St Michael's Catholic Church

No Foundation Stone or Memorial Plaque details are known. Information/photographs are invited.

A heritage plaque records: Heritage Place - St Michael's Catholic Church - An initiative of Ipswich City Council - The first church on this site was erected in 1878 and the - current church was built in 1934. An early priest of St - Mary's parish was the young Father James Duhig who returned - in 1951 as Archbishop to celebrate the golden - wedding anniversary of a couple he had married in 1901.

A plaque records: This plaque - was unveiled by Bishop Oudeman - on 28 March 2015 - to commemorate 150 years since - the first church - was dedicated on this site - St Michael's church was erected - in 1879 replacing St John's Chapel - dedicated by Bishop Quinn - 1865.

Queensland Times, 28 Feb 1865, p3. "OPENING OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, PINE MOUNTAIN. The chapel erected by the Roman Catholics at the Pine Mountain, was opened on Sunday last by the Right Rev Bishop Quinn, in the presence of between 250 and 300 persons. The greater part of the assembly was composed of residents of Ipswich, many of whom were members of other denominations. The chapel stands on rising ground facing Pine Mountain. It is built chiefly of pine timber, on a piece of land given by Mr John Barnes, a resident of the locality....The proceedings of the day commenced in the forenoon with the celebration of mass by Dr Quinn. In the afternoon the company sat dowm to tea, which was served up in a large shed erected for the purpose. Mr P O'Sullivan occupied the chair, announcing those present were the Bishop, Fathers Brun and Golden, and many members of the Catholic denomination...A number of speeches were made, and the party broke up at five o'clock. This is the second place of worship that has been opened at the Pine Mountain. The inhabitants are mostly sawyers, and it is much to their credit that they have built this little church entirely at their own expense..."