Barcaldine, QLD - Sacred Heart Catholic

History and Architecture:

The first Sacred Heart Church was one of the buildings that was moved from one stop on the railway line to the next as it advanced westwards. It was re-erected after it arrived from Jericho with the railway in 1886 on the corner of Willow and Yew streets.

In 1889 a second church was built nearby and that was replaced by the current church in 1954.

Work on the current Catholic church began in October 1953, after the first set of plans had been destroyed (eaten by goats). The contractor, J. Feehley, of Rockhampton completed it in time for an official opening by Andrew Tynan' Bishop of Rockhampton, on June 20, 1954. This ceremony was another high point in parish history. The new church of concrete and timber was considered revolutionary in design. Longreach Leader, quoting a Barcaldine Shire Councillor, wrote of it as "a divergence from conventional Ecclesiastical architecture" but supposed it would "soon acquire its own atmosphere." The building was eminently more suitable for a western climate than the box-like churches of the past with their high narrow windows. Wide openings and shady verandahs were innovative in 1954. It was built to the north of the old 1899 church which was demolished when no longer needed.

A Foundation stone reads, " This stone was laid and blessed by The Most Reverend A. Tynan DD Bishop of Rockhampton 4th Day of October 1953. rev D.J. Lee P.P.".