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Front view of the Roman Catholic Mortuary Chapel erected in memory of Bro Francis Gatti, Armidale cemetery, New South Wales

Some time ago your correspondent briefly alluded to the erection of a mortuary chapel in our cemetery here in Armidale. The chapel, which is of brick with a slate roof, is now completed, and is certainly very creditable to the Catholic people, and a suitable memorial to the late Brother Francis Gatti, whose great desire and ambition during the last two years of his life had been the planting and decorating of the cemetery grounds and the erection of a mortuary chapel in the centre. The deceased Brother, like many other great men, was a man of one idea, and till that idea was carried out into some practical shape, he could scarcely be induced to set his mind and enter heartily into any other scheme.

His heart was set on the erection of a handsome and useful mortuary chapel. He discussed the matter with many members of the congregation who were anxious to see the building an accomplished fact, but owing to the many other important works which the Bishop and Dean O'Connor had on hand, the pet scheme of the good Brother had to be laid aside for a time. After the death of Brother Francis, however, (the congregation, anxious to erect a memorial to him, and at the same time desirous of carrying out his oft-expressed wishes), resolved to erect the Mortuary Chapel which is now completed. The chapel cost about £320, and will be blessed and opened on the 2nd of November.

Mr P Kirkwood, of this city, was contractor, while Mr French was architect, and both gentlemen are to be congratulated on the manner in which the work has been carried out. (Ref: Freeman’s Journal (Sydney) 1-10-1892)

 

The ceremony of blessing and solemnly dedicating the beautiful Mortuary Chapel, which the love and gratitude of a faithful people have erected in the Catholic cemetery to the memory of the late Brother Francis Gatti, was carried out on Sunday last. (Ref: Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser 8-11-1892)

 

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Uploaded on January 15, 2018
Taken on May 9, 2013