Elmore, VIC - Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic

History and Architecture:

The first Catholic Church was erected in 1896 on the triangular block opposite the present church where the Office of Housing flats now stand. It was a weatherboard building. The parish was established n 1902 with Monsignor Rooney as Parish Priest. The Foundation stone of the present Church was blessed by Rev S. Reville DD OSA second Bishop of Sandhurst on 26th June 1905.

From 1920 to 1961 two Priests resided in Elmore and Mass was celebrated each Sunday at Muskerry, Goornong, Runneymede and Elmore.

During Fr D.R. O'Neill time he arranged for some alterations to be made in both Muskerry and Elmore churches so that Mass could be celebrated with the Priest facing the people. He also negotiated with the Huntly Shire to have flats built on church property (the land opposite the present church) for low income, elderly people. The Shire cleared and levelled the ground and when it was ready for building, donated 11 to the Victorian Housing Commission.