St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Could a simple wooden church inspire such devotion? Here at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the story unfolds. St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, nestled in West End at 47 Dornoch Terrace, isn’t just a building. It’s a testament to the unwavering spirit of Archbishop James Duhig, the “James the Builder”. His vision after World War One was to spread the influence of the Catholic Church across Queensland. St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church became a cornerstone of this plan, a hub for religious, social, and educational life in the area from the 1920s. The church we see today, designed by George Trotter Jnr, stands as a beautiful example of interwar Carpenter Gothic architecture. Interestingly, it wasn’t always here. Originally built across the street in 1923, it was moved to its current location to accommodate a school. This decision proved providential, allowing the church to expand twice between 1927 and 1937. The land surrounding St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church has its own tale to tell. It was once part of “O’Reilly’s Paddock”, a significant property owned by a Presbyterian family. Duhig, ever strategic, saw the potential of this elevated site. He acquired the land, subdivided and sold the riverfront portion, funding the ambitious building projects, including the adjacent St Francis of Assisi School in 1928. Designed by Hall & Prentice, the school reflects the interwar bungalow style, creating a fascinating juxtaposition with the church’s gothic aesthetic. The school served the community for decades, eventually closing in 1974 and becoming a Remediation Centre for the Archdiocese. The unified brick fence that encloses the church, school, presbytery, and convent stands as a symbol of Duhig’s enduring legacy at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. It marks not just physical boundaries, but also the deep connection between faith, education, and community. St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology, would surely appreciate this blend of history, architecture and community spirit.