Goodna’s spiritual life has been a defining feature of the suburb since its earliest days. From the 1881 sandstone splendour of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church through to vibrant modern Pacific Islander congregations, faith communities here are diverse, welcoming and deeply embedded in the social fabric of the suburb.
Whatever your tradition — or even if you don’t belong to one — the heritage churches of Goodna are part of the architectural and cultural heart of the suburb. Here’s the local guide.
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church — the heritage jewel
The single most architecturally significant building in Goodna is the St Francis Xavier Catholic Church (originally St Patrick’s). The foundation stone was laid in 1880 by Bishop James Quinn and the church opened the following year, designed by celebrated colonial architect Andrea Stombuco from sandstone quarried in nearby Stuart Street.
Renamed St Francis Xavier in 1924, the church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and remains an active Catholic parish. The church became the nucleus of the new village pulled away from the flood-prone river bank in the late 19th century — and around it stand the former Sisters of Mercy Convent (1911) and the original Catholic primary school (1910), forming a substantial heritage precinct.
Visiting St Francis Xavier
The church and the heritage precinct are best appreciated on a weekday morning when the sandstone catches the early light. Mass times and contact details for the parish are listed on the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese website. The church grounds are also home to St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School.
A community of many faiths
Historically, Goodna has been home to four established Protestant congregations alongside the Catholic parish. The first Congregational church opened in 1863. The original Presbyterian church (1915) stood on Church Street as part of the suburb’s main civic precinct, though it was demolished under controversial circumstances in 2006. The Primitive Methodist Church was carried downstream during the great flood of 1893, only to be rebuilt in Smiths Road and serve until 1984.
Today, Goodna’s faith landscape reflects the suburb’s deep multiculturalism. Pacific Islander congregations — particularly Samoan and Tongan — have a strong presence, often meeting in community halls and dedicated church buildings. The suburb’s Vietnamese community contributes a Catholic and Buddhist presence. Pentecostal and evangelical congregations also have a footprint.
Churches in and near Goodna
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Heritage-listed, 1880–81 sandstone church on Church Street. Active parish, school adjoining.
Westside Christian College Chapel
Linked to the Christian college on Stuart Street, founded 1977.
Pacific Islander Congregations
Multiple Samoan and Pacific Islander churches serve the local community — vibrant Sunday worship and cultural events.
Pentecostal & evangelical churches
Several active congregations meet in Goodna and surrounding suburbs.
A myriad of places of worship contribute positively to the community’s spiritual fabric.
The heritage walking tour
If you’re interested in Goodna’s church heritage specifically, a short self-guided walk takes in the most significant sites:
- Start at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church — admire the sandstone exterior designed by Andrea Stombuco.
- Walk around to the former Sisters of Mercy Convent (1911) and original Catholic primary school (1910) on the same precinct.
- Continue along Church Street — the historic civic spine of the suburb.
- Pause at the Diggers Rest War Memorial at the corner of Queen and Church Streets (1921).
- Finish at the site of the demolished Presbyterian Church — a reminder of the suburb’s wider faith history.