Could you imagine parishioners gathering here even before St. Luke’s Catholic Parish was built? St. Luke’s Catholic Parish has a rich history. It welcomes all members of the community.
In 1936, St Luke’s Parish was established. Before that, the Catholic community belonged to Coorparoo and Ipswich Road parish. Father J. O’Leary was the first parish priest.
Look at the architecture. St Luke’s church was built in 1936. It has a Spanish Mission/Art Deco style. The church stands on the site of Barcoo Villa. The Reis Family once owned this estate home. Archbishop Duhig acquired the land. The home was used for Mass celebrations. Parishioners awaited the church’s construction.
K.D. Morris, a contractor, started building St Luke’s Church in 1936. Archbishop Duhig laid the foundation stone on December 20 1936. St Luke’s officially opened on April 11 1937. The Apostolic Delegate Most Reverend John Panico dedicated it. Thousands of parishioners and visitors attended. They lined Taylor Street to welcome the delegation.
After construction, Barcoo Villa became a presbytery. Fr Costelloe was the parish priest. Fr James Cullen and Fr David Edwards followed him.
In 1948, Archbishop Duhig laid the foundation stone for St Luke’s Primary School. It was located on the O’Keefe Street side of St Luke’s Church. The school opened in 1949. Archbishop Duhig blessed it. Presentation Sisters administered it until it closed in 1977.
The old school building was used by the Villanova Players. Later, the St Vincent de Paul Society used it. It served as a food distribution center. This was for Brisbane’s inner south side. In 2015, the old school building was demolished. This made way for St Luke’s Green construction. Today, Edwards House Aged Care Building stands on this site. It is part of St Luke’s Green.
In 2009, Monsignor Peter Meneely negotiated with the Greengate Group. He sought to develop an aged care facility on the site. Monsignor Meneely recognized the need for aged care. He wanted to utilize the parish’s assets. The parish then entered a 99-year ground lease arrangement. The Greengate Group developed St Luke’s Green Integrated Care Village around St Luke’s Church.
Construction of St Luke’s Green started in 2015. Extensive restoration work began on St Luke’s Church. The church needed work. A severe hailstorm in November 2014 caused extensive damage. The church officially closed on December 28 2014. Restoration work then began.
The restoration included installing the first bell in the bell tower. The bell tower was part of the original 1936 construction. However, a bell was never fitted. Builders worried about the tower’s structural integrity.
Significant work was done on the stained glass. Church iconography and paintwork were restored. A new altar, ambo, and presider’s chair were installed. The church was retiled and painted. The Stations of the Cross were restored. Many statues and religious artworks were also restored.
Today, St Luke’s Catholic Parish stands as a testament to faith and community. It continues to serve the people of Brisbane. Remember its history and the dedication of those who built and preserved it.