Queensland Holidays - The Official Tourism Site for Queensland
Corner Quarrion Street
Quilpie
Queensland 4480 Australia
St Finbarrs Church
Quilpie,
South West
Free Entry
Description
Home to one of Quilpie Shire's most iconic attractions, St Finbarr's Church rests on the foundations of an intriguing history.
In 1976, the Priest at the time, Father John Ryan, decided to compliment the opal mining background of the area by commissioning local miner, Des Burton, to install a border of opal around the carving of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
... moreInstead, Des offered the Priest 'a bit on the wall'. This turned out to be almost an entire wall, which is now installed on St Finbarr's altar, lectern and baptismal font.
Des Burton, the father of the boulder opal industry, is largely responsible for putting Queensland Boulder Opals on the world stage. He was a chemist with a pharmacy in Quilpie and spent many years mining opal and opening up the market worldwide. By the 1980s, Des had opened several retailing outlets including Quilpie Opals in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall.
Bill Durack was part of a Toowoomba Architectural firm who designed Quilpie's St Finbarr's Church. Bill and his sister Mary Durack, author of Kings in Grass Castles, donated the beautiful glass windows in the western side of the church, in memory of their famous ancestors.
... lessProperty Details
Facilities
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Assisted Access
Activities
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Walking
Open Times
Other Information
Children:
Children are welcome.
Entity Restrictions
St Finbarr's Church is a non-smoking establishment.
How To Get There
St Finbarr's Church is situated on the corner of Bulnbuln Street and Quarrion Street, Quilpie. A brochure with a map of the Township of Quilpie is available at the Quilpie Shire Council Visitor Information Centre. The easy to follow Town Map has the location of St Finbarr's Church clearly marked.
Free Entry
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