St Stephen's Chapel Wedding Venue Guide

Overview and History

St Stephen's Chapel, also known as the Pugin Chapel and formerly Old St Stephen's Church, is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic chapel located at 249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia. The chapel was designed by renowned Gothic Revival architect Augustus Pugin and constructed between 1848 and 1850 by builders Alexander Goold and Andrew Petrie. The first Mass was celebrated in the church on 12 May 1850 when Brisbane had only sixty Catholic families.

The chapel holds significant historical importance as the first permanent church in what is now Queensland and later became the first Cathedral after Queensland's separation from New South Wales. The building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 and was rededicated as St Stephen's Chapel on 5 February 1999 by Archbishop John Bathersby.

Key Features and Amenities

The chapel showcases distinctive Gothic Revival architecture with striking design elements:

• Locally quarried sandstone construction with a slate roof

• Simple rectangular nave with a square chancel connected via an arch

• A small square sacristy attached to the north side of the chancel

• A square porch at the south-west end of the nave

• Imported stained glass windows from Munich

• A magnificent West window depicting Christ in glory and the story of St Stephen

• A rood bar with a crucifix separating the nave from the apse

The chapel's interior is flexible and functional. The seating and sanctuary can be rearranged to suit various purposes, including weddings, small group Masses, meditation gatherings, and spiritual talks or musical performances. The apse space contains a diocesan shrine of Mary MacKillop.

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Capacity and Layout:

The chapel provides an intimate worship space suitable for smaller celebrations. While specific seating capacity is not detailed in available information, the venue is described as a small-scale worship space within the cathedral precinct.

Available Spaces:

The venue includes two distinct areas:

• The Cathedral of St Stephen (the main cathedral building) - offers multiple ceremony time slots

• St Stephen's Chapel - provides a smaller, more intimate setting

Booking Times:

The Cathedral of St Stephen offers the following Saturday ceremony times (pending availability):

• 10:00am - 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday of each month

• 1:00pm - Every Saturday (May, June, July, August)

• 1:30pm - Every Saturday (January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December)

• 3:00pm - Every Saturday (May, June, July, August)

• 3:30pm - Every Saturday (January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December)

• 11:30am - Every Saturday (St Stephen's Chapel)

• 4:30pm - Every Saturday (St Stephen's Chapel)

Weekday ceremonies are also available except Tuesdays, with times negotiable and subject to availability.

Catering Arrangements and Options

The search results do not provide specific information about catering arrangements, menu options, or whether catering is provided on-site or through external vendors. Couples should contact the cathedral directly for details about catering policies and available options.

On-Site Accommodation

No information about on-site accommodation is available in the provided search results. Couples should inquire directly with the venue regarding any accommodation options or recommendations for nearby hotels.

Unique Characteristics of the Venue

Heritage and Architectural Significance:

St Stephen's Chapel is a state heritage-listed building with exceptional historical and architectural value. The venue underwent meticulous restoration based on historical research and heritage reports, including reconstruction of the bell tower, stone tracery in windows, and reinstatement of the timber shingle roof.

Location and Surroundings:

The chapel is situated in the heart of Brisbane's city center at 249 Elizabeth Street, providing an inner-city location ideal for city reception plans. The venue benefits from proximity to heritage lanes and nearby buildings, making it an excellent backdrop for wedding photography. The cathedral precinct serves as an oasis within the busy city environment.

Spiritual Significance:

As a pivotal church of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, the venue holds special spiritual significance for the Catholic community. The chapel serves the Catholic community with daily Catholic services, and other liturgies including weddings, baptisms, and funerals are regularly celebrated. Ecumenical, interfaith, and civil services are also part of the cathedral ministry.

Practical Considerations for Couples

Booking Requirements:

To secure a wedding booking, couples must:

• Submit a completed Wedding Booking Form

• Sign the Terms & Conditions

• Pay a 75% deposit of the booking cost at the time of booking

• The deposit includes a non-refundable booking fee of $300

Payment Terms:

• Full payment must be received six weeks prior to the wedding date, or late fees will be applied

• If the wedding is cancelled within three months of the booked date, there will be no refund of the paid deposit

Contact Information:

• Address: 249 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia

• Phone: (07) 3324 3030

• Email: cathedral@bne.catholic.net.au

• Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday

Additional Services:

The venue offers weekday tours at 10:30am (right after the 10am mass) for those interested in viewing the space before booking.

Photography Opportunities:

Brisbane wedding photographers favor the Cathedral of St Stephen for its stunning architecture, vaulted arch ceilings, and excellent access to heritage lanes and surrounding buildings, making it an ideal backdrop for wedding photography.