[1] The first Anglican church in South Brisbane, St Thomas', had been built c. 1855 on the corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets.

Flamboyant Italian architect Andrea Stombuco was commissioned to design St Andrew's, which was to be a substantial structure in stone.

[1] The foundation stone for St Andrew's was laid on Saturday 30 November 1878 by Queensland Governor Arthur Kennedy.

[1] The church was officially opened and dedicated on Wednesday 6 June 1883 by Bishop Matthew Hale assisted by Archdeacon Benjamin Glennie with over 500 people present.

[3] An 1887 extension was designed by architect Hezekiah Watson King Martin, who had recently arrived in Brisbane from London, and was an active member of the St Andrew's congregation.

[1] A notable feature of the building is the large stained glass windows, especially those located at the end of the chancel, portico and transepts.

[1] St Andrews Anglican Church was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

The construction of St Andrew's illustrates the move away from the river flats after the 1860s flood, and the growing popularity among the middle-class of the higher ridges in South Brisbane and Highgate Hill.

Despite having been constructed in a number of stages between 1878 and 1932, the building reflects much of architect Andrea Stombuco's original vision, and is important in contributing to our understanding of his work.