C A T H O L I C P A R I S H E S
of
WANGARATTA and
KING VALLEY
Acknowledgement of Country: As we gather as a community, we think of the traditional custodians of this land, the Pangerang People of the Yorta Yorta Nation. We would also like to pay respect to elders past and present. As it was along the banks of the Ovens and Kings Rivers that Pangerang People lived harmoniously for thousands of years. We continue to walk towards reconciliation and recognise the continuing connection to Country of the Aboriginal people.
History of St. Patrick’s Church, Wangaratta
St Patrick’s Church was listed as a heritage building in the 1960s. Victoria’s first bishop blessed the first stone laid in April 1866. A local team dug the foundations and builder, Lewis Griffin of Beechworth, began construction in February 1867. The roof was closed in May 1870 and readied for furnishings when Bishop Goold was in Rome. He finally dedicated it on 10 March 1871; it was the fourth church built on the busy Port Phillip Track and the third named for St Patrick. Like many on the Track it was preceded by a school-chapel built in 1854.
The inspiration to build something special came from Donegal-born Rev George Devitt Galen. He was interred below the central aisle in November 1869 before the church was complete. A plaque, sited beside the Lady altar and funded by non-Catholic citizens, recognises his courageous effort. Next to it is another, commemorating Rev Maurice Byrne’s long service during which he doubled the length of the nave.
On the right wall is a third plaque in memory of 28-year-old Rev Francis McCarthy, the first priest buried in the town, who was cared for in his dying days by fellow TB sufferer, Fr Galen; one died aged 28 years, the other 32 years.
Fr Galen was a particularly persuasive young priest who was able to raise quickly £3,000 for his church and secure William Wadell to be its architect. Wadell, trained by the renowned Augustine Pugin, was then designing St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
Features of Wadell’s design are the ceiling structure; his willingness to allow in the bright Australian light; the triple lancet windows above the altar; the High altar; the external grey granite stonework and the erect pews.
Wadell originally trained as an engineer; his skill is shown in the roof structures. The windows, often mistaken as the work of Hardimans of Birmingham, UK, have been praised as ‘superb’ and ‘…one of the best seen in Australia’. In fact, they were made by Ferguson, Urie & Lyon of Melbourne.
The pedestal of the altars is Tasmanian freestone with tables of Caen limestone, a creamy, lustrous stone from Caen, west of Paris; it is easily sawn initially as it is quarried wet. It was used in the Tower of London and in Buckingham Palace. How large slabs came to Australia is unknown. The High altar was the first able to be consecrated in a Victorian Catholic church and just the second in Australia.
STAINED GLASS WINDOW FOR ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, WANGARATTA
Advocate, Melbourne, Vic, Saturday 18th November 1905, page 18.
Mr. W. Montgomery, artist in stained glass, of Alfred Place, Collins-street East, has just completed a magnificent stained glass window of four lights for the St. Patrick’s Church, Wangaratta. It will be erected at the rear of the organ gallery. each light is 13ft by 3ft. It is one of the finest specimens of the stainer’s art to be seen in this State. The subjects are the Sacred Heart of Jesus, representing Our Lord appearing to Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Divinity beams from every feature, and admonition of Our Lord is recalled to the mind of the beholder – “Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart.” The holy nun is represented in an attitude of profound adoration and devotion. The next light is that of “The Immaculate Conception.” Angels support the Queen of angels and of men. The treatment of this and other lights, whilst bold, is also delicate, expressing the Christian sympathy of the artist. St. Stanislaus Kostka, holding the Divine Infant in his arms (which recalls the incident in his life wherein Our Lady brought the Divine Child to him), holds a rosary, and appears to fully realise the unique privilege bestowed on him.
At the foot of the Sacred Heart, light, angelic forms hold scrolls, in which are the words – “Behold the Heart which has so loved men,” beneath the Immaculate Conception, “Queen of Angels, pray for us;” and beneath the Patron of Poland, “St. Stanislaus Kostka.” The tracery work is very fine and greatly enhances the work, whilst the skill of the artist is seen in the Rich antique glass, first-class workmanship, delicate shading, combine to form a genuine work of art – one that reflects credit on the artificer, and tends to for the opinion that Australian art is able to hold its own with the outside world. The canopies are of the late decorative period. The lights, viewed near or far, are seen to be excellent in every detail. Under tests through glasses, the features, tracery work, bordering, etc., give one the idea that he is viewing a fine painting on canvas. The artist has been particularly fortunate in drawing the figure of Our Blessed Lord in such proportions as to fill the space to a nicety. We understand that this first-class house has executed orders for churches, convents, etc., not only in Victoria, but in various parts of the Commonwealth, including New South Wales and Tasmania.”
Click here and visit the Staines Glass Australia website to view some beautiful photographs of St. Pat’s Wangaratta windows.
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St. Martin’s Church, Boorhaman
The Catholics of Boorhaman, finding their church too small for them decided to make an effort to erect a new one, of such strength and proportions, that they should not have to repeat this exercise again in their lifetime. For this purpose, a fund was established and parishioners made some really magnificent donations, while all did their utmost to render what assistance they could. The results were outstanding, and they soon found they had not the slightest difficulty in achieving what they had set their minds upon.
Plans were prepared by Messrs. Gordon and Gordon, and the contract was let. The bricks were made on a lane, one mile from the church, on the Ovens River. When completed, a grand fund-raising ball was held in the church prior to the consecration. Thus it was opened free of debt.
On Sunday July 10th 1887, in absence of the Most Reverend Martin Crane, O.S.A. Bishop of Sandhurst, the coadjutor Bishop od Sandhurst, Dr. Reville, O.S.A. performed the opening ceremony. Parish Priest at that time was Fr. P.J. English.
Thirty-six people received the sacrament of Confirmation.
In 1930, a contractor J. Denton carried out repairs to the church. Two large pillars were placed at the rear of the altar, to prevent that part from moving away from the body of the church. At that time, two large cacti, previously planted at the gateway, the picket fence and saltbush hedge were replaced by new ornamental wire and rail fence and two new gates. With the lack of stock on the roads and the end of the horses and gigs as Sunday conveyances, the hedge eventually grew again, till it was removed with the fence, about seven years ago.