Caboolture, Queensland

The Abbey Church: A Historic Stained Glass Church

One of the most significant features of the Abbey Church in Caboolture, a stained glass church with a rich dark wood interior giving it an old-world charm, is the beautiful historical stained glass windows.

Plan your visit

Caboolture, Queensland

Stained Glass Windows at The Abbey Church

One of the most significant features of the Abbey Church in Caboolture, with its rich dark wood interior giving it an old-world charm, is the beautiful historical stained glass windows.

Plan your visit

Experience the “Art of Light”

There is probably nowhere else in Australia where a visitor can walk into a church and find themselves surrounded by ancient medieval stained glass, that dates back over 650 years. These important panels probably comprise the most significant collection of medieval and Gothic Revival stained glass in Australia. They primarily originated from England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands and date back to the 14th century.

Stained glass is an art form that relies on light to be seen. And light is an essential element in our spiritual journey.

Detail of an angel's head in stained glass at The Abbey Church

In the 12th century, Abbot Sugar wrote in France: “Thus sometimes because of my delight in the beauty of the house of God, the multicolour loveliness of the stained glass calls me away from external cares and worthy meditation… To see myself existing on some level, as it were, beyond our earthly one.”

It is without doubt that the effect of sunlight through colour-rich stained glass windows in medieval cathedrals and churches created an immersive experience of something otherworldly, Divine, and was in part responsible for the significant influence the Christian church had in European medieval society.

The windows in the Abbey Church today hold these ancient memories, memories of artisans creating stories in coloured glass designed to educate, inspire and lift the soul from the drudgery of medieval life to the heavens.

Fourteenth to twentieth century

Home to Winchester Cathedral’s Medieval Stained Glass and Warwickshire Armorial Windows

The Abbey Church contains a series of Warwickshire heraldic stained glass windows dating from the mid-14th century with coats of arms that echo the deeds of knights and princes. They come from the Church of the Holy Trinity at Ettington, in England, the home of the famous Shirley family.

Of international significance is a large collection of precious fragments from the great Norman Winchester Cathedral, made between 1490-1510, and largely destroyed by Puritan fundamentalists in the English Civil War. Set in dark blue glass, golden-haired angels look down as they have done for over 500 years.

Set in dark blue glass, golden-haired angels look down as they have done for over 500 years.

We also have several Gothic Revival windows, including a wonderful panel of St Michael the Archangel, holding the scales of judgment, probably by the famous artist, Henry Holiday (1839-1927), who worked for the firm of James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars in London.

Another lovely window represents the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, surrounded by lilies. It is by Karl Parsons (1884-1934), a brilliant artist who made windows for Canterbury Cathedral.

Warwickshire armorial stained glass panel at The Abbey Church — Warwickshire armorial glass, mid-14th century, from the Church of the Holy Trinity at Ettington

Winchester Cathedral angel panels at the Abbey Church — Angels from Winchester Cathedral, made between 1490 and 1510

Saint Michael stained glass window at the Abbey Church — St Michael the Archangel, a Gothic Revival panel, probably by Henry Holiday

Mater Salvatoris stained glass panel by Karl Parsons — The Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, by Karl Parsons

These windows underwent a 12 year conservation program which cost $163,000, preserving them for future generations. Read the full story of that work on the Abbey Museum & Art Gallery page.

Visiting Hours and Guided Tours

These windows and many others can be seen in the Abbey Church. The Abbey Museum staff take guided tours each Tuesday and Thursday at 11.00 am.

Guide speaking with visitors beside a small coloured stained glass window and candle

Plan Your Visit

The Abbey Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. If you would like to join the tour of the stained glass in the Abbey Church plan your visit for Tuesday or Thursday so you are there at 11.00 am. The Abbey Café is also open for refreshments from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.

For more information or making a booking visit the Abbey Museum website.

Visit the Abbey Museum website

1300 172 333

enquiries@abbeychurch.com.au.