New Norfolk, TAS - St Peter's Catholic

History and Architecture:

Archbishop Wilson's first efforts to obtain priestly ministration for the Norfolk district dated from June 19, 1850, when he suggested to the Comptroller-General of convicts that Fr. Woolfrey or one of the chaplains employed in the convict department, be placed at New Norfolk to itinerate for the spiritual care of pass-holders and persons holding tickets-of-leave" belonging to his Church in that township (New Norfolk) and the surrounding parts of the country, as far as Bothwell and Hamilton. In June 1850, there were 191 patients at the institution. One-third of these were Catholics. Willson pointed up the disparity between spiritual servicing of the Anglicans and Catholics in country areas.

A plaque on one front gate post reads, " In memory of the pioneer priests of this parish R.I.P.". The opposite post reads, " Memorial gates erected 1931 Rev T.J. O'Donnell".