The cathedral is located on a site bounded by Elizabeth, Charlotte, Creek, and Edward Streets, in the Australian city of Brisbane, Queensland.

James Quinn, the first bishop of Brisbane, arrived in 1861 from Ireland, and soon planned to build a large cathedral to accommodate a growing congregation.

R George Suter was then commissioned to design a smaller, simpler church partly on the foundations, and the current nave was built 1870–74, with the front gables and spires completed 1884.

While this is a plain cathedral by comparison it still has a selection of striking features such as the spire topped sandstone towers, imported stained glass windows from Munich, the organ, the altar and the newer Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the rear of the building.

[2] Inside the cathedral the stained glass windows are vividly illuminated by the sun and cast coloured patterns on the floor and walls.

A new under cover outdoor liturgical space was constructed as part of this development and facilitates special liturgies such as the Easter Vigil and Palm Sunday.

The choir sings at the 10:00 am mass every Sunday except during school holiday periods in June and July, September and January.

In addition to this weekly commitment the choir also sings at most major events at the cathedral including Easter, Christmas and ordinations.

The Schola sings at the 12.00 pm Mass every Sunday and augments the cathedral choir at major events.