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Sale of Old Friary and ongoing plans: update

The Old Friary, the beautiful property at Kenmore Hills, which was of enormous historical and spiritual significance to the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane for ninety years, and to the broader community, was sold to Uniting Care to complement their adjoining Iona Retirement Village and residential aged care facility. The property ownership was transferred in June 2021. Importantly, special conditions of the sale were intended to ensure that the Old Friary remains a community-focused heritage oasis into the future.  

One significant benefit is that worship is allowed to continue in the Chapel, for the time being under the protectorship of the Anglican Parish of Kenmore/Brookfield.  Worship therefore continues to be held on Sunday evenings at 5.30 pm in the Chapel of St Mary, St Francis and St Clare.    

We understand that Uniting Care's intention is to use the Old Friary land to extend Iona to become a much larger facility, including the building of a multitude of independent living units. However, the development is currently on hold. 

Importantly, it is intended that the three heritage listed buildings* on the site will be upgraded so that they can continue to be used by the broader community. 

It is our sincere hope that Uniting Care will do their utmost to preserve the heritage value and spiritual character of the Old Friary, so that its role in the community, while transformed, will continue in a meaningful way in perpetuity.  

*Heritage Listed   In 2017, Brisbane City Council acknowledged the historical significance of the Old Friary Complex [St Christopher’s Lodge (large house), St Clare’s Cottage and the Chapel] by including it on their heritage register.  Set amongst 2.6 hectares (6.5 acres) of parkland in Kenmore Hills, this significant property has been a place of spiritual nurture and sanctuary for decades.  The chapel was beautifully decorated by the Reverend David Binns while he was Director of the Brookfield Centre for Christian Spirituality and it is mentioned in the BCC Heritage Citation.

To gain more insight into the character of the Old Friary, please see our Photo Gallery page and About the Old Friary

Short history of the Friary in the Anglican Diocese    Fr Robert Bates, an Anglican priest and Franciscan, purchased the site in 1932, so the Old Friary was in Anglican hands for ninety years. In 1955, Fr Bates bequeathed it to the Archbishop of the day.  Based on Franciscan values, the site has been used to care for others:  aged men (1932-4), as a school for orphaned or disadvantaged boys (1934-1955), for Comrades or St George and youth camps (1956-1964), as a Friary for the Franciscan order (1965-1987) whose outreach to the marginalised was notable, then for contemplative use by many during the Centre for Spirituality time which included school retreats, quiet days and workshops as well as being used by the wider community.

Current value of the Old Friary for the local community   In the past, the Old Friary was widely used by many community groups, being one of few suitable sites within the Kenmore area.  Not only was it an economical venue for local organisations, it was also a key element in the collective memories of people in the district, especially stemming from the time of the Franciscan Friars, where it was open to the community for many events including their famous Friary Fayres as well as its Pottery.  It is the intention that Uniting Care will continue to use the heart of the site to engage with the broader community.

For more historical information please see our About the Old Friary page.