St James' Catholic Church
St James' Catholic Church 17-07-2021 - Derek Flannery
St James' Catholic Church 00-12-1936 - Photograph supplied by Karl Quinn, Ireland

St James' Catholic Church

Peak Hill, NSW 2869

Church Information

Church Name: St James' Catholic Church
Church Previous Name: -
Denomination: Catholic Church in Australia
Street Address: 153 Caswell St, Peak Hill NSW 2869, Australia
Suburb: Peak Hill
State: NSW
Postcode: 2869
Foundation Stone Laid: 16-06-1935
Foundation Stone Notes: 

Foundation stone records: This stone was blessed and laid - by The - Most Rev T M Fox DD - Bishop of Wilcannia - Forbes - 16th June 1935.

(The Catholic Press - 11 July 1935)   "PEAK HILL NEW CHURCH. Laying of Foundation Stone. On Sunday, 16th ult., an important event took place in the parochial life of the town of Peak Hill, when the Right Rev. Dr. T. M. Fox, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes, blessed and laid the foundation stone of the new Church of St. James in the presence of a large concourse of people. His Lordship was assisted by the Right Rev. Monsignor Moran, V.G., Rev. Father S. Heath, pastor of Peak Hill, and Rev. Father P. J. Reeve, of Forbes."

A stone tablet records: This Church of St James - was solemnly consecrated - 10th December 1936 - By The Most Rev T M Fox DD - Bishop of Wilcannia - Forbes - Rev M J Heath.  Pastor.

Date Opened: 13-12-1936
Date Closed: unknown
Email: admin@churchesaustralia.org

Comments

The St James Catholic Church, Peak Hill is in the Parish of Peak Hill and the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes. It was opened and consecrated on 13/12/1936.

(Catholic Freeman's Journal - 17 December 1936)   "PEAK HILL. Consecration of the Church. A NOTED ACHIEVEMENT. Prior to the solemn opening of the new Catholic Church at Peak Hill, on Sunday, 13th December, His Lordship Most Rev. T. M. Fox, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes, attended by a number of priests of the Bathurst and Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, performed the sacred ceremony of its Consecration."

The present church building replaced an earlier St James Catholic Church, located at 116-120 Derribong Street, built in 1894 and used until 1936. A Convent for the Sisters of St Joseph was opened in 1895 at the same site. Both buildings have now been demolished.

No other details are known. More historical information/photographs of the church/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 30/5/2018.

Note: Karl Quinn, Ireland by email 30/4/2021 alerted to the fact that the church was designed by his great uncle, Fr Michael Heath. It was based on the design of the church in Ireland where he had been baptised. He added two towers at the front of the Peak Hill church, otherwise the two are the same. The church in Ireland - https://www.doorabarefieldparish.ie/church/church-of-the-immaculate-conception-barefield/

Last Updated: Thursday 9th March, 2023
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