Parish History
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St Luke’s church was built in a Spanish Mission / Art Deco style in 1936. It was built on the site of one of the first estate homes built in Buranda, Barcoo Villa, which belonged to the Reis Family. When the land was acquired by Archbishop Duhig, the home was used for the celebration of Mass while the parishioners awaited the building of the church.
In 1936 K.D. Morris, contractor, began construction of St Luke’s Church and the foundation stone was then laid by Archbishop Duhig on the 20 December 1936.
In 1936 K.D. Morris, contractor, began construction of St Luke’s Church and the foundation stone was then laid by Archbishop Duhig on the 20 December 1936.
Following construction St Luke’s was officially opened and dedicated by the Apostolic Delegate Most Reverend John Panico S.T.D. on the 11 April 1937 in the presence of many thousands of parishioners and visitors who lined Taylor Street to welcome the delegation.
In the years after construction the original home, Barcoo Villa was converted into a presbytery for the parish priest, Fr Costelloe and his successors namely Fr James Cullen and Fr David Edwards.
In 1948 Archbishop Duhig laid the foundation stone for St Luke’s Primary school on the O’Keefe Street side of St Luke’s Church. The school was blessed and opened in 1949 by Archbishop Duhig and administered by the Presentation sisters until its closing in 1977.
In 1948 Archbishop Duhig laid the foundation stone for St Luke’s Primary school on the O’Keefe Street side of St Luke’s Church. The school was blessed and opened in 1949 by Archbishop Duhig and administered by the Presentation sisters until its closing in 1977.
In the years since, the old school building was utilised by the Villanova Players and then the St Vincent de Paul Society who used it as a food distribution centre for the inner south side of Brisbane. To make way for the construction of St Luke’s Green the old school building was demolished in 2015 and today Edwards House Aged Care Building, part of St Luke’s Green, stands on this site.
In 2009 Monsignor Peter Meneely, as Administrator of the Parish, entered into negotiations with the Greengate Group for the development of an aged care facility on the St Luke’s site. Monsignor Meneely had become aware of the growing need for age care in the broader community and was conscious of finding a way to better utilise the parishes assets for a new mission. Subsequently, the parish entered into a 99 year ground lease arrangement with the Greengate Group from which they have developed St Luke’s Green Integrated Care Village, surrounding St Luke’s Church.
In 2009 Monsignor Peter Meneely, as Administrator of the Parish, entered into negotiations with the Greengate Group for the development of an aged care facility on the St Luke’s site. Monsignor Meneely had become aware of the growing need for age care in the broader community and was conscious of finding a way to better utilise the parishes assets for a new mission. Subsequently, the parish entered into a 99 year ground lease arrangement with the Greengate Group from which they have developed St Luke’s Green Integrated Care Village, surrounding St Luke’s Church.
Construction of St Luke’s Green commenced in 2015 along with extensive restoration work on St Luke’s Church. The church was already in need of work, in order to remain a vibrant centre of worship into the future, and following a severe hail storm in November 2014, which did extensive damage to the church, it was officially closed on the 28 December 2014 and restoration works began. These restoration works included the installation of the first bell in the bell tower. The bell tower was part of the original construction in 1936, however a bell was never fitted due to the builders concerns that the bell purchased would threaten the structural integrity of the tower.
The restoration also featured significant work on the churches stained glass, church iconography, paintwork and the installation of a new altar, ambo and presider’s chair. The church was retiled and painted, with the Stations of the Cross restored as well as many other statues and religious art works.
MEDIA ARTICLES
The Joy of Life at St Luke’s Green - an article in The Catholic Leader - 14th October 2018
“Tucked away at the far end of Taylor Street in Woolloongabba stands something truly beautiful that’s rarely seen, but always treasured.” Click on the link to read more!
“Tucked away at the far end of Taylor Street in Woolloongabba stands something truly beautiful that’s rarely seen, but always treasured.” Click on the link to read more!
