Mt Moriac, VIC - St Patrick's Catholic

History and Architecture:

In 1856 Fr Patrick Birmingham formerly of Fiery Creek was directed by Bishop Goold to reside at Mount Moriac with the charge of Colac. This continued for just one year when he left Melbourne and travelled to Sydney. Father Barrett took over his parish.

In January 1856 a church site at Mt Moriac had been procured by land grant and by 1857 a residence has been constructed for the new parish priest, Father Michael Farrelly. In 1858 tenders were called for the construction of a church designed by Henry Billings. The first stone was laid by the Rev. Dr. Fitzpatrick on 31' October 1858. The church was opened in June 1860, and was dedicated by Bishop Goold on 18th November 1860.

The original church was located in Chapel Street and built in 1860. A new Church was built in 1883 and opened by Archbishop Carr but this was demolished in March 1979.

The new church is of a square design with a pyramid like structure over the centre of the building.

Ten years later loose foundations made the walls crack badly, entailing further heavy expenditure on repairs. The church was destroyed by cyclonic winds on 22nd July 1926 and a new church was erected on the foundations of the previous building. The church was rebuilt using Mt Gambier limestone and incorporated many of the original church's fixtures and furnishings.

By February 1950 both ends of the church were near collapse and services had been transferred elsewhere. In 1951 the church, with the exception of the square tower and steeple, was demolished and a new church constructed in its place. The replacement was designed by Reg W. Appleford of East Malvem and puilt by the Lodge brothers and W.J. Kelly. The church, measured 62ft by 22ft, and was opened by Archbishop J.D. Simonds on the 29th November 1953.