Queensland · Attraction
St Mary's by the Sea
A timber chapel with a remarkable story
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Built in 1913 and relocated to its present foreshore site in 1988 to save it from demolition, St Mary's by the Sea is one of Port Douglas's oldest surviving buildings and among the most photographed chapels in tropical Australia. The small white timber church sits in a garden beside Market Park on Dixie Street, with views of the Coral Sea and mountain ranges visible through a glass altar window.
The original Catholic congregation established a church on Grant Street in 1881, and its successor, the current Gothic Revival timber structure, was opened in August 1914 following the complete destruction of the previous building by a cyclone in March 1911. The 1911 cyclone was devastating for the town, leaving only seven of fifty-seven houses standing.
In 1986, with the church at serious risk during a period of intense development, the Port Douglas Restoration Society campaigned to preserve it. As part of Australia's Bicentennial Project, the entire building was transported to its current Dixie Street location in November 1988, restored, and converted to a non-denominational community chapel. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in October 1992.
Today the chapel is a popular venue for weddings, christenings, memorial services, and a Sunday service. Casual visitors are welcome during open hours to step inside and admire the polished pews, stained glass lancet windows, and the remarkable view framed by the altar.
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Scenic views
