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St Mary's Parish Church
Pictures: St Mary’s Church 2019 vs Circa 1909. (1909 image courtesy of the Maryborough, Wide Bay & Burnett Historical Society.
(On mobile device, tap on pic for 1909 pic, tap off pic to return to 2019 pic)
The Essentials
Where: 269 Adelaide Street, Maryborough
When: Reconciliation: Sat: 5pm- 5.30pm. Mass Times - Sat: 6.00pm, Sun: 8.00am, Sun:(Tiaro) 10.00am, Wed: 8am, Thu: 12 noon (Adoration & Benediction: 1st Thu 11:20am), Fri: 9.15am
Cost: FREE!
Explore Maryborough’s St Mary’s Church and it’s lovely curated grounds.
Pictures: St Mary’s Church 2019 vs Circa 1909. (1909 image courtesy of the Maryborough, Wide Bay & Burnett Historical Society.
Pictures: St Mary’s Church 2019 vs Circa 1909. (1909 image courtesy of the Maryborough, Wide Bay & Burnett Historical Society.
(On tablet device, tap on pic for 1909 pic, tap off pic to return to 2019 pic)
The Essentials
Where: Kent Street Green Space, 433 Kent Street, Maryborough
When: Reconciliation: Sat: 5pm- 5.30pm. Mass Times - Sat: 6.00pm, Sun: 8.00am, Sun:(Tiaro) 10.00am, Wed: 8am, Thu: 12 noon (Adoration & Benediction: 1st Thu 11:20am), Fri: 9.15am
Cost: FREE!
St Mary’s Catholic Church: Where History Meets Devotion in Maryborough
Maryborough’s Gothic Revival treasure. Uncover its rich history, French heritage, and serene Lourdes Grotto.
In the heart of Maryborough St Mary’s Catholic Church is a striking Gothic Revival building with intriguing memorials – a rooster with a French twist and a small Our Lady of Lourdes grotto dedicated to an American killed in Korea.
Started in 1858 as a modest wooden structure, it evolved into a fine example of gothic ecclesiastical architecture. Inside, sunlight filters through intricate stained-glass windows marking the Stations of the Cross. Lofty ceilings soar above from Corinthian columns and fine craftsmanship Is revealed in the marble high altar and elsewhere.
The first resident priest, 60-year-old Father Paul Tissot of the French Augustinians of the Assumption order, arrived from France in 1861. He landscaped the grounds, carved the chancel screen and other timber panelling, and is believed to been responsible for the high altar design and carved timber canopy.
A rooster atop the western gable spire, added during major alterations in 1936, is said to pay homage to Father Tissot.
The rooster symbol of France is also an emblem of the Christian’s attitude of watchfulness and readiness for the return of Christ, resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. Cocks were also traditionally added to French church roofs to symbolise resentment over Italian dominance of the papacy.
On the park side of the church, the Lourdes Grotto a la Maryborough is a curious memorial Lieutenant Martin J. Jordan, United States Army, killed in Korea 1951. Lieutenant Jordan was the nephew of Monsignor Martin Jordan, the Maryborough parish priest for 17 years from 1941.
Beside the Adelaide Street entrance a mural shows Sisters of St Joseph founder Mary MacKillop, who established a school here, and the arrival of Father Tissot. Mary MacKillop was canonised St Mary of the Cross on 17 October, 2010.
Explore Maryborough’s St Mary’s Church and it’s lovely curated grounds.
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