Gibson, who claimed to have hammered in many of the nails himself, was prominent in the church in Queensland, three times Moderator, he was also a founder of Emmanuel College and Theological Hall.

[2][citation needed] In 1918 Mackay was hit by the worst cyclone in its history which destroyed whole blocks of the city centre and much of the housing stock.

The church is located in an established streetscape of mature trees, between two similarly scaled buildings, the Sunday School hall (1919) and the Youth Centre (1958).

[1] A traditional Latin cross plan, the church consists of a wide nave, two short transept wings, a chancel that contains the choir loft, a projecting organ bay and private rooms.

The building is symmetrical except for an elaborately detailed timber belfry located over the north west entry vestibule.

[1] The confined space of the entry vestibules opens onto a spacious nave with a high vaulted ceiling and finely detailed exposed beams and trusses.

[1] St Paul's Uniting Church was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 August 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

St Paul's Uniting Church accomplished design in terms of massing and composition, and its picturesque classical and gothic detailing exhibit aesthetic characteristics which are valued by the community.

[1] The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

St Paul's Uniting Church has a special association with James Gibson, who initiated the project.