Camperdown, VIC - St Patrick's Catholic

History and Architecture:

A Heritage Board at the front of the Church reads, " The Camperdown district early settlers were predominantly English and Scottish immigrants but a smaller number of Irish people made it their home bringing their Catholic faith with them. Although small In numbers they were determined to gather and worship. In 1865 a small wooden Church was built on two acres of land grant for church use, east of the Commercial Hotel. Priests based In Colac, traveling on horseback. were responsible for the monthly services, baptisms and marriages.The church was also used as a school on weekdays from 1886.
 
In 1889 the Camperdown Parish was established, with Fr O'Neill appointed the first resident priest. The decision to seek a more appropriate site for church and school use resulted in the purchase of the current site. The old church building moved in two sections on a horse drawn frame from Manifold Street in 1891. The previous site was subdivided and sold, raising funds to finance new buildings.
 
The longest serving Parish Priest, Fr John Shine, oversaw numerous changes during his appointment serving from 1892 until his death in 1931.
The present St Patricks church was built in 1900 by builders McCrae and Husband with brick, stonework and plastering by Jesse Porter. The Early English Gothic style design by artist Michael McCabe meant all facets of the building were contracted to locals. Cost of the building, including seating for 420 parishioners was £2,800 The original design included a spire on the tower reaching a height of 120 feet but it was never added.

The church was enlarged in 1923 with the addition of a sanctuary and vestry, and improvements including installation of new leadlight windows. An old weatherboard house opposite the church in Henderson St was used as a presbytery until replaced by the current red brick presbytery built in 1922 on the same site. The old weatherboard church building continued to operate, on site, as a Catholic school until destroyed by fire in 1935.

A wall plaque reads, " St. Patrick's Parish Centenary. These extensions and alterations were completed in 1990 to the greater honour and Glory of God and to the memory of our Catholic Pioneers, the church was consecrated by Most Rev R. A. Mulkearns, D.D. D.C.L. Bishop of Ballarat on Sunday, April 22nd 1990 Henderson & Lodge – Architects, Bachelors Building & Joinery builders Rev. W. Van de Camp Parish Priest”.