Warrnambool, VIC - St Joseph's Catholic

Year Built: 1872

Denomination: Roman Catholic

Saint: Joseph

Address: 169 Kepler Street, Warrnambool, Victoria, 3280

Architect: William W Wardell

Traditional Owners: Eastern Maar people

Last Updated: 28/06/2023

See Street View

Send your photos

Click on the image to view larger


History and Architecture:

The church was constructed in Decorated Gothic style in blurstone quarried from a local quarry. Construction was commenced in 1869-1872 to the design of William Wardell, although possibly supervised by a local designer and resident, Samuel Parker. The western bays of the nave and the tower and broach spire were completed in 1886-1. The erection of the Church was blessed by Bishop Gould on 21 April 1872.

The Foundation stone of the second stage was laid by Bishop Moore on 26 September 1886.

Clergy:

These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.

Years Name Annotation D.o.B D.o.D
1869 - Father N. Bassetto Asst
1874 - 1874 Father Meade Asst
1875 - 1875 Father J. Hoyne Asst
1882 - Father F. Herbert Asst
1882 - 1886 Father M. Shanahan
1882 - 1889 Father T. Moriarty Asst
1886 - 1915 Monsignor J O'Dowd 1915
1889 - 1890 Father J. Walshe Asst
1890 - Father E. Fitzmaurice Asst
1890 - 1891 Father Ellicott Asst
1891 - 1917 Father Chris Logan Asst
1894 - 1895 Father Harrington Asst
1895 - 1899 Father I. Cleary Asst
1900 - 1905 Father S. Lynch Asst
1905 - 1906 Father Condon Asst
1906 - 1906 Father J. H. Davis Asst
1906 - 1907 Father T. McCarthy Asst
1907 - 1907 Father Lennon Asst
1907 - 1908 Father White Asst
1908 - 1909 Father J. Brophy Asst
1915 - 1929 Monsignor J. F Marshall
1909 - 1914 Father T. Brazil Asst
1929 - 1947 Monsignor P. Kennelly
1947 - 1959 Monsignor E. Galligan
1959 - 1968 Monsignor Daniel O'Connell 1977
1968 - 1981 Monsignor Leo Fiscalini 1995
1981 - Father P. Bohan 2008

Organ:

Built in 1892 the Fincham and Hobday organ has 2012 pipes and was installed in 1893. It cost  £1420s ($2840) and was financed from a bequest of a parishioner, the late James Dooley. The 3 manualled console is cased mainly in Tasmanian blackwood and Sydney cedar and has 42 stops. When installed it was unique in that all working parts were activated pneumatically as opposed to lever and rod action of former models. There is approximately 5km. of tubing in the instrument to carry the air needed to operate it. When it was built, air was supplied by manually operated bellows.
For a full description and photos click here.

Source:

1. Organ Historical Trust of Australia with permission.
2. St Josephs Church Warnnambool A Centuary in Blurstone. 282.9457 W24M