This striking Gothic Revival style brick church was designed by architect Joseph Backhouse and continues to be the place of worship for one the oldest congregations in Ipswich.

By early November 1855 a church, 40 by 26 feet (12.2 by 7.9 m) and with a square tower, had been completed according to the plans and specifications drawn out by John Petrie.

[1] The official grant of the land on which the church stood, at the corner of Limestone and Gordon Streets, was not made by the New South Wales Government until 30 December 1858.

It has been suggested that Joseph Backhouse only supervised the construction of the church under designs made by his brother Benjamin, however this not substantiated.

The steeple and sessions house were retained in original condition, the roof raised, and two porticos were added at that time.

[1] Tenders for the erection of a Sabbath School, or Hall, were called for in 1888 on an allotment of land south of the church granted by James Ivory.

[1] The Women's Guild planted cypress trees at the front entry to the church in May 1941 in memory of their late president, Alice Kirke.

The spire's presence is further accented by it being painted cream, while the remainder of the structure, including the sympathetic addition of a sessions house at the eastern end, is dark brick.

Detailing to the spire includes: recessed pointed head arches, accented by tracery; voussoirs, alternately projecting; and elaborate moulding.

An original gallery overlooks the main floor of the church at the western end of the building and has access to the bell tower in the steeple.

[1] A false rear wall has been constructed dividing the main church from the sessions house by a narrow hallway.

[1] The timber hall, separated from the church by a carpark, has a cross- shaped plan, and a gabled portico entry with double access stairs.

Fine timber-work is used within the upper panel of each tall, narrow window to suggest the tracery of a pointed head arch.

[1] St Stephen's Church and Hall was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

[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.