St Stephens Catholic Cathedral in Brisbane city is a 19th-century, neo-Gothic building with a modern extension built in 1989. The cathedral houses striking sculptures and a memorable collection of 19th-century stained glass windows from Germany, France, England and Ireland. The neighbouring Pugin Chapel was Queensland's first church and was built in 1850.
Within it there is a shrine to Saint Mary Mackillop. Born in Melbourne in 1842, she and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. Brisbane sculptor, John Elliott sliced, carved and recombined the trunk of a hundred-year-old camphor laurel tree to craft the figure of Mary MacKillop. The rough bark recalls the slab hut in which she opened her first school.
St Stephens is not only an important place for those who use it regularly, but for the whole city of Brisbane as it provides an oasis of green that invites people to rest awhile. The Roman Catholic church offers tours every weekday at 10.30am, right after the 10am mass. St Stephens can also be used as a unique wedding venue.
