Woodend, VIC - St Ambrose Catholic
Year Built: 1916
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Saint: Ambrose
Address: 16 Templeton Street, Woodend, Victoria, 3442
Architect: Kempson and Conolly
Traditional Owners: Dja Dja Wurrung people
Last Updated: 23/01/2023
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History and Architecture:
Initially Woodend's Catholic residents were served by St. Mary's Mission in Kyneton under the guidence of Rev. Fr. Stack. He was the first resident priest appointed in 1853 and was responsible for an area which extended from Macedon to mid-way between Kyneton and Bendigo and from Trentham to Redesdale.
The first Church was constructed in 1866.
In March 1916 a contract for £2,700 was let to demolish the existing church and construct a new one (eventual cost was £4,500). Archbishop Carr laid the foundation stone of the new church for Father W.B. Power on the 7th of May 1916. £800 was collected on that day towards the cost. The church was designed by Kempson and Connolly in the new Roma-nesque style, ninety four feet long. During the construction Mass was said in the former school.
Clergy:
This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.
Further submissions welcomed.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1889 - 1906 | Father M. Quinn | |||
| 1906 - 1907 | Father English | |||
| 1907 - 1913 | Father E. Keating | 1926 | ||
| 1913 - 1924 | Father William Bourke Power | 1941 | ||
| 1924 - 1926 | Father Timothy W. O'Sullivan | 1928 | ||
| 1926 - 1942 | Father Patrick J. O'Doherty | 1968 | ||
| 1942 - 1952 | Father O'Brien | |||
| 1952 - 1959 | Fther John Joseph Murphy | 1977 | ||
| 1959 - 1963 | Father McGuire | |||
| 1963 - 1979 | Father R. Beare | |||
| 1979 - | Father Ahem | |||
| 2022 - | Father Martin Fleming |
Source:
1. A brief history of St Ambrose Catholic Church Woodend. 1889 - 1989. Mrs Glenda Fisher
2. Deceased Clergy in Australia, 1788-present