St Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church

Foundation stone records: DEO OPTIMO - MAXIMO - SUB INVOGATIONE SANGTAR MARIAE - AUXILII CHRISTIANORUM - A D 1917.

A plaque in front of the building records: 'She treasured all things in her heart' - Lk 2:52

A plaque records: Our Lady Help of Christians - Time Capsule - 2000 ~ 2050.

A heritage plaque records: Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church . - The Catholic community has been active in Heathcote since the gold rush of the 1850s. This particular building celebrated its centenary in 2017. - Prior to this, the Catholic Church was responsibe for Heathcote's first timber chapel and school, south of here, as well as for constructing the brick church of St Mary's on this site in 1865. - The original church was demolished to make way for the new one in 1917. Designed by architects C Kempson and W Connolly, this church was constructed by J O'Donnell, and opened by the Bishop of Sandhurst on 16 Dec 1917. Although the second church was named Our Lady Help of Christians, the parish retained the name of St Mary's...Much of the success of St Mary's parish can be attributed to Irish priest Father Denis O'Dee who served from 1897~1936, and is buried beside the altar. He worked tirelessly to bring the Presentation nuns of Elsternwick to Heathcote and for the construction of the Convent opposite the church. This was achieved in 1926 and the nuns remained unril 1974. - In honour of the church's diamond jubilee in 1977, extensive renovations were undertaken including the construction of the Sanctuary. The adjacent parish house was built in 1979, replacing the original Presbytery of 1894 which fell into disrepair. - The grotto in front of the church was designed by Denis Carroll and built by parishioners in 2004. It was blessed by Paul Ly (PP) and dedicated to all the faithful, past and present.