Dublin, Queensland
Mercy Heritage Centre
Since their arrival in Brisbane on 10th May 1861, the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation have established a variety of significant health, education, and social welfare programs throughout the state - from Townsville in the north, to Roma in the west, and south to Stanthorpe on the border - and missions in Papua New Guinea and other overseas locations.
The Mercy Heritage Centre is dedicated to preserving the work of the Mercy Sisters, and their well-provenanced history, and maintains collections of relevant artefacts. We also serve as a contact for the Congregational Archives, Mater Hospital Archives, and All Hallows' School Archives.
Address:
547 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD
Tel:
0738312252
Hours:
Monday and Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm; guided tours at 10am and 3.15pm on open days. Other times available by appointment and group bookings welcome.
Email:
Admission:
Free, though gold coin donation encouraged
Collection:
Over 25,000 objects and archival records which relate to the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation, from 1861 to the present. The collection encompasses material in these and other categories: education at a number of schools and other institutions; social welfare programs and institutions; medicine and health at the Mater Hospitals; missions in Papua New Guinea; artwork; furniture; photographs; correspondence; and of course religion and women.
Subject:
- Archive
- Historic Site
- Social History Museum
- Architecture
- Art
- Photographs
- Drawings and Prints
- Furniture
- Illuminated Manuscripts
- Painting
- Archives
- EducationAndSchools
- Historic Buildings
- Historic People
- Human Rights
- Images
- Local History
- Medals and Badges
- Migration
- Organisations
- Politics
- Religion
- Social History
- Women
- Clocks
- Clothing, Fashion, Costume
- Medicine and Health
- Pacific Cultures
- Music
Items
Harp
Erard Gothic Harp
Description:
The harp was a gift to Sister Mary Claver Mullany, a talented musician, and both arrived in Brisbane on board the "Storm King" on the 5th May 1873. A letter, dated 28th January 1873 prior to her departure from Dublin, and an inventory list for shipping are in association with this object.
Date:
c1870
Walnut Table
Walnut Table
Description:
Walnut Table from the Convent of the Assumption Warwick, beautifully carved and inlaid but currently undated.
Queensland
Engraving
Engraving by Gustav Dore
Creator:
Gustav Dore
Description:
An engraving by Gustav Dore, dated by the artist 1867-70, depicting the sentencing of Jesus and the taking up of the Cross. Dore was a well-known French artist, some of whose works hang in the Louvre. He illustrated over 400 books and is famous for: Dante "The Inferno" (1861), Miguel De Cervantes "Don Quixote" (1863), John Milton "Paradise Lost" (1865), Edgar Allen Poe "The Raven", Dante "Divine Comedy", as well as the works of Dumas, Byron, and Tennyson. This is one of four known Dore works within the collection of the Sisters of Mercy, donated to them by George Wilkie Gray - an early parliamentarian in Queensland and great benefactor of the Sisters.
Date:
1867-70
Louvre, France, Queensland
An ivory crucifix
An ivory crucifix
Description:
An ivory crucifix believed to have been in All Hallows' Convent since the 1860s
Date:
c1860
Queensland
A Bible
A Bible
Description:
Published 1875, and used in St Mary's Convent Ipswich for many years.
Date:
1875
Ipswich