aquilareen
Wangaratta St Patrick's Catholic church
Foundation stone 29 Apr 1865 by Bishop Goold, architect William Wardill, dedicated 10 Mar 1871, extensions & tower 1905, architect W G Kell, enlarged 1962. First wooden church 1854, demolished 1874, replaced by brick school hall.
“the appointment of the following gentlemen as trustees of church lands is announced as approved by his Excellency:- the Right Rev. J. A. Goold, the Rev. John Kennedy, Michael Cusack Esq., Benjamin Slater Esq., Ambrose M. Holway Esq., to be trustees of the ground reserved at Wangaratta for the use of the Roman Catholic Church.” [The Argus 23 Apr 1856]
“His Lordship the Roman Catholic Bishop of Melbourne lately paid a visit to the principal townships in this portion of his diocese. On the 29th ult. he laid the foundation of St. Patrick's Church at Wangaratta.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 24 May 1866]
“A striking feature of the new building will be a stone tower to be erected on the front elevation at the north (or school) side, and which will be surmounted by a spire, built of steel, with copper castings, the height from ground to final being 80ft. A handsome stained-glass window will occupy a position somewhat relative to the present front entrance door, and access to the church will be gained through a stone porch of ornate design. . . On the north side, also, a second entrance by means of a handsome porch will be provided, and on the opposite walls escape doors are to>be placed in compliance with the Board of Health conditions.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 30 Apr 1904]
“St Patrick’s Church, Wangaratta, was blessed and re-opened last Sunday by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne. . . The church has recently undergone extensive alterations and- additions. . . The building is constructed of local granite, in the style of early English architecture. The principal feature is a spire 86 feet high.” [Advocate, Melbourne 25 Nov 1905]
“The formal .opening of St. Patrick's Church, Wangaratta, which has recently been enlarged at a cost of over £5000, took place last Sunday. At half-past 10 there was a very large number waiting at the doors for admission, and long before 11 o'clock every available space In the large edifice was filled, and many were unable to obtain admission. The Missa Cantata was celebrated by Rev. Dr. Flynn, and the choir sang Haydn's Third Mass (‘The Imperial’). . . The choir was assisted by several members of the Presbyterian and Church of England choirs.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25 Nov 1905 p 4]
“It was during 1853 that the population was sufficient to warrant the holding of services here, and a priest then occasionally visited from Beechworth, which was the centre of the parish for some years. In the absence of a church Father Smith celebrated the first mass in Wangaratta in the dining room of Crisp's Royal Hotel, and on later visits pitched a tent that accommodated himself and his altar assistants while his congregation performed their devotions in the open air opposite. . . As population increased an effort was made to secure the erection of a suitable church building, but in the early stages the residents suffered a heavy loss by the theft of £360 from the priest who had charge of the money while he was lodging at Crisp's Royal Hotel. . . A weatherboard building, erected on the site of St. Patrick's School, served for several years as schoolhouse and church. . . The wooden schoolhouse and church having begun to fall into serious disrepair, the late Rev. Father Galen initiated a movement for a new church and work was begun in 1865.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25 Nov 1905 p 1]
“The windows at the side and over the high altar, including the Nuns' Chapel, are stained glass, while others throughout the church (except those in front) are in leaded lights, embellished with emblems relating to sacred and appropriate subjects.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25 Nov 1905 p 1]
Wangaratta St Patrick's Catholic church
Foundation stone 29 Apr 1865 by Bishop Goold, architect William Wardill, dedicated 10 Mar 1871, extensions & tower 1905, architect W G Kell, enlarged 1962. First wooden church 1854, demolished 1874, replaced by brick school hall.
“the appointment of the following gentlemen as trustees of church lands is announced as approved by his Excellency:- the Right Rev. J. A. Goold, the Rev. John Kennedy, Michael Cusack Esq., Benjamin Slater Esq., Ambrose M. Holway Esq., to be trustees of the ground reserved at Wangaratta for the use of the Roman Catholic Church.” [The Argus 23 Apr 1856]
“His Lordship the Roman Catholic Bishop of Melbourne lately paid a visit to the principal townships in this portion of his diocese. On the 29th ult. he laid the foundation of St. Patrick's Church at Wangaratta.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 24 May 1866]
“A striking feature of the new building will be a stone tower to be erected on the front elevation at the north (or school) side, and which will be surmounted by a spire, built of steel, with copper castings, the height from ground to final being 80ft. A handsome stained-glass window will occupy a position somewhat relative to the present front entrance door, and access to the church will be gained through a stone porch of ornate design. . . On the north side, also, a second entrance by means of a handsome porch will be provided, and on the opposite walls escape doors are to>be placed in compliance with the Board of Health conditions.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 30 Apr 1904]
“St Patrick’s Church, Wangaratta, was blessed and re-opened last Sunday by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne. . . The church has recently undergone extensive alterations and- additions. . . The building is constructed of local granite, in the style of early English architecture. The principal feature is a spire 86 feet high.” [Advocate, Melbourne 25 Nov 1905]
“The formal .opening of St. Patrick's Church, Wangaratta, which has recently been enlarged at a cost of over £5000, took place last Sunday. At half-past 10 there was a very large number waiting at the doors for admission, and long before 11 o'clock every available space In the large edifice was filled, and many were unable to obtain admission. The Missa Cantata was celebrated by Rev. Dr. Flynn, and the choir sang Haydn's Third Mass (‘The Imperial’). . . The choir was assisted by several members of the Presbyterian and Church of England choirs.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25 Nov 1905 p 4]
“It was during 1853 that the population was sufficient to warrant the holding of services here, and a priest then occasionally visited from Beechworth, which was the centre of the parish for some years. In the absence of a church Father Smith celebrated the first mass in Wangaratta in the dining room of Crisp's Royal Hotel, and on later visits pitched a tent that accommodated himself and his altar assistants while his congregation performed their devotions in the open air opposite. . . As population increased an effort was made to secure the erection of a suitable church building, but in the early stages the residents suffered a heavy loss by the theft of £360 from the priest who had charge of the money while he was lodging at Crisp's Royal Hotel. . . A weatherboard building, erected on the site of St. Patrick's School, served for several years as schoolhouse and church. . . The wooden schoolhouse and church having begun to fall into serious disrepair, the late Rev. Father Galen initiated a movement for a new church and work was begun in 1865.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25 Nov 1905 p 1]
“The windows at the side and over the high altar, including the Nuns' Chapel, are stained glass, while others throughout the church (except those in front) are in leaded lights, embellished with emblems relating to sacred and appropriate subjects.” [Ovens & Murray Advertiser 25 Nov 1905 p 1]