Picture this: a humble church nestled on Passage Street. This is Star of the Sea Catholic Parish in Cleveland. Its story isn’t just bricks and mortar. It’s a journey spanning almost two centuries.
Star of the Sea Parish was established in 1843. That makes it the oldest parish in all of Queensland. Imagine the history woven into its walls. It’s a testament to faith perseverance and community. Initially priests from the Passionist Order established a church on Stradbroke Island in 1844. However unforeseen challenges forced them to relocate. For years afterward immigrant Catholics lived in the Redlands area but lacked regular priestly services.
By 1874 Cleveland became part of a vast parish based in Logan Village. Father Scortechini an Italian priest served this immense area. He even held Mass in Cassim’s Hotel near the Grandview Hotel. The first church in Cleveland was built around 1877 on North Street. Early baptismal records are even found in St Mary’s Church in Beaudesert.
In 1892 Cleveland and Stradbroke Island became part of the Greater Brisbane parish. The church was then named St Mary’s Star of the Sea. It needed renovations. Priests would travel from Brisbane by sulky to celebrate Mass. Later in the 1890s Cleveland and Stradbroke moved again to the Wynnum parish. By 1912 Father Enright would come from Wynnum by train. About 30 parishioners attended these services.
September 1925 marked a turning point. Father Joseph Butler became Cleveland’s first resident priest. His parish included Stradbroke and Peel Islands. He initially stayed at Kelmm’s Cleveland Point before building his own house at Oyster Point. This house he called San Antonio.
In 1929 Bishop Duhig purchased the current church site on Passage Street. The parishioners covered the cost of the land. In June 1929 the old church moved from North Street to its present location. From 1928 to 1936 Reverend Doctor Lynch served the community. An Irishman educated in France and ordained in Rome he lived in a house called The Haven. The parish’s baptism and marriage registries begin in 1928.
In 1936 Father Gabriel Nolan became parish priest. He was the first Australian priest in Cleveland. For 28 years Cleveland was administered from Manly. Around this time the church’s name changed to Our Lady Star of the Sea. Then Father Frank O’Dea became parish priest in 2001. One of his first projects was to establish a parish school. It opened in 2006. He also started a daycare. He later changed the parish name back to Star of the Sea.
Today Star of the Sea Catholic Parish stands as a vibrant community hub. Its history a testament to faith enduring through time and change. It’s a place where history faith and community intertwine. A true treasure of Cleveland’s heritage.