The Holy Family Church was designed by Douglas and Barnes and was built at the height of church construction in the state, opening in 1963.

Between 1955 and 1965, more churches were built in Queensland than in any decade prior or since.

In this period, the Catholic Church and its architects also increasingly recognized the need to rethink ecclesiastical architecture to cater for modern society.

However, the Liturgical Movement’s progressive ideas for liturgical renewal, formalized by the Catholic Church as part of the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), are not evident in the design of Holy Family.

Its vertical structure and elongated basilica were firmly rooted in pre-conciliar attitudes.

Nonetheless, Holy Family is arguably one of the most expressive and memorable modern churches in Australia.

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