BRISBANE archdiocese has released architect plans for the completion of the St Stephen’s Cathedral Precinct project which will start in mid-January.
The project beside the cathedral will comprise four levels – two below the level of the cathedral grounds and two above – and is expected to be completed in mid-December 2004.
Key elements of the design include:
- Covered space for use when liturgical celebrations begin outside the cathedral, such as the Easter Vigil.
- Hospitality areas for gatherings before and after cathedral services.
- Areas for clergy to vest for liturgies.
- Practice rooms for the cathedral’s three choirs.
- Offices for cathedral administration and the bishops.
- St Paul’s Book Centre.
- Meeting rooms
- Additional car parking spaces for cathedral worshippers.
John Holland Pty Ltd submitted the successful tender for the project.
The contract price is $11.6 million.
Brisbane archdiocese, in announcing the project last Wednesday, said no welfare or mission work of the archdiocese would be curtailed by the project, which is being funded from diocesan investments and income from Church tenancies.
An archdiocesan spokesman said that, while the historic cathedral was enhanced by lawns on the Edward St side, until now it had been overshadowed and ‘hemmed in’ on the other side.
It is hoped the project will enhance not only the liturgical and pastoral life of the cathedral but the life of the city as well.
Archbishop Bathersby said he was delighted with this project coming to fruition ‘as for many years the cathedral has effectively been breathing with only one lung’.
‘The new building will assist us as a Church through the greater availability of covered liturgical space,’ he said.
‘It will also provide another thoroughfare to the river for the people of Brisbane.’
