Peak Hill, NSW - St Jame's Catholic

History and Architecture:

Church services were originally held at the home of Denis McAuliffe on his grazing property at Bulgandramine until 1894.

The Old St James Catholic Church was located at 116 Derribong Street Peak Hill and was built probably in c.1894 and in use in early 1895 and continued until c1936. The parish map of 1893 shows that John Dunne (Bishop) had purchased the land. The Bishop Byrne of Bathurst visited Peak Hill in February 1895 to open the new convent in the same location for the Sisters of St Joseph.

Both the old convent and the old church buildings are now demolished and the land has been used by the Peak Hill Central School for the agricultural plot gardens.

The Presbytery was built in 1913 in Caswell Street and which was later incorporated into a convent and later a private residence.

A Foundation stone reads, " This stone was blessed and laid by the Most Rev T.M. Fox D.D. Bishop of Wilcannia - Forbes 16th June 1935". A futher stone reads, " This Church of St James was solemnly consecrated 10th December 1936 by the Most Rev T.M. Fox D.D. Bishop of Wilcannia - Forbes Rev M.J. Heath Pastor".