Harris Park, NSW - St Oliver Plunkett Catholic

History and Architecture:

The Freemans Journal of 17 October 1929 described the laying of the foundation stone as thus,

"The building is of brick and is being built on a block of ground adjacent to the home of the Sisters of Mercy, who have their College at Parramatta. The ground, which is about three-quarters of an acre, was bought for £1254, and the building, when completed and furnished, will cost an additional £3000, so that the total cost will be a little over £4000. The builder and the architect expect that the building will be finished for the end of the year. The Sisters of Mercy will then take charge. In introducing Archbishop Kelly, Rev. Dr. Sheehy congratulated the gathering for braving the elements to come to this ceremony".

Built in the Romanesque style of architecture the external walls are of blue O.K. face bricks, and the hall is 80 x 30 feet. It contains a porch 12 x 8, two cloak-rooms 12 x 8, two sacristies 12 x 10, and a sanctuary 12ft wide columns and in tableture. The floor is of tallow-wood, and the roof of glazed tiles. Tinted Flemish glass form the windows, and special attention has been devoted to the ad-mission of natural lighting.

A Foundation stone reads, " The Foundation stone of this School - Church dedicated to Blessed Oliver Plunkett was blessed and laid + Michael Archbishop of Sydney October 13th 1929 P.J. Sheehy DD PP".