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The Brisbane Courier
on Monday 4 September 1876:
 "Yesterday
afternoon was chosen by the Christian Brothers to formally open their
convent on Gregory Terrace. Shortly before four o'clock a large number
of persons had assembled in the building and a few minutes later the Right
Rev Dr Quinn arrived for the purpose of performing the ceremony. The religious
services in connection with this were conducted in a neat little chapel
in the eastern wing of the building and several members of St Stephen's
choir lent choral and instrumental aid. His Lordship, accompanied by Revs
G. Dillon and J. O'Reilly went over the building, blessing each part as
he proceeded. Eventually he returned to the chapel where the offices of
the Holy Sacrament were performed. The building was then declared open
and the Bishop delivered a brief sermon to the assemblage outside.
"The Christian
Brothers' Convent School is situated in an allotment containing about
an acre and a half of land, at the junction of Rodgers Street with Gregory
Terrace and presented to the Brothers by Mr Daniel McSweeney. The site
is on the crest of Gregory Terrace and is most satisfactory as far as
the health of pupils would appear to be concerned, there being a most
agreeable prospect to it. Victoria Park lies in front with a view extending
to Breakfast Creek in the rear. The grounds are well enclosed with a paling
fence and are being made suitable for a playground. The building so far
consists of a centre portion and one wing, the intention being to erect
another as soon as possible. In appearance it compares favourably with
other schools in the city, the design chosen being that known as the Elizabethan.
 "Entering
by a very handsome carved cedar front door, the vestibule is reached,
enclosed at the inner end by glazed doors, while on the immediate left
is the reception room 18 feet by 11 feet, behind which is a dining room
18 feet by 19 feet. From the vestibule is a passage leading to a corridor
on the right and opening first into a library 20 feet square and then
to a room 26 feet by 20 feet intended for a general classroom. From the
passage rises a handsome staircase with cedar banisters and newel posts
leading also to a corridor, on either side of which are the dormitories,
10 feet square intended for the teachers. It also opens to a bath-room
the water for which is forced up from an underground tank capable of holding
some 6000 gallons.
"This corridor
also leads into leads into a neat chapel, 35 feet by 18 feet in the east
wing. The roof of this is varnished pine, octagonally laid on, and 25
feet from the floor. In the front is a handsome window, ornamented with
mullions and racery; three side windows of a similar character and a fifth
at the back, the whole of which are to be fitted with stained glass, while
in the walls are several niches suitable for receiving decorative inscriptions.
Above the ceiling of the chapel the belfry is situated. At the rear of
the building there is a verandah for promenading. At the rear of the building
there is a kitchen 20 feet by 18 feet, a dining-room of the same size
and a scullery 16 feet by 10 feet with pump, sinks, etc, convenient.
 "Noticeable
features about the building are some excellent glazed floor tiles and
an improved system of ventilation by the ascension of air through the
walls with apertures in the window-sills as opposed to that by open windows.
The former system was introduced by Signor Stombuco, the architect, who
claims for it the advantage of being more agreeable, more effective and
more safe to health than any other, as it works with the windows and doors
shut. The building has been erected in first-class style by Mr J.A.M.
O'Keeffe and will cost upwards of L4000.
"It is expected
that the building will be fitted up and ready for pupils in the course
of a month."
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