Church of the Holy Spirit

Sources indicate that the Church was originally constructed for the Eton High School for Girls. The chapel was originally designed by Robin Dods, based upon his plan he used for the church at “Cressbrook”, Toogoolawah.

Eventually the chapel became part of St Francis Theological College. When the College moved to Milton the chapel remained 

…unused and was to be moved to allow an extension to Boyd Road.

The Nundah Parish of St Francis felt that the chapel should remain in the district, and a petition to this effect was signed by local residents to use the building as a daughter church to St Francis in Cavendish Street. In 1936 two allotments were purchased and cleared at the corner of Imbros Street and Olive Street. The contract to move the chapel was given to Guymore and Wright, and in October 1936.1

The Church was dedicated on 7 February 1937 by Archbishop William Wand. He is also reputedly to have suggested the name of the chapel be Church of the Holy Spirit as “students now worshipped in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Bishopsbourne, Milton.”2 

It would be envisaged that there would undoubtedly be a need for an additional church in the area to cater for expanding numbers of worshipers. During the early interwar period the commercial centre of Nundah was developing. A picture theatre had been established in c1918 and had undergone refurbishment in c1930. This growth undoubtedly flowed onto the adjacent suburb of Wavell Heights. This is exampled by the nearby Nundah Private Hospital, now Cadogan House, which opened in late 1933.

The Chapel is originally credited as the work of Architect Robin Dods. New Zealand born architect Robin Dods, together with his business partner John Hall, are credited with achieving “an architectural revolution in Brisbane.”3 This was principally achieved by Dod’s use of timber in construction. This chapel was originally constructed in timber. The design may be seen as an example of his work.

The church still is utilised as a place of religious worship.

A small roofed and enclosed porch denotes the entry to the church. According to notes made on the building the chapel is constructed of single skin VJ walls, varnished internally, with at one time, a design of religious significance being painted on the ceiling. An altar was supplied for the church from the nearby Tufnell Home.

Further notes on the building include that there were wooden singles on the roof and these were replaced with ribbed iron in c1949. In addition the main entry was moved from the Olive Street end to the Imbros street end in c1958 and a porch erected. The church was rendered with stucco in c1959.

1. Nundah & Districts Historical Society, From Pioneering Days – Nundah-Northgate Virginia

2. Ibid

3. Watson & Mckay, Queensland Architects of the 19th century: A Biographical Dictionary. Quote from architect  A.E.Brooks reproduced at p.55

4. Brisbane City Council Building Card Records

5. Certificates of Title.

6. Nundah & Districts Historical Society, From Pioneering Days – Nundah-Northgate Virginia. (2002)

7. Donald Watson and Judith McKay, Queensland Architects of the Nineteenth Century, South Brisbane: Queensland Museum, 1994