61. ST THÉRÈSE

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux lived from 1873 to 1897. She is also known as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and, the Holy Face. She was born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin, and was a French Carmelite nun. She is also known as ‘The Little Flower of Jesus’ or simply, ‘The Little Flower’. She has been a highly influential model of sanctity for Roman Catholics and for others because of the ‘simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life’. Together with St. Francis of Assisi, she is one of the most popular saints in the history of the church.    PLAN

62. PIETA

We now proceed up the South aisle towards the West window. Half way along the nave we come to this replica of Michelangelo’s famous Pietà. The original is housed in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works by Michelangelo on this theme, and the only work the sculptor signed. The name means ‘Pity’. The famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion.

63. BISHOP’S TOMB

The tomb of Right Rev Denis Fouhy lies under the floor in the South West corner off the nave. His plaque speaks of a spiritual man of good character who served his God well for over 27 years.

64. NAVE TO WEST

As we arrive at the end of our tour of St Patrick’s Cathedral, we move back into the centre of the nave and look towards the West wall. Again we are impressed with the size and simplicity of this building.

65. WEST WINDOW

The great West window is a colourful sight in the morning sunshine. There are probably some deep spiritual truths conveyed in its design, but apart from the crosses and doves, such meaning needs explanation.

66. 1880 CHURCH

The present blue-stone Cathedral is the third church under the name St Patrick's to stand on the site in James Street, Toowoomba. The first was erected in 1863 under the guidance of the first Parish Priest, Father Fulgentius Hodebourg. This small wooden Church / school soon became too small for the ever growing congregation and was expanded in 1880, only to be burnt down the day after completion. [State Library of Queensland, 1880]

67. ST PATRICK’S 1894

Due to the dedication of parishioners, a new St Patrick's was erected in little over two weeks. It, too, was of wood and when its life as a church came to an end, it served as a school utility until 1975. The beginnings of the St Patrick's Cathedral we know today, came with the laying of its foundation stone in 1883. The architect was James Marks, whose works feature prominently throughout Toowoomba. Built in neo-gothic style, the new Church consisted of a nave and single aisles with a clerestory 12m in height. It was officially blessed and opened on the 17th March, 1889 - St Patrick's Day. [Cathedral Photo, 1884]

68. 1912 WEST WALL

On the 1st September, 1929, Dr Byrne was consecrated as Bishop to the newly-formed Diocese of Toowoomba. With his appointment, Bishop Byrne immediately began to plan for the transformation of his simple Parish Church to that of a true Cathedral. [State Library of Queensland Photo, 1912]

69. 1929 CATHEDRAL

The consecration of Bishop Byrne in 1929 was a grand occasion. Thousands of visitors came to Toowoomba from all parts of the Diocese for the ceremony. The Bishop-elect was led to the Altar and after various prayers the Book of Gospels was placed on his head and shoulders, his head and his hands were anointed as on his ordination day, and he was handed the shepherd’s staff and crozier, and the ring placed on his finger. To complete the symbols of his three-fold office, shepherd, priest and preacher, the Book of Gospels was presented to him. [Cathedral Photo]

70. 1932 CATHEDRAL DIGNITARIES

By early March 1932, preliminary work on the extensions to St Patrick’s Cathedral had commenced Twenty men were working on the project under the direction of a Mr John O’Connell. The foundation stone was laid on 24th April 1932 by Bishop Byrne. [State Library of Queensland Photo, 1932]

71. NEW CATHEDRAL

Amidst a crowd of over 7000 people, the new Cathedral was opened on 24th March, 1935. It now measured 64m in length, while the new transepts were 30m across. The Sanctuary, one of St Patrick's outstanding features, now measured 10m by 17m. In 1972 extensive renovations were undertaken. Two major improvements were the installation of a well-planned public address system and a specially designed lighting system. And so St Patrick's stands today, a living testament to the development of faith on the Darling Downs. [Cathedral photo, 1953] This completes our tour of this Cathedral.