Rosewood History Qld.

First and Last Weddings at St Brigid’s Catholic Church

© Jane Schy 2025

Florence Fenwick Miller (1854–1935) was an English journalist, author and social reformer of the late 19th and early 20th century. She was for four years the editor and proprietor of The Woman’s Signal, an early and influential feminist journal.

In 1889 she wrote about “The Risks of Marriage.” I found it amusing so I thought I would share it with you.

Marriage is indeed a risk so great, a change so complete in the conditions of life that she would be a shallow-minded girl who stepped lightly and fearlessly towards it. The thoughtful maiden, leaving long-tried affection and familiar scenes even for the man of her choice, cannot but feel how serious is the moment. The brief wedding ceremony gives her a new relation, and one who will have a power over her fate and a nearness to her whole existence that belongs to no relative of blood. To marry wisely, how much should be known and thought about. It is not only a question of position and of character, it is one also of tendencies for the future. 

The man of tomorrow is not as the man of today. New ancestral tendencies will arouse by degrees in him. What does the bride know of the bridegroom’s grandfathers! But as at twenty-five he suffers from his maternal grandfather’s headaches, and at fifty will limp with gout inherited from his other grandfather, so the generous, free-handed youth may become the skinflint of middle life, or the serious man of business at thirty may be restless and speculative at fifty, for exactly the same reason. 

Well, one marries the youth, and then the middle-aged man has to be reckoned with in course of time; and then old age, with new tendencies and tempers, come on. 

Ay, and the bride changes too. She becomes the mother, the house-mistress; perhaps absorbed in matronly cares, dull and ill-dressed, or perhaps the elderly flirt and useless gadabout, for whom her own growing sons and daughters blush; and the man who married her for better or worse is amazed when he looks back on what he hoped and expected of her, and contrasts it with what is. 

What a risk, to form a union of choice to last through all the changes of life! When one looks at it calmly and in the philosophical distance, one is amazed that men and women ever have the courage to marry at all.

But marry they did!

In the beginning years, our Rosewood settlers of the Roman Catholic faith attended Mass at Ipswich, sometimes making the journey on foot. French priest Rev. Father Pere (Henri) Brunn was ministering to the families at the Seven Mile and Grandchester as early as 1863 and he conducted the first Mass in Rosewood in the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Moran in 1872 . There were about half a dozen Catholic families in the area at that time. Father Brunn was succeeded by Father Horan.

Rev. Father Andrew Horan secured 20 good sites for churches in centres outside of Ipswich and on 14 of those sites he arranged for wooden chuches to be built.

Father Horan celebrated Mass at the home of Mr. James Ryan at the Rising Sun Hotel around 1873. This venue continued to be used through the years as it passed into the Sloane family’s hands in 1881 and on until the opening of the first Catholic church on 2nd August 1885. The church was built by Mr. Lukas Ulrich and dedicated by the Right Rev. Dr. Dunne as “St. Bridget’s” after the patroness of Ireland. It was situated in Railway Street.

Even after the church was built, Catholic weddings took place either at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ipswich or in private residences with a priest attending, as there was no priest in residence in Rosewood. The first report of a wedding in the church was that of Michael Francis Joseph Kelly and Hanora Mary O’Neil in 1900.

THE FIRST WEDDING IN THE CHURCH

Michael Francis Joseph KELLY: 1870-1943 – Son of Daniel KELLY and Bridget TOUNDRE
Honarah Mary O’NEIL: 1872-1905 – Daughter of John O’NEIL and Margaret McCARTHY

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld.), Thursday. 19 July 1900, page 5

ORANGE BLOSSOMS. KELLY-O’NEILL.
On Wednesday, the 4th instant, the Roman Catholic Church at Rosewood was the scene of a gay assemblage, who visited the sacred edifice to witness the solemnisation of a marriage contracted by Mr. M. F. J. Kelly, or the Merryvale School, with Miss Nora O’Neill, of Mount Walker. 

The bride, who was supported by her father, was attired in a lovely white brocha silk. She wore a wreath and veil, and the dress, which was made at the Temple of Fashion, Ipswich, was trimmed in the latest Paris style with white chiffon and adorned with sprays of orange blossoms. The bridesmaid, Miss M. O’Neill, wore a white dress made in the latest style, a picture hat, and blue sashes. Mr. S. Kelly acted as best man. 

The marriage having been duly solemnised, the Rev. James Duhig celebrated the nuptial mass, and before its conclusion delivered a short address appropriate to the ceremonies of the day. Thereafter a pleasant drive of about two hours brought the wedding guests to the residence of the bride’s parents, where a sumptuous feast was provided, during which the usual toasts were honoured in the most approved manner. 

On the following day the newly-wedded pair went to the seaside. Her travelling dress, a most stylish costume of dark green with shot silk front to match, suited the bride admirably. She was the recipient of many valuable presents, chief of which were cheques from Mr. D. Kelly and Mr. J. Kelly, Brisbane, Mr. and Mrs. J. O’Neill, Mr. J. O’Neill, jun., and Mr. William O’Neill, Mount Walker, Mrs. G. H. Kingston, Mount Walker, and Mrs. M. Higgins, Warwick; silver cruets, Miss Kelly, Brisbane, and the Misses Handy, Rosalie; complete set of silver cutlery, Mr. B. Kelly, Brisbane; solid silver tea-pots, Miss Fitzpatrick, Ipswich, Mrs. Thomas, Ipswich, and Mr. B. Kilfeder, Brisbane; solid silver butter cooler, Mrs. Ryan, Silkstone; handsome silver jelly dish, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Wilson, Mount Walker; silver butter dish, Mr. M. Ryan, Brisbane; lamps from Mrs. Fullekrug, Merryvale, Mr. J. Ryan, Rosevale, and Mr. F. A. Kingston, Mount Walker; pair silver serviette rings, Mr. and Mrs. Hart, Coomera; cushions, Miss M. O’Neill, Mount Walker, and Mrs. Berry, Ipswich; handsome pair water jugs, Mr. H. F: B. Kelly, Warra, near Dalby; vegetable dishes, Mrs. D. Ryan, Ipswich; handsome tea sets, Mrs. D. Kelly, Brisbane, the Misses Ryan, Redbank Plains, and Miss Massie, Valley. A very handsome present came from Mr. and Mrs. M. M’Carthy, Ipswich; silver breakfast cruet and pair of jelly dishes, Mrs. J. K. Burn, Rosewood; handsome eight-day clock, Mr. and Mrs. Ruhno, Rosewood; butter dish and knife, Mr. and Mrs. R. Hodge, Rosewood; pair of vases, Mr. A. E. Maher, Rosewood; Mrs. R. Ahearne, Mount Walker, half-a-dozen cups and saucers; Miss Ahearne, pair of water jugs and breakfast cruet; Miss J. Ahearne, butter basin and sugar basin; Miss A. Ahearne, pair vases; Mr. J. Ahearne, moustache cup; water jug and fruit stand, Miss K. Ryan, Helidon; half-a dozen china, Miss Ryan, Mount Walker; jelly dish, Mr. John Ryan; butter dish, Mr. Joseph Ryan; breakfast cruet, Mr. M. J. Sullivan, Bremer Valley; pair vases, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Donald, Mount Walker, and Miss M. Moran, Red Hill; pair bread plates, Mr. O. Oldham, Red Hill; and pair fruit stands, Mr. J. Doherty, Mount Walker.

THE LAST WEDDING IN THE OLD CHURCH

The last wedding celebrated in the church prior to a new and larger church being built was that of:-

Johan Christian “Dick” WOCKNER: 1881-1958 – Son of Frederick WOCKNER and Anna Maria KOLB
Ellen “Ella” McCARTHY: 1883-1918 – Daughter of William Patrick MCCARTHY and Bridget COYLE

The Rosewood Register published this report on 28th October 1909.

WOCKNER— McCARTHY.
Quite a crowd of spectators assembled at St. Bridget’s Church, Rosewood, on Wednesday afternoon, the 20th October, when Miss Ella McCarthy (second daughter of Mrs B. M’Carthy, of ‘Clarefield,’ Thagoona), was married to Mr Christopher  Wockner (son of the late Mr F. Wockner, of “Rosalie,” Jondaryan). 

The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion by the girl friends of the bride. The Rev. P. Brady performed the marriage ceremony. The bride entered the church escorted by her brother, Mr J. J. M’Carthy (who subsequently gave her away) to the strains of the ‘Wedding March,’ played on the organ by Miss Cissie Sloane. She wore a charming costume of cream canvas voile. Empire mode, the graceful skirt finished with padded hem and French knots: bodice elaborately hemmed with tucked Tosca net and silk and edgings of ball fringe, finished with sprays of lilies of the valley. With this was worn a dainty hat of silk crin in delicate mauve tints, new drooped shape, wreathed with heliotrope flowers and foliage. She wore a gold cross and chain (the gift of her mother), and carried a beautiful shower bouquet, composed of white roses, freezias, ranunculus, and asparagus (the gift of the bridegroom). 

The bride was attended by two bridesmaids. Miss Annie M’Carthy, sister of the bride (chief), and Miss Kathleen M Carthy (niece). The former’s pretty gown was of white Swiss organdie muslin, made semi-Empire. The front panel of skirt was of insertion to match the trimming of bodice, which was finished with yoke of fine French Valencienne; the tight sleeves had also bands of insertion. Her hat was of cream crin, with pale blue under neath, flowers to harmonise and pale blue streamers. Miss Kathleen M’Carthy wore a semi-Empire frock of white organdie, with French lace yoke, and pale blue ribbons; hat of pale blue crin, trimmed with gathered chiffon and streamers. Both bridesmaids carried shower bouquets, and wore pretty gold brooches (the gifts of the bridegroom). The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a pair of gold sleeve links. 

Mr Andrew Wockner was best man.

Mrs McCarthy (mother of the bride) wore a handsome dress of black brocade, toque of black chiffon. Miss Rose Wockner (sister of the bride groom), coat and skirt of cream serge, black picture hat with floral trimmings ; Miss A. Gentner (niece of bridegroom), very pretty costume of white muslin, picture hat; Mrs D. M’Carthy (sister-in-law of bride), coat and skirt of white Sicilienne. ‘Dolly Varden’ hat with salmon silk ruchings and flowers, black velvet streamers; Miss M. O’Neill (cousin of bride), pretty blue floral muslin dress with lace and net trimmings, pale blue hat ; Mrs J. M’Carthy (sister-in-iaw of bride), handsome gown of brown Shantung, black picture hat, with ostrich plumes. 

As the newly-married couple left the church the ‘Wedding March’ was again played, and they were showered with rice and confetti. With the large party of guests they then drove to Thagoona to the residence of the bride’s mother, where Mrs McCarthy received and welcomed them. She was assisted by her eldest daughter, Miss Mary McCarthy. After Mr and Mrs Wockner had received the congratulations of their friends, an adjournment was made to the spacious verandahs, which had been screened in. Here a sumptuous wedding breakfast was pre pared, the tables being laden with delacacies of all descriptions, the central feature being the handsome three-tier wedding cake, made by Mr H. Dow, of Rosewood. 

In the absence of the Rev. P. Brady (who was called away) Mr D. T. Keogh, M.L.A., presided. After full justice had been done to the good things Mr Keogh proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, wishing them every measure of happiness and prosperity. The bridegroom responded in a neat speech. The health of Mrs M’Carthy, mother of the bride (one of the oldest and most esteemed residents) was then proposed and drunk with musical honours. Mr J. McCarthy replied on her mother’s behalf. ‘The Bridesmaids,’ by Mr Centner, was responded to by Mr J. V. Creedy, who also proposed the toast of ‘The Ladies.’ Mr P. McCarthy made a happy speech, welcoming the guests, and thanking them for their kindly expressions with reference to his mother.

Afterwards, the guests indulged in dancing, and a very pleasant night was spent, most of them remaining till the small hours of next day. Music was supplied by Messrs Hahm (accordeon), P. M’Carthy, J. Farrell, and Master A. Boughen. 

Mr and Mrs Wockner departed by the evening train for Brisbane, enroute to Tweed Heads, where the honeymoon will be spent. Mrs Wockner travelled in a coat and skirt of brown silk, striped eolienne, vest of cream net and lace; hat to harmonise. On their return they will take up their residence at ‘Kingsley,’ Rosalie, Jondaryan.

THE FIRST WEDDING IN THE NEW CHURCH

On 13th February 1910, a new and larger Roman Catholic Church was formally opened and dedicated as “St Brigid’s” by Bishop James Duhig.

Hugh RAFTER: 1884-1954 – Son of Patrick James RAFTER and Bridget O’SHEA
Maud Ethel FARRELL: 1883-1969 – Daughter of John FARRELL and Margaret McCUE

Catholic Advocate (Brisbane, Qld.), Saturday 27 April 1912, page 28

WEDDING BELLS    RAFTER- FARRELL
The first wedding in the beautiful new edifice, St. Brigid’s Church, Rosewood, was celebrated on Tuesday, 16th inst., and naturally caused a good deal on interest, the contracting parties being Mr. Hugh Rafter, eldest son of Mr. Patrick Rafter of Grandchester and Miss Maud Ethel Farrell, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Farrell, of John-street, Rosewood. 

The Rev. Father Patrick Brady performed the marriage ceremony, and afterwards celebrated the Nuptial Mass, in the course of which the bride and bridegroom and their friends received Holy Communion. The church had been artistically decorated by friends of the bride. The choir, with Miss Cissie Sloane as organist, sang, and as an offertory, Miss Cissie Farrell, rendered very devotionally Mascheroni’s “Ave Maria.” 

The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly attired in a gown of French grey crepe-de-chine over glace silk; the high waisted skirt made with short tunic, and caught in by band of beautiful oriental embroidery in soft shades of pink, silver and grey bodice prettily tucked on shoulder to give the magyar effect, one side finished with pointed rever beaded in silver and pink, beads; the other side had a band of oriental insertion with vandyke edge; yoke and under sleeves of grey tosca net over ivory ninon-de sole, with motifs of oriental insertion: “Quaker” hat of grey pailette silk with erect drenched plume in same shade. Her gold necklet with olivines and pearls and her beautiful shower bouquet of white dahlias, niphetos, tuberoses were the bridegroom’s gifts. 

Miss Nellie Farrell attended her sister and wore a stylish gown of cream Indian cashmere skirt with pointed side panels, edged with cream military silk braid and finished with buttons; bodice with yoke and undersleeves of shadow net, inner vest of oriental embroidery; one sided rever trimmed with broad military braid; “Chocolate Soldier” hat of cream, finished with wings. She wore a gold necklet set with pearls and garnets which with her pretty shower bouquet were also the bridegroom’s gifts. Mr. F. Rafter acted as best man. 

On leaving the church the church the happy couple received a shower of rice, confetti, and rose leaves. Afterwards, a wedding breakfast was held at the residence of the bride’s parents, at which only the immediate relatives were present. Mr B. Sloane presided. The usual toasts incidental to such occasions were honoured. The handsome three-tier wedding cake, the work of Mr. J. Evers, was much admired. Mr. and Mrs. Rafter left by the afternoon train for their honeymoon, which will be spent in Toowoomba and the Downs. The bride travelled in a smart coat and skirt of navy serge, over vest of net; hat of grey straw with green feathers. On their return they will take up their residence in Ipswich. Many valuable and useful presents were received. The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a set of silver-mounted brushes.

I will mention, as matter of interest, the first wedding at St Brigid’s church after the new Rosewood parish was formed in 1915 was that of Alfred Wagner and Minnie Kelly on 11th September. Father Maurice Lane officiated. Then on 8th December two weddings were held at the Church. George James Keane married Mary Agnes Redmond, then David Morgan and Marian Bourke were married at noon, both couples being joined in Holy matrimony by the Rev. Father Timothy Kelleher. Rev. Kelleher was Rosewood parish’s first resident priest.

About the Priests…

The Most Reverend Sir James Duhig
Born: 2 September 1871, Broadford, Limerick, Ireland
Father: John Duhig
Mother: Margaret Barry

Before Rosewood became a separate parish in 1915, it was part of Ipswich parish. Rev James Duhig   immigrated with his parents aged 13 on the Merkara in 1885. He attended Christian Brothers in Brisbane. He left for Europe in 1891 and entered the Irish College and was ordained in the Basilica of St John Leteran, Rome in 1896. Rev. Duhig was appointed to Ipswich as assistant priest in 1897 and travelled by horseback (and later by train) throughout the parish over some dreadful dusty and muddy roads to say Mass, baptise, marry and bury people. Rosewood was one of his stops. In June 1903, the parishioners of St Brigid’s Church met in the Farmers’ Hall to present Rev. Duhig with a purse of sovereigns. Michael Bourke did the honour in recognition of the work Rev. Duhig had done in beautifying their little church and giving it the devotional appearance it had at the time. Rev. Duhig became Bishop of Rockhampton in 1905, Coadjutor Archbishop of Brisbane in 1912, and Archbishop of Brisbane in 1917. The Most Reverend Sir James Duhig D.D., K.C.M.G., L.L.D. died in 1965 and in interred at the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane.

Reverend Dean Patrick Brady
Born: 4 Feb. 1867 Kiltycon County Longford, Ireland
Father: Philip Brady
Mother: Margaret Mulligan

Patrick studied at All Hallows, Dublin and was ordained 24th June 1893 and after arriving in Australia the same year, he was appointed to St. Stephen’ Cathedral in Brisbane. He was sent to Roma in 1894 and returned in 1898 and was appointed to Ipswich. Patrick went to Gayndah in late December 1912 where he celebrated his Silver Jubilee in June 1918 (25 years since his ordination). On the occasion he was presented with a statue of St Patrick by his parishioners. Father Brady was the leading figure in the erection of a new St Joseph’s Church and convent in Gayndah and also for those at Reid’s Creek and Byrnestown.  In November 1922 he was transferred to Maryborough parish where he served until 1925. Dean Patrick Brady found the responsibilities of Maryborough too onerous and asked to be moved to Brisbane, resulting in a transfer which saw him establish the Parish of Banyo (St Pius Church). Retiring in 1945, he died on Easter Sunday of 1951 at Redcliffe aged 84 years, having rendered nearly 60 years of service to the Church and for some years had been the oldest Priest of the Archdiocese. He is interred at the Nudgee Cemetery.