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The Pius X11 Seminary is the venue for instruction for those young men of the Roman Catholic faith, who have the desire to enter the priesthood. In 1998 a major decision was made to relocate the Australian Catholic University from Mitchelton to the Seminary site.
In by-gone days there used to be a connecting road, between Earnshaw Road and Nudgee Road, which was named Beehive Road. This road passed over Beehive Hill and it was on this hill that the buildings were planned to be built.
As the proposed site crossed Beehive Road, the Roman Catholic Church sought approval for its closure, offering as a condition, that land for another road would be given in exchange. The closure of Beehive Road was granted and Approach Road came into existence as a result.
The history of Pius X11 Provincial Seminary, Banyo goes back to 1863, when the Bishop at that time, Bishop James Quinn acquired the 125 acre property. However, the land was not acquired for the purpose of establishing a seminary, as Bishop Quinn was considering the foundation of a seminary on Mater Hill, South Brisbane.
Beehive Hill was then a thickly timbered summit surrounded by virgin scrub. Aborigines still roamed through the area, and the ceremonial Bora Ring was near by.
During the late 1920s, Archbishop James Duhig began to plan for the erection of a seminary in Brisbane. With his usual foresight he had bought several properties from which it was hoped to choose the most suitable. However, it was not until 1939 that more decisive steps were taken.
At a meeting of Bishops on 2nd March the proposal for a new seminary in Brisbane was accepted. In due time the Bishops inspected the various sites and were more than satisfied with the excellent site in Banyo.
The architects chosen were Messrs Hennessey & Hennessey, and the construction firm was J Hutchinson & Sons. The tender was for 53,765 pounds and the contract provided for the completion of the building by October 1940.
The foundation stone was laid as planned by the Apostolic Delegate on Sunday 19 November 1939.
The building began to take shape during 1940, but the work did not progress as had been anticipated, as World War II caused a shortage of materials. A well-built structure of cream brick with green tiled roof was designed mainly to suit the subtropical climate. The first students, fifty-six in number, entered on 22 March 1941. The formal opening of Pius X11 Seminary took place on 27 April 1941.
The original building extended from the convent complex to the current student common room. Stage 2 continued further north, consisting of the hall, tiered lecture room with accommodation above and conference rooms below. This was opened in 1959, the memorial stone (like the foundation stone) being at the Seminary entrance. This second stage included the then separate St Mary's building, closest to the bottom oval.
With the large increase of students in the sixties, Stage 3 was built in 1967. Running east to west it linked the previous buildings and provided a library, accommodation and oratories in the undercroft which are used as Conference facilities and library storage.
Apart from training of priests and lay persons in theology and ministry the seminary is also used for conferences, seminars and retreats.
Adjacent to the airport and with the Gateway arterial road at its doorstep, Banyo has much easier access to the public than in its foundation years. The wide open space in such an attractive setting on 100 acres today make Pius X11 Seminary a place of beauty and a powerful resource for the whole church.
In its new role as the Catholic University, it will provide a beautiful serene campus for the many students who attend. The planned transfer of the Catholic University from Mitchelton to Banyo is expected to be completed for the year 2003; and once again the Seminary will be guiding young people to their chosen profession.
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