Phone +61 7 3831 2252 | ||
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Address 547 Ann Street, All Hallows' Convent, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia Similar Queensland Police Museum, Queensland Maritime Museum, Commissariat Store - Brisbane, Brisbane's Living Heritage, Brisbane Tramway Museum | ||
The Mercy Heritage Centre Brisbane is a social history museum dedicated to the life and works of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy. Opened in 2001, extensively refurbished, and completed in 2012 the museum is in All Hallows’ Convent, situated within the grounds of All Hallows' School. This historic building (formerly Adderton) was the residence of the Brisbane Sisters from 1863 – 2007. The Mercy Heritage Centre run public tours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9.30am, 11am, 1pm & 2.30pm. Tours for special interest groups and school groups must be pre booked.
Contents
Exhibitions
There are currently 26 exhibition elements covering a range of themes. The main exhibitions include; Death & the Saints, Catherine McAuley, Musical Traditions, Becoming a Sister, Changing Habits and Works of Mercy. Other exhibitions and displays cover topics such as; beginnings of the mercy order, history of All Hallows' School, history of Brisbane's Catholic Bishops & Archbishops, convent life, traditions and recreation.
All Hallows' Convent
The original core of the building (Adderton) was constructed in 1858 by John Petrie and remains one of Brisbane's few pre-separation structures and one of the oldest surviving buildings in Queensland. Purchased for the Sisters of Mercy in 1863 and renamed Convent of Our Lady of Mercy All Hallows’ on 1 November 1863, it was the first permanent home of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy and as Mother House, the centre and source of growth for convents and schools throughout Queensland. Thus All Hallows' Convent became the base for a broad network of health, education and social welfare programs. Significant extensions were made to the convent in 1892, 1913 & 1919.
All Hallows' Chapel
The Chapel was constructed as part of the 1892 Convent extensions, blessed on 1 March of the same year and further extended in 1919. The earlier section is of Victorian style while the latter is early- Renaissance. The interior was refurbished in 1968 in accordance with Vatican II changes. The Chapel is now managed by the Mercy Heritage Centre and includes displays, photographs and information relating to; the buildings evolution, religious practice, vestments and stained glass windows.