St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral

The Catholic Church in Rockhampton dates from the days of early settlement, although the Diocese of Rockhampton was not created until 1882. The first Mass was celebrated in 1862 in the Court House, and the first St Joseph's Church was opened on 4 January 1863 on the corner of Derby and Alma Streets. The site for the Cathedral was acquired in 1877, and by 1892 plans for the building had been completed by the Brisbane colonial architect, F.D.G. Stanley. Construction commenced in the mid 1890s, but it was not until 15 October 1899 that this fine neo-gothic sandstone building with twin towers and spires was opened. A 'temporary' wall closed off the East end until the building was completed in simple Gothic style and dedicated on 22 May 1982.

The organ was built in 1925-26 by Whitehouse Bros of Brisbane at a cost of £1320. Installation in Rockhampton was in progress by late April 1926, when the instrument was described as follows in the local press:

New Pipe Organ.

An exceptionally fine pipe organ has been built by Messrs. Whitehouse Brothers, Brisbane, for the St Joseph's Cathedral parish, and its erection in the choir gallery of the cathedral is now being supervised by Mr. J. H Whitehouse, a member of the firm.

Organ Specification

COUPLERS

• Great to Pedal
• Swell to Pedal
• Swell to Great
• Swell Sub Octave
• Swell Octave
• Swell Sub to Great
• Swell Octave to Great

ACCESSORIES

• Swell tremulant
• Attached stopkey console
• Pneumatic action
• Compass: 58/30
• Trigger swell pedal
• Pedalboard: radiating & concave
• 2 combinations pistons (& cancel) to Great
• 2 combinations pistons (& cancel) to Swell