Sunshine VIC - Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Catholic

Year Built: 1941

Denomination: Roman Catholic

Address: 92 Monash Street, Sunshine, Victoria, 3020

Architect: Unknown

Traditional Owners: Wurundjeri people

Last Updated: 01/04/2025 - Additional names and dates of service included.

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History and Architecture:

In 1909 at a meeting of local Catholic families from English, Celtic, Maltese and Italian backgrounds that the decision was made to raise funds for a Church in Sunshine.  At the time the Parish of Footscray, formed in 1890, serviced the Pastoral needs of the district of Sunshine with the first Mass celebrated in 1903 at the House of the Station Master. By 1913 a timber church had been built however in 1939 it was burnt down.

A Foundation stone reads, "A.M.D.G. This stone was blessed and laid by Most Rev D Mannix D.D. L.L.D. Archbishop of Melbourne 26th January 1941. Rev F Ryder P.P. P.J. O'Connor Architect. Simme and Co Pty Ltd Builders".

For a complete history visit the church website here.

Clergy:

+ denotes details taken from The Advocate Newspaper. Asst Fathers listed at bottom have no dates to priotise them

Years Name Annotation D.o.B D.o.D
1927 - 1935 Father Patrick E. Fennessy 1973
1935 - 1949 Father Francis Ryder 1961
1949 - 1956 Father Egan 1923 2016
1956 - 1987 Father Bernard Murphy
1957 - Father Brian Walsh Asst
1971+ - Father F. O'Connor Asst
1987 - 1996 Father Breden Lane
1987 - Father Neville McKie Asst
1987 - Father Morwood Asst
1987 - Father Michael Shadbolt Asst
1996 - 2002 Father Lewy Keelty
2002 - 2008 Father Harry Dyer
2007 - 2008 Father Peter Hoang
2008 - 2009 Father Marcus Anandanpulle
2009 - 2011 Father John Maher
2011 - Father Peter Hoang
2016 - Father Peter Damien McKinley
- Father Kerry Conin Asst
- Father De Marzi Asst
- Father Bill Gill Asst
- Father Max Grabau Asst
- Father Lou Heriot Asst
- Father King Asst
- Father Krasocki Asst
- Father Vincent McGillicuddy Asst
- Father Tom Mulligan Asst
- Father Vinh Nguyen Asst
- Father Slawek Plonka Asst
- Father Greg Reynolds Asst
- Father Paul Smithers Asst
- Father Daniel Szewsc Asst
- Father Les Tomlinson Asst
- Father Chris Toms Asst

Organ:

No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.

Source:

1. Church Website.
2. Deceased Clergy in Australia, 1788-2025.