Prayers answered: Adelaide street renaming for Grammy-nominated nun
Homeless centre lobbyists are rejoicing over news a city street will honour a beloved SA nun who sold more than a million copies of her hit single – and narrowly lost a Grammy to Elvis Presley.
Queen Street, which sits between Carrington Street and Angas Street in the CBD, is set for renaming after late musician Sister Janet Mead who founded the Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless Persons on the same street in 1985.
Adelaide Day Centre coordinator Joyce van der Sman delivered her case for the renaming to Adelaide City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting and was “very happy” to win support for the long-running campaign.
“We were very glad to get that recognition and that her work will now be honoured in the way it should be,” she said.
Sister Janet Mead was an Australian Catholic nun and musician who rose to prominence in 1974 following the release of her Grammy Award nominated hit single ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.
The single became an instant success, selling more than a million copies in the US and winning gold records in both Australia and the US.
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Mead lost the Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance (Non-classical) to the “king of rock’n’roll” Elvis Presley, who won for his live rendition of How Great Thou Art on his Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis album. The annual Grammy Awards deliver the most prestigious US music industry recognition.
But van der Sman said Mead used her fame to “help the needy” rather than self-glorification when she opened the Adelaide Day Centre on Queen Street in 1985.
The centre has provided food crisis relief and accommodation support services for those experiencing homelessness and social isolation for more than 40 years.
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“Her musical fame gave her a voice and a platform, and she used that not for her own glory, but to be a voice for other people that are ignored.
“Everyone from the highest levels of society right through all need reminding about how to be a happier, more community minded person and how to be a more connected society,” she said.
“Janet probably did more than anyone we know to make Adelaide a compassionate place.”
The bid to rename Queen Street had been on the council agenda for 18 months, and in February 2025, the council proposed renaming an unnamed private road located at the rear of the Adelaide Day Centre.
But family and friends of Mead were not supportive of using a private road, with van der Sman telling council the proposal was “a bit of an insult”.
“The private road gets closed and locked all night and weekend and backs on to residents who don’t want much traffic there,” she said.
Adelaide Day Centre member Stephen Spence told council on Tuesday night that it was “impossible to quantify the economic impact of the Adelaide Day Centre”.
“Janet did it because she believed in everyday, ordinary people making a difference for their fellow human beings,” he said.
“I’m sure the Queen would not begrudge a small part of her street being renamed to honour Janet’s life, work and legacy.”
The Adelaide council supported the motion unanimously and will now undertake a consultation process with Queen Street residents who will need to have their house numbers changed.
Approval from the Registrar-General and Valuer-General will also need to take place prior to renaming.
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