Baradine’s St John’s Catholic Church has marked a milestone event nearly 100 years to the day from when the building was dedicated and opened.

Church history and the enduring faith of the community were celebrated when parishioners and former residents gathered at a celebratory Mass and display of memorabilia at St John’s School on Sunday, 17 March.

Bishop Michael McKenna, from Bathurst,took the commemorative liturgy, assisted by Father Francis Muhenda.

“Bishop McKenna talked about those who have joined and been part of this community over the years and hopefully those who will worship in the church into the future,” said organising team member, Kim Tym.

“He mentioned how special our whole community is.

“It was great to see the school students involved in the Mass when they brought up some of the artefacts from our history during the service – it was an important contribution to the celebration.

“It was lovely to see families return to Baradine for the event and those from other denominations who celebrated with us. In some cases, there were three generations of former residents who used to worship at the church and/or attend the school.

“During our search of sacramental records, we found information on people who had been married in the church, so we were able to have a lovely display of wedding dresses and photographs.

“We were fortunate enough to have Rae Tassell’s beautiful dress she wore at her wedding 70 years ago on display, as well as Nea Worrell’s dress she wore in the church nearly 50 years ago.

“We tried to delineate between the school and the parish in the displays, which is difficult to do because they are so closely connected, which is lovely.”

Mrs Tym said that the church underwent some infrastructure upgrades, which were completed in time for the centenary event.

“We had a new ceiling put in, doors put on, painting done and even some dimmable lights installed,” added Mrs Tym.

“It is lovely to see the church get a bit of a revamp; it is a great achievement."

 

Historically

 

Along with the adjoining Catholic School, the church is associated historically with the development of the town.

The timber building of the original church of St John the Baptist, consecrated in 1903 on the same site, was replaced with the current gothic-style rendered brick building and external buttress walls in 1924.

Like many other public buildings in Baradine, the money required to fund its construction was raised by public subscription, hard work and locally-raised loans.

Publican Tom Harford, postmaster Ernie Ford, A. Ford and Miss Sophia Cooper are listed as guarantors for a loan with the Bank of NSW, which was negotiated to hasten the church’s construction.

This loan was re-negotiated as extra funds were required to build the convent and set up the school.

In 1927 the general debt on the complex had grown to £1,800.

Parish priest, Father Loneragan was the driving force behind the building of the new church. He is remembered as both a popular, hard-working priest and a great builder. Several other churches and convents were built in the parish during his incumbency.

 

Opening

 

The Mudgee Guardian issue of 13 March, 1924 reported on the opening of the building.

‘At Baradine, on Sunday, 16th March, at 10am, the ceremony of dedication and opening of the new Catholic Church will be performed by Very Rev. Dr. O’Reilly, President of St. John’s College, University of Sydney, after which a special address will be delivered. At 4pm Dr. O’Reilly will open a new church at Binnaway’.

On 6 June, 1926, at the request of Father Loneragan, a community of three sisters was chosen to open a Catholic school in Baradine. The three sisters were Sr M. Mechtilde (superior), Sr M. Koska (principal) and Sr M. Therese.

Former teachers at the school were district residents Mary Casey and Esme Rice.

School classes commenced a month later. Upper primary classes were taught in the original timber church building, a small building situated where the school bell now hangs.

Enrolment when the school started was 72 children, with some classes taught in the present-day church.

In those days, the curriculum taught by the nuns included typewriting, bookkeeping and shorthand, as well as painting, stencilling, needlework and, of course, the three R’s.

From 1926 until 1975 individual children were taught to play the piano and violin, with excellent results in the various examinations for which they entered.

In 1935, classes were extended to include a secondary department, with Sr M. Basil appointed the first secondary teacher. Fourteen children were enrolled and they were taught in the back of the present church. Sister Loyola was the last secondary teacher on staff.

The first purpose-build school consisted of three classrooms, an office, library. A large enclosed verandah was built in 1958 and is still in use today.

 

PHOTO: Organisers of the church centenary event: Trish Crawley, Father Francis Muhenda, Marg McKinnon, Carmel Munns, Kim Tym, Don Walton, Irene Worrell, Bishop Michael McKenna, Nea Worrell and Glenda Johnston.