Grace laid the foundation stone. The edifice took just a year to build, and was opened and blessed by the Archbishop, on Sunday May 18, 1930.

THE EXTERIOR

The style of architecture chosen for the church of St Ignatius is known as the Italian Romanesque. The term Romanesque represents one of the many modes in which man expressed himself in brick and stone. It dates back to the period of the decline of the Roman Empire.

THE INTERIOR

Before entering the Church, we must pause to look at the Baptistry, at the left-hand side of the vestibule. The first thing that strikes one is the massive bronze gate at the entrance to the Baptistry. This beautifully wrought gate, as well as all the bronze work in the Church, was executed from the Architects' designs by Messrs Castle Bros, of Sydney. Immediately inside the gate is the Baptismal Font, which was procured from the Italian studios of Messrs Pellegrini and Co. It is a very beautifully wrought piece of Carrara marble, octagonal in shape, and richly carved.

The large basin is supported by columns of pink marble - like our Australian Cudgegong - and presenting a pleasing contrast to the pure Carrara marble of the font proper. Two stained glass windows break the walls. One represents the Baptism of Christ, and the other Christ with the little children. The floor is laid with Terrazzo and white marble. We are indebted for the furnishings of this beautiful Baptistry to the generosity of Mr JA Carmody.