Murtoa, VIC - St Mary's Catholic

History and Architecture:

One of the first services in Murtoa was that of 4 October 1875 when Father P Moore took Mass in Murtoa.

Construction of the first church took place in 1880 and the formal opening of the building occurred on 10 July 1881 when Dean Moore from Ballarat officiated at the event. Four memebers of the Ballarat Choir attended the celebrations on the insistence of Mr Michael Comyn.*

In the early days of this church there was some confusion as to its name. On some document's it was referred to as St Patrick's and others St Mary's. By 1886 St Mary's was confirmed as the Catholic church of Murtoa.*

The first wedding at the church took place on 1 January 1882 between John Gleeson and Margaret Carmody while the first baptism was on 27 July 1881.*

Like most churches alterations were made firstly in the 1890's and then in 1920 when the nave was extended. In 1950 the porch was extended and in 1969 a new alter was in place.*