The windows of a church can be one of the most striking features of the building. For St Patrick’s Cathedral Toowoomba this is no exception. Whether illuminated from the inside or out, the leadlight windows make a bold statement. Restoring, repairing, and rejuvenating all the windows is the next stage of the larger cathedral project, and its history is proving to be a complicated but interesting journey.
Only two of the original leadlight windows of St Patrick’s Church, opened in 1889, survive to this day. Created by Exton and Gough at Petrie’s Bight, Brisbane, the original design was a simple, clear glass diamond pattern with accents of green, red and yellow. Now 136 years old, you will find the two surviving windows at the northern end of the east and west aisles of the cathedral.
A period of construction between 1932 and 1935 transformed St Patrick’s into a cathedral. As part of this phase, new windows were designed and installed, replacing all but two of the original. While not explicitly recorded as such, it’s assumed the windows were left as a reminder of the past.
These new and additional windows are distinctive in their Art Deco style and dominance of yellow. While not depicting traditional images found in church windows, St Patrick’s windows are full of symbolic elements that draw the eye. Tributes to those who sponsored its creation can also be found in the Apse windows (Downlands College) and the large “butterfly” window over the James Street entrance door. Students of the Christian Brothers contributed financially to the creation of several parts of this front window, which, like the Downlands windows, feature symbols significant to the brothers.
While not included in the scope of works for the 1970s renovations, it was evident that the leadlight windows required attention. In a project that lasted a little over a year, by September 1984, all windows were repaired and releaded. However, this project ultimately proved unsuccessful. Severe weather a month or so later revealed the windows leaked. While the windows were temporarily repaired, by 1986, other significant damage became evident. Bowing and distortion of the leadlight windows revealed defective quality during the restoration project, which was completed only two years prior.
During the following insurance claim and legal battle, two sets of windows were removed in 1993 by an expert to study to prove poor quality workmanship on the windows. These windows were boarded up with plywood and remain so to this day.
This year, work will commence to repair and refresh these beautiful windows once again. The process of collaboration with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), leadlight and stained-glass experts, heritage consultants, engineers and tradespeople has begun. Visitors will soon notice the first of some exciting changes, as the boarded-up windows are temporarily replaced with printed Perspex. While an interim measure, the Perspex will be printed with a design to imitate the missing windows.
Another critical step in preserving and continuing the story of the windows is honouring those who have given generously in the past and offering those in the present the opportunity to add their names or those of their loved ones. According to experts in leadlighting, the practice of including a nameplate within the window design is no longer the norm. This change in practice avoids the conundrum of how to memorialise those who have contributed financially to the same window at different periods in time. As part of the window project, a thoughtful and tasteful way will be found to honour the past while acknowledging the support of the project in the present.
There are 210 windows, amounting to 172.89m2 of area, throughout St Patrick’s Cathedral. Each window is an opportunity to support this next phase of the restoration work. If you are interested in finding out more about being a part of the windows project, please contact Erin Kehoe-O’Shea at ekehoe-oshea@twb.catholic.org.au 0439 346 568.
The windows will continue to be a striking feature of St Patrick’s Cathedral. As the windows are repaired and refreshed, this work will become part of their story.
St Patrick’s Cathedral holds many stories, and the window dedications tell a story of family and dedication to faith. Are you a part of these families or know the history behind these windows? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Please email communications@twb.catholic.org.au or call 07 46027993.
In Memory of the Quane Family
Pray for the Stark and Battaglene Families
In memory of the Cooney Family
Pray for Jose(damage)(Joseph?) and Agnes Ga(damage)e (Gracie?) and Family
Pray for the Maher Stanley Moore Ladd (damage)ch Robinson Scanlon and Cuskelly Families
Pray for Byron and Ellen Morris and Family
Pray for the Sisters of Mercy of St Saviour’s
Pray for the Saide Family
In Memory of Assad Family
In Memory of Saad Family
In Memory of Linwood Family
In Memory of the Collins Family
In Memory of the Keating and Deller (?) Families
Pray for the Brown, Theaker, O’Shea, Fitzgerald Families
Jack and Veralee and Family Pray for us
Pray for SJ Butler the Graham Ditton and Donoghue Families
Pray for the Jones and Benson Families
Pray for the Maher Harrington and Kelly Families
(Damage) Fallon
Pray for Patrick and Kate Frawley and Families
In Memory of the Ludgate and Lynch (Drayton) Families
In Memory of Thomas and Johanna Lillis
Pra(damage) Lill(damage)
In Memory of Mathias Sedl
Pray for Emmet Joseph O’Mara
In Memory of Kath and Frank Fitzpatrick
In memory of the Garrett Family
Pray for TM McNamara Family
Pray for Little Company of Mary Sisters
Pray for Cyril Schrader
Pray for Richard and Doreen Humphris
Records show O’Brien Family donated to unspecified windows and anonymous donations were made towards the windows.
