Joss House (Chinese Temple), Breakfast Creek, 1886

The Temple of the Holy Triad was constructed in 1885-1886 for the Cantonese Chinese community of Brisbane.

In the 1880s sizeable numbers of Cantonese settled in Brisbane. They were most conspicuous in small businesses (particularly in Fortitude Valley and along Albert Street), and in market gardening (especially on the flats around Breakfast Creek and Eagle Farm). By 1888 Brisbane depended almost entirely on the Chinese for its supply of fresh vegetables. (Wikipedia) 32 Higgs Street Albion

Added to the Queensland Heritage Register 1992

Joss House (Corner Higgs and Park Streets, Albion)

Chinese people played a part in the establishment and growth of Queensland. As early as 1848, 10 years before separation from New South Wales, 56 Chinese labourers had been recruited to work on the sheep stations of the Darling Downs. By 1850 there were more than 300 working there. Indeed, one of the State’s early “industrial disputes” occurred when the Chinese workers discovered the disparity between the wages they were paid and those of the European stockmen doing the same work. A number of the Chinese at Canning Downs sheep station rioted and went on strike for better conditions.

After the discovery of gold in the State, many thousands more arrived in search of the precious metal. They proved to be quiet, hard-working, and thrifty immigrants. Despite problems with European miners (especially on the Palmer goldfield), and with members of the newly formed Shearers' Union in the outback, Chinese people were generally respected for their industry and honesty.

In 1884 a number of Chinese who had settled in Brisbane, supported financially by others from the goldfields, imported workers and materials from China to build a temple or Joss House for worship at Newstead.

For many years the Temple of the Holy Triad formed a central meeting-place for members of the Brisbane Chinese community. In 1930 it was closed because of the dwindling number of worshippers, and the building fell into disrepair. In 1960 members of Brisbane’s Chinese community formed a Chinese Temple Society to restore the joss house and the building was re-opened in June 1960. (Brisbane Sketchbook, Drawings: Michael Nicholas, Words: Bill Scott, 1988)