All Saints' Catholic Church

A plaque records: The foundation stone of this - All Saints' Church was laid by - Bishop James Goold - on 19th July 1857 - The church was dedicated by him - on 6th April 1862.- The original All Saints' Church - was built in 1949 - Plaque erected 1988.

A plaque records: All Saints Church - Portland's first Roman Catholic church service was held in 1844. A Roman Catholic Church was constructed near this site in 1848. The construction of All Saints Catholic Church commenced in 1857 and was completed in 1862. The addition of a striking iron spire in 1887 greatly changed the appearance of this impressive Portland landmark. In 1862 Mary MacKillop arrived in Portland and she and her family worshipped at All Saints' Church, becoming involved in the life of the church.

A plaque records: All Saints Catholic Church - 'One great happiness I enjoy, is, I have charge of the Altar and the Lamp, and being able to go into the chapel at any time, where the Blessed Sacrament always is, is a precious favour indeed.'  Mary MacKillop, 1864.

The construction of All Saints Catholic Church began in 1857 and was completed in 1862 - the same year that Mary MacKillop arrived in Portland. Mary was closely involved in the life of the church: she worshipped here with her family and also became sacristan, accepting responsibility for the care of the church.

When Mary MacKillop was beatified on 19 January 1995, the parishioners installed a stained glass window at the southern end of the building in honour of the Australian saint who had lived and worked amongst the people of Portland. 

The window depicts the young Mary teaching her beloved students beneath the Southern Cross. It was designed by local artist Terry Eichler and produced by the Portland Leadlighters Guild.