South Brisbane has a deep-rooted history, marked by the establishment of religious and educational institutions that have shaped the city’s cultural and architectural landscape.

The South Brisbane Wesleyan Methodist Church was opened in July 1866, marking an important step in the area’s religious development. A year later, the South Brisbane Congregational Church was officially opened on 13 January 1867 on Grey Street. The congregation had initially gathered at the Mechanics Institute in Stanley Street from 1865, but their timber church suffered severe damage during the 1893 Brisbane floods, leading to its demolition.

In 1874, St Kilian’s College was founded by John Cani on Raymond Terrace, where St Laurence’s College stands today. However, a severe storm on 20 December 1904 caused significant damage to the structure, leading to its eventual sale and removal.

The Anglican community also sought expansion, with the congregation of St Thomas’ Anglican Church deciding in October 1875 to construct a new church in a more central and elevated location. A site was acquired at the corner of Vulture Street and Cordelia Street in November 1877. Andrea Strombuco was chosen as the architect, and on 30 November 1878, Queensland Governor Arthur Kennedy laid the foundation stone for what would become St Andrew’s Anglican Church. Construction faced delays due to financial constraints, but on 6 June 1883, the church was officially opened by Bishop Matthew Hale, marking the closure of St Thomas’ Church.

The late 19th century saw a surge in development in South Brisbane. In 1884, the railway line to the south was established, with South Brisbane as the terminus. This led to rapid urban expansion, culminating in South Brisbane’s official status as a municipality in 1888, first as the Borough of South Brisbane and later as the City of South Brisbane in 1903. The city was eventually amalgamated into Greater Brisbane in 1925.

South Brisbane was also a vital port, with the South Brisbane Reach of the Brisbane River serving as a major hub for shipping and trade. The Queensland Maritime Museum, opened in 1881, stands as a testament to the area’s maritime history. The closure of depots and wharves over the next century transformed the area, ultimately leading to its redevelopment for Expo 88.

The Presbyterian community also saw growth, with the Grey Street church becoming too small for its congregation. In October 1884, the foundation stone for a new church was laid, and on 11 October 1885, the Park Presbyterian Church was officially opened at 31 Glenelg Street, opposite Musgrave Park. Designed by renowned architect FDG Stanley, the church could accommodate 550 people, with an additional 300 seats in the Sunday school basement. Over the years, as the area became more commercialized, the congregation relocated to Highgate Hill in the 1950s. The Glenelg Street church was later used by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church before transitioning to commercial use. Today, it is home to the iSEE Church, a Pentecostal congregation.

South Brisbane’s historical institutions reflect the area’s evolution from a small settlement to a thriving urban center, preserving its rich heritage while adapting to modern times.