Church of the Apostles, Launceston

In 1838 a temporary chapel had been erected in Cameron Street for the local Catholic community, which up to that moment had no fixed place of worship in the city.[1] In the same year[2] the government granted the Catholics a site in Margaret Street, "at the foot of the Cataract Hill", for the construction of a permanent building, a chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph.[3]

The foundation stone for the St Joseph's church was laid on 19 March 1839 by Rev. Gentleman,[4] and the church was inaugurated in October 1842.[5] Two decades later,[2] St. Joseph's Church began to show signs of decay, and it was decided to replace it with a larger church.[3]

The plans for the new church were drawn by the Tasmanian architect Henry Hunter, and the foundation stone was laid on 15 September 1864 by Bishop Willson.[6] By October 1866 the nave and two aisles had already been built, and on 7 November the church was solemnly opened for religious purposes by Rev. Murphy, Bishop of Hobart.[7] The church was dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Apostles.[2]

Construction of the North section, encompassing the transept, sanctuary and sacristies, began several years later. Bishop Murphy laid the foundation stone on 17 June 1888.[6] By then, Hunter was living in Brisbane and the task was entrusted to architect Alexander North. A foundation stone for the tower was laid in May 1889,[6] but it wasn't finished until a century later. Designed by Melbourne architect Peter Staunton, the bell tower and spire were installed in 1989.[2]

The church conserves its original stone high altar.[6] The pulpit, made from blackwood and huon pine, was the work of Timothy Earley. The church's pipe organ, in two flanking columns, was dedicated in 1933.[2]