The pioneer rector, the Reverend Thomas Jones, arrived in Rockhampton in about 1860 and held services at Grant's Timber Yard Hall and at the local Court House.

This building, designed by Thomas Dixon Chater, was built on a dedicated church reserve adjoining the National School.

The masonry was continued by George Sanderson, carpentry was completed by David Wiley, plumbing by J. Wakefield and painting by W. Aspinall.

[1] St Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a simple substantial masonry building with steeply pitched gabled roof.

The building is divided internally into nave and side aisles by a pointed arched arcade of smooth faced Stanwell sandstone.

Four mosaics set into the floor in front of the throne are thought to date from the eighteenth century and depict mythical beasts from Ezekial and the Book of Revelation.

A ceramic bas relief of the Madonna and Child (after Della Robbia) is attached to the wall of the southern side aisle.

On the sills of some of the windows in the side aisles are small brass medallions which are modern interpretations of the fourteen Stations of the Cross.

The first window in the eastern end of the north aisle, of unknown origin, was placed in 1903 depicting Christ in Glory and dedicated to John Peddle.

Windows in the southern aisle, with the exception of the one depicting St Paul on the Road to Damascus, were designed by William Bustard of Brisbane.

The three central sanctuary lights (Messrs Lawndes and Dowry, London, after the design of Caroline Townshead) were placed in the memory of the first bishop, Nathaniel Dawes, in 1914, depicting the Agony and Crucifixion, the Risen Christ and the Day of Pentecost.

The two windows flanking these were placed in 1921 and also made by Messrs Lawndes and Dowry in memory of Marion Dawson, depicting the Annunciation and Visitation and the eucharistic worship of the church.

[1] St Paul's Anglican Cathedral was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

Features of the building have individual significance as well crafted items, including internal furnishings and stained glass panels.