Eldernell

Cowlishaw trained as an architect in Sydney before arriving in Brisbane in 1860. He soon established himself as one of the town’s most successful private architects and was also a land speculator, newspaper director and Conservative MLC in the Queensland parliament. Cowlishaw designed bank buildings throughout Queensland in addition to many residences, churches and business premises in Brisbane and elsewhere. His obituary described his architectural legacy as “banks and business premises and the better-class residences”.1

Built on the crest of a hill, the house overlooks the rest of Hamilton and has panoramic views of the city. It was built at a time when Hamilton was sparsely populated and semi rural in character, with only a handful of very fine homes on large estates. Until 1899, the only public transport was horse drawn tram.  Hemmant’s estate originally occupied more than four acres of hillside land and stretched from Windemere Rd to what is now Kingsford Smith Drive.  

Though substantially reduced from its original size, the estate has remained almost intact since 1939 and is a large land portion to this day.  It is one of few remaining examples in the area of the large estates that were subdivided in the 1920’s, and a significant reminder of the elite status the suburb of Hamilton once held.  Enclosed within the property are significantly large trees and gardens that contribute to the landmark property’s aesthetic appearance and its visual setting.

The house was renamed Bishopsbourne in 1964 when it became the new home of the Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Archbishop Phillip Strong. The previous Bishop’s residence was the original Bishopsbourne at Milton. The original name (Eldernell) is now preserved in the name of the street on which it is located - Eldernell Tce.  Following the purchase, the Anglican Church constructed a new chapel at the entrance to the grounds. The Chapel of the Good Shepherd was designed by architectural firm Conrad and Gargett and constructed in 1964. It is reminiscent of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and is a significant aesthetic addition to the site. The presence of the chapel highlights the use of the site as a prominent home for Anglican archbishops for over forty years.

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd is a modest sized timber and stone building, with an overhanging pitched roof, built at the entrance to the grounds of the property.  The tapering plan and glazing bars set in the glass windows at the end of the church focus attention on the altar, while horizontal windows running the length of the chapel on each side allow sunlight into the main area of the chapel.

1. Quoted in Donald Watson and Judith McKay, Queensland Architects of the 19th Century: A Biographical Dictionary (Brisbane: Queensland Museum, 1994), p. 45

2. Brisbane City Council Water Supply and Sewerage Detail Plans

3. BCC Heritage Trail – Hamilton. 3rd edition. Nd

4. Department of Natural Resources, Certificates of Title

5. Queensland Post Office Directories

6. The Queenslander, March 27, 1930