St Sebastian's Catholic Church - Former
Merrigum, VIC 3618
Church Information
| Church Name: | St Sebastian's Catholic Church - Former |
| Church Previous Name: | - |
| Denomination: | Catholic Church in Australia |
| Street Address: | 78-84 Morrissey St, Merrigum VIC 3618, Australia |
| Suburb: | Merrigum |
| State: | VIC |
| Postcode: | 3618 |
| Foundation Stone Laid: | 00-11-1902 |
| Foundation Stone Notes: | A foundation stone records: Dedicated - To the Honor of God - Under the invocation - of - St Sebastian - Anno Domini 1902 - + S Reville, Bishop. A plaque records: This plaque was unveiled by - Bishop Joseph Grech - on 23rd February 2003 - To commemorate 100 years of - Catholic worship at - St Sebastian's. |
| Date Opened: | 01-02-1903 |
| Date Closed: | 02-02-2025 |
| Email: | admin@churchesaustralia.org |
Comments
The former St Sebastian's Catholic Church held its final service and decommissioning Mass, presided over by Bishop Shane Mackinlay, on 2/2/2025 The property has now been listed for sale (2025). The church had been part of the Parish of Kyabram and the Diocese of Sandhurst. 'St Sebastian's was built with a bequeath from a local Merrigum Hotel Keeper, John Sebastian Smith who died in 1901. Interestingly, John Smith was an Anglican and, as there was already an Anglican Church in the town, he bequeathed land and 3,400 [pounds] for a Catholic Church to be built in Merrigum. Impressed by this gesture of generosity and ecumenicalism, Bishop Reville suggested that a memorial window in John Smith's memory be installed above the alter1. The church building was opened on 1/2/1903 by Fr Thomas Mulqueen, and after 122 years of service in the community has now closed. More historical information/photographs of the former church/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 14/6/2025.
Note 1: Sourced from: https://www.sandhurst.catholic.org.au/item/2823-st-sebastian-s-merrigum-closes-after-122-years
