PARISH OF ALL SAINTS

KEMPSEY

FOUNDED

1864

DIOCESE

LISMORE

PARISH CHURCH	STATION CHURCHES	HISTORIC CHURCHES
OTHER BUILDINGS	RELIGIOUS ORDERS	PARISH DIRECTORY

PARISH CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS

PARISH	HISTORY	CHURCH

	PARISH
	THE TOWN OF KEMPSEY ON THE MACLEAY RIVER IS THE SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE RICH MACLEAY VALLEY. FOUNDED IN THE MID 1800's FROM PORT MACQUARIE LARGELY TO EXPLOIT THE RICH STANDS OF CEDAR AND ROSEWOOD IN THE AREA IT SOON TURNED TO DAIRYING AND BEEF CATTLE. TODAY IT IS AN ATTRACTIVE RURAL TOWNSHIP FAMED FOR ITS NEARBY BEACHES AND ITS BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. THE PARISH OF KEMPSEY, KNOWN AS WEST KEMPSEY UNTIL THE LATE 1930's, WAS FOUNDED IN 1864 WITHIN THE THEN DIOCESE OF MAITLAND AND IS THE SECOND OLDEST PARISH (AFTER GRAFTON) WITHIN THE PRESENT DIOCESE. IT WAS TRANSFERRED TO ARMIDALE IN 1869 AND TO GRAFTON (LATER LISMORE) IN 1887. ORIGINALLY IT COVERED THE HASTINGS, MACLEAY AND NAMBUCCA VALLEYS AS FAR AS BELLINGEN BUT BY 1880 IT WAS CONFINED TO THE MACLEAY AND HASTINGS VALLEYS. IT HAD TWO STATIONS, ONE AT RAWDON ISLAND IN THE HASTINGS VALLEY AND ONE AT SMITHTOWN ON THE LOWER MACLEAY. IN 1886 RAWDON ISLAND WAS PASSED TO PORT MACQUARIE AND SMITHTOWN BECAME AN INDEPENDANT PARISH. IN 1904 KEMPSEY ESTABLISHED A STATION AT TELEGRAPH POINT BUT THIS TOO PASSED TO PORT MACQAURIE SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING KEMPSEY WITH ITS PRESENT PARISH BOUNDARY. SEVERAL STATION CHURCHES WERE OPENED AT THE SETTLEMENTS OF WILLAWARRIN (1896), BELLBROOK (1899), FREDERICKTON (1905), SHERWOOD (1911) AND LASTLY IN 1967 AT THE COASTAL VILLAGE OF CRESCENT HEAD.
	FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH, EAST KEMPSEY
	SOME CONFUSION ATTENDS THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH IN KEMPSEY. A SMALL WOODEN CHURCH APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN BUILT IN 1858 AND A CATHOLIC CHURCH IS SHOWN NEXT TO THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL IN EAST KEMPSEY IN 1863. WHETHER THESE WERE ONE AND THE SAME IS DIFFCIULT TO VERIFY. IT BECAME THE PARISH CHURCH IN 1864. NO RECORDS OF THIS CHURCH NOW REMAIN.
FIRST ALL SAINTS

FIRST CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS WEST KEMPSEY
BY 1880 WEST KEMPSEY HAD BECOME THE TOWN'S GROWTH AREA AND IT WAS IN THAT YEAR THAT A NEW PARISH CHURCH WAS CONSTRUCTED IN KEMP ST CLOSE TO THE RAILWAY STATION. DEDICATED TO ALL SAINTS AND BUILT OF BRICK IN GOTHIC STYLE POPULAR IN THE DAY ITS BEST FEATURES ARE THE ROSE WINDOW IN THE WEST GABLE AND THE EQUALLY ATTRACTIVE TRIPLE-LIGHT EAST WINDOW. THE OLD CHURCH IS STILL USED AS THE PARISH HALL. SECOND ALL SAINTS

	SECOND CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS
	THE PRESENT IMPOSING BRICK CHURCH WAS BUILT IN 1922 AND EXTENDED IN 1958. IT CONSISTS OF A LARGE AISLESS NAVE WITH A CHANCEL, A WEST PORCH, TWO SHALLOW WESTERN TRANSEPTS, A SACRISTY AND NUN'S CHANCEL, TWO SIDE CONFESSIONALS AND SIDE PORCHES. OUT THE FRONT IS A PRETTY LOURDES GROTTO. THE WEST END IS NOTEBALE FOR ITS THREE-LIGHT STAINED GLASS WEST WINDOW AND ON EITHER SIDE ITS TWO PRETTY TREFOILS. NEXT

THE CHURCH INTERIOR HAS UNDERGONE SEVERAL CHANGES OVER THE YEARS. IN 1958 THE SANCTUARY AND NUN'S CHANCEL WERE ADDED TO THE CHURCH. FOLLOWING THE VATICAN II CHANGES THE LATTER WAS USED FOR A WHILE AS A BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL. TODAY IT IS USED AS A SPARE ROOM.

IN 1978 THE LOVELY MARBLE ALTAR WAS BROKEN UP AND REBUILT IN ITS PRESENT POSITION. THE TABERNACLE WAS ALSO MOVED AT THIS TIME BUT WAS LATER RESTORED TO ITS CENTRAL POSITION IN THE SANCTUARY. A NEW AMBO WAS THEN ADDED IN MATCHING STYLE. THE POLISHED CEDAR REREDOS AND BALDACCHINO WERE ADDED IN 1958 AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL CHANCEL FURNISHINGS BUT THE CEDAR CRUCIFIX REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IN THE 1970's.

TRADITIONAL STATUES OF OUR LADY AND ST JOSEPH STAND IN NICHES TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE CHANCEL AND THE LOVELY FONT HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH.

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THE CHANGING FACE OF THE SANCTUARY OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH. AS WAS COMMON AT THE TIME, THE CHURCH WAS BUILT IN TWO STAGES WITH THE NAVE AND PORCH BEING COMPLETED FIRST AND THE CHANCEL, NUN'S CHANCEL AND SACRISTY ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS LATER. THE ORIGINAL SANCTUARY WAS THUS A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE SCREENING OFF THE FRONT OF THE NAVE TO CREATE THE SANCTUARY PROPER AND TWO SACRISTIES (BELOW LEFT).

IN THE 1950's THE CHURCH WAS EXTENDED BY THE ADDITION OF A CHANCEL, A SACRISTY TO THE LEFT AND A NUN'S CHANCEL TO THE RIGHT. A PERMANENT SANCTUARY (LEFT) WAS THEN BUILT WITH ITS BEAUTIFUL CEDAR REREDOS, BALDACCHINO AND MARBLE HIGH ALTAR. THE ORIGINAL CRUCIFIX WAS OF CONTRASTING WHITE MARBLE NOW REPLACED BY THE PRESENT RED CEDAR CRUCIFIX.

THE LITURGICAL CHANGES OF THE 1970's SAW THE REMOVAL OF THE ALTAR RAILS AND THE INSTALLATION OF A TEMPORARY ALTAR FORWARD OF THE OLD HIGH ALTAR (BELOW RIGHT). LATER THE HIGH ALTAR WAS DEMOLISHED AND RECONSTRUCTED IN PLACE OF THE TEMPORARY ALTAR AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE PRESENT CHURCH.

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THE SANCTUARY (ABOVE) AND ITS FURNISHINGS, THE TABERNACLE AND THE ALTAR (RIGHT) - A STATEMENT IN REFINED ELEGANCE. NEXT


IN THE 1970's THE MAGNIFICENT CRUCIFIX MADE OF POLISHED CEDAR REPLACED AN EARLIER ONE TO SUIT THE 1958 REREDOS.	A VIEW ACROSS THE SANCTUARY TOWARDS THE SACRISTY SHOWING THE REBUILT ALTAR, MODERN AMBO AND TABERNACLE.	THE AMBO WAS BUILT IN THE 1970's AND IS MADE OF CEDAR WITH MARBLE PANELS REPRESENTING THE FOUR EVANGELISTS.
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	(^^^^) THE LOVELY MARBLE FONT WAS MOVED FROM THE BAPTISTRY IN 1978.(<<>>) THE STATUES OF ST JOSEPH AND OUR LADY IN THEIR NICHES.
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	WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE FONT TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH THE OLD BAPTISTRY WAS CONVERTED INTO THE SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART. HERE ARE ALSO FOUND A STATUE OF ST THERESE AND THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE. <<<<

	^^^^ THE VIEW TO THE WEST SHOWING THE RED CEDAR GALLERY WITH ITS TWO ATTRACTIVE CIRCULAR COLUMNS AND THE SUPERB STAINED GLASS THREE-LIGHT WEST WINDOW, THE WORK OF GLAZIER MR JOHN ASHWIN OF SYDNEY. NEXT


	ONE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
TWO VIEWS OF THE GREAT WEST WINDOW - FROM BELOW THE GALLERY (<<<) AND FROM WITHIN THE GALLERY (>>>) SHOWING THE SKILLFUL AND EXTENSIVE LEAD-LIGHTING AND THE STRONG COLOURS. THIS WINDOW IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE CHURCH'S TREASURES. TOP STATION CHURCHES

STATION CHURCHES
BELLBROOK	CRESCENT HEAD	HICKEY'S CREEK	URLGURL	WILLAWARRIN

CHURCH OF ST PATRICK, BELLBROOK
	STATION
	THE HISTORIC LITTLE VILLAGE OF BELLBROOK LIES IN THE UPPER MACLEAY VALLEY ON THE OLD BACK ROAD TO ARMIDALE. ONCE A THRIVING FARMING COMMUNITY, TODAY IT HAS TO RELY HEAVILY ON TOURISM FOR ITS EXISTANCE. BELLBROOK BECAME A STATION OF WEST KEMPSEY AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. INITIALLY THE STATION WAS CALLED URLGURL, BUT IT SOON ADOPTED THE NAME OF THE VILLAGE IT WAS TO SERVE FOR NEARLY 100 YEARS. EARLY IN THE NEW CENTURY THE CHURCH WAS CLOSED DUE TO THE LACK OF PRIESTS ALTHOUGH IT IS STILL A DE JURE STATION OF KEMPSEY AND MAY SOME DAY HOPEFULLY EXPERIENCE A NEW SPRINGTIME. CHURCH

CHURCH

THE LITTLE WOODEN CHURCH OF ST PATRICK IS THE TWIN OF THAT BUILT AT WILLAWARRIN THREE YEARS EARLIER. BUILT IN 1899, IT CONSISTS OF A NAVE, PORCH AND TWIN SACRISTIES, THE SOUTHERN (EASTERN) OF WHICH HAS NO CONNECTION TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH AND WAS USED FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS BY PRIESTS IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PARISH. ITS ONE DIFFERENCE WITH ITS TWIN IS THE SHALLOW CHANCEL EXTENSION AT THE REAR (BELOW RIGHT). SIMPLE LANCETS AND ROOF CROSSES PROVIDE SIMPLE CHURCH DECORATIVE EFFECTS.

SADLY THE CHURCH HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO DECAY THROUGH DISUSE AND TODAY SURROUNDED BY A TUMBLEDOWN FENCE IT KEEPS ITS LONELY VIGIL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE VILLAGE.

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THE SIMPLE UNCLUTTERED INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH PRESENTS A WONDERFUL IMAGE OF PEACE AND DEVOTION. TRADTIONAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS LINE THE WALLS AND THE SANCTUARY IS FURNISHED WITH STATUES OF OUR LADY AND THE SACRED HEART, AN ALTAR AND CRUCIFIX. THE MENSA OF THE ORIGINAL ALTAR HAS BEEN MOVED FORWARD TO ACCOMODATE THE NOVUS ORDO MASS. A SPECIAL LITTLE FEATURE IS THE DECORATIVE BOSS ON THE CEILING (BELOW LEFT) ABOVE WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL ALTAR PIECE, A LOVELY PIECE OF ART TESTIFYING TO THE FAITH OF THOSE EARLY WORSHIPPERS WHO STROVE TO BRING A LITTLE OF THE DIVINE INTO THEIR LIVES.

THE DECISION TO EXTEND THE CHANCEL INTO A SHALLOW BAY HAS HAD THE FELICITOUS EFFECT OF ALLOWING FOR A WINDOW TO BE INSERTED ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SANCTUARY LETTING THE MORNING SUNSHINE CREATE A LOVELY HALO EFFECT AROUND THE STATUES OF OUR LADY AND THE SACRED HEART OF OUR LORD JESUS.

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	<<<< THE ATTRACTIVE PAINTED BOSS WHICH WOULD HAVE SERVED IN PLACE OF A BALDACCHINO OVER THE ORIGINAL ALTAR PIECE OF THE CHURCH. THE SPARESENESS OF THE POST-VATICAN II SANCTUARY IS BOTH STARK AND YET APPOSITE IN THIS SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY CHURCH. vvvv NEXT

	DESPITE THE GENERAL AIR OF DISUSE IN THE CHURCH THE TWO STATUES (LEFT & RIGHT) ARE LOVINGLY PRESERVED AND REFLECT ALL THEIR TRADITIONAL COLOUR AND FORM. ALSO OF SPECIAL NOTE IS THE CARVED WOODEN ALTAR (BELOW) DECORATED WITH HAND PAINTED MOTIFS INCLUDING AN UNUSUALLY FLORAL IHS BY A LONG-DEAD LOCAL PARISHIONER. NEXT

THE PLAIN INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH WITH ITS TRADITIONAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS (RIGHT ABOVE) TESTIFIES TO THE SIMPLE LIFE LED BY THE EARLY PIONEERS. AMONG THE TREATS OF THE CHURCH IS THIS SET OF OLD-STYLE CHASUBLES KEPT FROM THE PRE-VATICAN II PERIOD. TOP STATION CHURCHES CRESCENT HEAD

CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA, CRESCENT HEAD
	STATION
	CRESCENT HEAD IS A BEACHSIDE COMMUNITY POPULAR WITH HOLIDAY MAKERS AND SURFERS. IT WAS AN OCCASIONAL STATION OF KEMPSEY FOR SEVERAL DECADES AFTER WORLD WAR II BUT WAS CLOSED FOR SERVICES IN 2003. CHURCH

CHURCH
INITIALLY SERVICES IN CRESCENT HEAD WERE HELD IN THE LOCAL SURF CLUB UNTIL 1968 WHEN THE THEN PARISH PRIEST PURCHASED TWO PORTABLE HALF CLASSROOMS WHICH HE HAD TRANSPORTED TO CRESCENT HEAD AND ERECTED AS A CHURCH NEXT TO THE POLICE STATION. IT CLEARLY SHOWS ITS ORIGIN BEING A PLAIN HALL WITH A VERANDAH, LARGE SQUARE WINDOWS AND A STOREROOM.

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	ORIGINALLY THE ORIENTATION OF THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH WAS SOUTH-NORTH (BELOW) BUT IN THE 1970's THE CHURCH WAS ARRANGED LENGTHWISE (LEFT). THE CHURCH WAS FURNISHED WITH THE FITTINGS, INCLUDING THE LOVELY ALTAR, FROM THE OLD BELMORE RIVER CHURCH. NEXT

TOP STATION CHURCHES WILLAWARRIN

CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, WILLAWARRIN
	STATION
	THE VILLAGE OF WILLAWARRIN LIES ON THE ARMIDALE ROAD TOWARDS BELLBROOK. A PLEASANT RURAL VILLAGE IT RELIES TODAY ON THE TOURIST TRADE FOR SURVIVAL. WILLAWARRIN, THEN KNOWN AS HICKEY'S CREEK, BECAME A STATION OF WEST KEMPSEY IN THE 1890's. AFTER 110 YEARS OF USE IT WAS CLOSED IN LATE 2004. CHURCH

CHURCH

THE HISTORIC CHURCH OF ST JOHN AT WILLAWARRIN IS ONE OF THE OLDEST CHURCHES STILL IN USE IN THE DIOCESE HAVING BEEN BUILT IN 1896 AND IS THE VIRTUAL TWIN OF THAT AT BELLBROOK BUT FOR THE LATTER'S SHALLOW CHANCEL.

ST JOHN'S CHURCH COMPRISES A NAVE PLUS PORCH AND MATCHING SACRISTIES, THE LEFT-HAND ONE OF WHICH HAS NO ENTRANCE INTO THE CHURCH AND WAS USED AS A OVERNIGHT FLAT BY THE PRIEST. THE ARCHED LANCET WINDOWS AND GABLE CROSSES PROVIDE THE BUILDING WITH AN APPROPRIATELY ECCLESIASTICAL APPEARANCE.

THE GROUNDS ARE ATTRACTIVELY FILLED WITH SEVERAL TREES MANY AS OLD AS THE CHURCH ITSELF WHICH PROVIDE A SHADY AND COUNTRYSIDE AMBIENCE.

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	THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH IS VERY PLAIN AS BEFITS A SIMPLE COUNTRY 'GOD-BOX', YET FULFILLS ALL THE REQUIRMENTS OF A CATHOLIC CHURCH - STATIONS OF THE CROSS, STATUES OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS AND OUR LADY AND AN ALTAR AND CRUCIFIX. THE WHITE ALTAR IS THE MENSA OF THE ORIGINAL ALTAR PIECE AND IS DECORATED WITH A SIMPLE CARVED IHS. NEXT

THE UNCLUTTERED AND WELL-LIT SANCTUARY (BELOW LEFT) AND THE CLEAN SIMPLE LINES OF THE NAVE (BELOW RIGHT).

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	<<<< THE STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART IS TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY. >>>> THE STATUE OF OUR LADY IS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SANCTUARY. vvvv THIS PLAIN BRONZE CRUCIFIX IS THE SOLE ADORNMENT LOCATED WITHIN THE OTHERWISE PLAIN SANCTUARY. NEXT

	(<<<) ONE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. (vvv & >>>) OLD MASS CARD AND SACRED HEART IN THE PORCH.

TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES

HISTORIC CHURCHES

HELP PLEASE

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE COMPREHENSIVE. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY CHURCHES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED, OR HAS INFORMATION ABOUT OR HISTORIC PHOTOS OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CHURCHES PLEASE CONTACT ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU AND ADDING TO THE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CHURCHES.

FREDERICKTON

SHERWOOD

CHURCH OF ST JOHN, FREDERICKTON
	THE TOWNSHIP OF FREDERICKTON LIES JUST NORTH OF KEMPSEY ON THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY. IT WAS MADE A STATION OF WEST KEMPSEY IN THE EARLY 1900's BUT WAS CLOSED IN 1990 DUE TO ITS PROXIMITY TO KEMPSEY AND THE CHURCH SOLD. THE PLAIN WOODEN CHURCH OF ST JOHN WAS BUILT IN 1905 AND AT FIRST CONSISTED OF A NAVE ONLY WITH A PORCH AND SACRISTY BEING ADDED LATER. SADLY AFTER EIGHTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF 'FREDO' THE CHURCH IS NOW A PRIVATE HOME ALTHOUGH STILL A PROMINENT LANDMARK IN THE MAIN STREET OF THE TOWN.

	THE ORIGINAL CHURCH WAS A PLAIN HALL WITH NO PORCH OR SACRISTY. IT IS SEEN HERE ON THE LEFT AS IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1900's. ON THE RIGHT AND ABOVE RIGHT IS THE CHURCH IN THE 1960's WITH PORCH AND SIDE SACRISTY ADDED. THE CHURCH HAS NOW BEEN CONVERTED INTO A PRIVATE HOME THOUGH LITTLE CHANGED APART FROM THE ADDITION OF AN EAVE ON THE PORCH.
TOP HISTORIC CHURCHES SHERWOOD

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, SHERWOOD
	SHERWOOD IS A SMALL VILLAGE LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN BANK OF THE MACLEAY, UPRIVER FROM KEMPSEY. IT WAS A STATION OF WEST KEMPSEY PARISH FROM ca. 1910 TILL IT CLOSED IN THE 1980's. THE LITTLE WOODEN CHURCH WAS BUILT ABOUT 1911 AND CONSISTED OF A NAVE, PORCH AND SACRISTY. IT SERVED FOR 70 YEARS TILL IT WAS CONVERTED INTO A RESIDENCE FOR RELIGIOUS WORKING WITH THE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY. IT HAS SINCE BECOME A PRIVATE HOME.

TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES OTHER BUILDINGS

OTHER BUILDINGS
AS THE SECOND OLDEST PARISH IN THE DIOCESE KEMPSEY HAS HAD A WIDE RANGE OF BUILDINGS OVER ITS LIFE. THE CHURCH COMPLEX ITSELF INCLUDES THE SECOND CHURCH BUILT IN 1880 AND NOW THE PARISH HALL AND THE PRESBYTERY BUILT IN 1911 WHICH TOOK THE PLACE OF TWO PREVIOUS PRESBYTERIES, BOTH LATER USED AS CONVENTS. IN 1884 THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF THE SACRED HEART ARRIVED IN WEST KEMPSEY TO ESTABLISH THEIR FIRST CONVENT AND SCHOOL ON THE NORTH COAST BUT WITHDREW 12 YEARS LATER. THEY WERE FOLLOWED BY THE PRESENTATION SISTERS FROM 1896 TO 1898. IN 1900 THE SISTERS OF MERCY ARRIVED TO STAFF THE SCHOOL AND OPEN A CONVENT (NOW CATHERINE McAULEY HOUSE). THE MERCY SISTERS ALSO ESTABLISHED ST PHILOMENA'S HIGH SCHOOL AND LATER ST PIUS X REGIONAL GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL IN 1973. IN 1965 THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS FOUNDED A BOYS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL, ST PAUL'S COLLEGE. THESE TWO HIGH SCHOOLS WERE AMALGAMATED IN 1980 AS THE MACLEAY REGIONAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, BUT REVERTED TO THE NAME OF ST PAUL'S COLLEGE IN 1985. THE PARISH ALSO OPENED A VOCATIONAL COLLEGE IN 1981 TO CATER FOR LESS ACADEMIC STUDENTS BUT IT WAS CLOSED IN 1989. IN KEEPING WITH THE AGING POPULATION AND THE NEED FOR AGED CARE SERVICES, THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY IN COOPERATION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPENED VINCENT COURT IN 1976 IN WEST KEMPSEY. IT WAS LATER TAKEN OVER BY THE PARISH AND TODAY IS AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO KEMPSEY'S HEALTH FACILITIES. THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY HAS HAD A RETAIL CENTRE IN THE TOWN SINCE 1962 WHILE CENTACARE, THE CATHOLIC WELFARE AGENCY, ALSO HAS AN OFFICE IN KEMPSEY. AN INTERESTING FEATURE OF THE PARISH COMPLEX IS THE OLD TENNIS COURTS AND CLUBHOUSE BEHIND THE PRESBYTERY WHERE A TENNIS CLUB OPERATED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
KEMPSEY PRESBYTERIES	KEMPSEY VOCATIONAL COLLEGE	KEMPSEY ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY	KEMPSEY CENTACARE	KEMPSEY VINCENT COURT

PRESBYTERIES, KEMPSEY
	WHEN KEMPSEY BECAME A PARISH IN 1864 THE FIRST PARISH PRIEST, FR O'SULLIVAN, WAS BASED IN ARMIDALE AND STAYED IN A HOTEL OR WITH CATHOLIC FAMILIES WHEN HE VISITED HIS PARISH. THE FIRST PRESBYTERY, A CREAM STONE ONE-STORY BUILDING ON THE SITE OF THE PRESENT CHURCH, APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN BUILT AROUND 1874 WHEN LAND WAS FIRST SET ASIDE FOR A CATHOLIC CHURCH, ALTHOUGH THE LAND WAS NOT ACTUALLY PURCHASED UNTIL THE MID-1880's. IT WAS LATER USED AS A CONVENT AND THEN DEMOLISHED. THE SECOND PRESBYTERY, A TWO-STORY BRICK BUILDING, WAS BUILT IN 1886 AND TODAY, MUCH ALTERED, FORMS THE CENTRAL SECTION OF THE CONVENT OF THE MERCY SISTERS TO WHOM IT WAS GIVEN IN 1911 WHEN THE THIRD AND PRESENT PRESBYTERY ( LEFT ) WAS BUILT. NEXT

THE PRESENT PRESBYTERY WAS THE THIRD IN KEMPSEY AND WAS BUILT IN 1911 ( RIGHT ). IN 1956 IT WAS EXTENSIVELY RENOVATED AND AN EXTRA WING ADDED ( ABOVE ). A MAGNIFICENT TWO-STOREY COLONIAL-STYLE BRICK BUILDING, IT PRESENTLY HOUSES THE PARISH OFFICE AS WELL AS BEING THE HOME OF THE PARISH PRIEST. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS VOCATIONAL COLLEGE

CATHOLIC VOCATIONAL COLLEGE, KEMPSEY

THE CATHOLIC VOCATIONAL COLLEGE WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF LOCAL PARISHIONER PERCY CHISHOLM. IT OPENED IN 1981 TO CATER FOR THE NON-ACADEMICALLY INCLINED OR CAPABLE STUDENTS WHO HAD COMPLETED YEAR 10 AND FOCUSSED ON TEACHING BASIC WORK SKILLS. THE SMALL COLLEGE WAS SUSTAINED BY MANY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS NOT JUST THE PARISH AND FOR 8 YEARS IT HAD PHENOMENAL SUCCESS IN PLACING STUDENTS IN FULL-TIME JOBS.

SADLY FUNDING WAS ALWAYS HAND TO MOUTH WITH LITTLE OR NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGE. WITH CHANGES TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AND AUSTUDY TO KEEP STUDENTS IN THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SYSTEM THE COLLEGE FOUND ITSELF UNABLE TO CONTINUE AND IN 1989 THIS SUCCESSFUL OUTREACH OF THE PARISH CHURCH WAS CLOSED PERMANENTLY.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, KEMPSEY

THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN KEMPSEY FOR SEVERAL DECADES FULFILLING THE APOSTOLATE LAID DOWN BY FREDERICK OZANAM. AMONG THE SPECIAL WORKS OF THE SOCIETY CARRIED OUT BY THE LOCAL CONFERENCE WAS THE BUILDING OF VINCENT COURT HOSTEL TO PROVIDE CARE FOR AGED PERSONS.

DURING 1962 THE FIRST "WELFARE CENTRE" OPENED IN THE PARISH HALL. LATER THAT YEAR ON THE ADVICE OF MR JOE SAMIYA, THE PRESENT PREMISES WERE RENTED IN BELGRAVE ST. IN EARLY 1963 THE BUILDING WAS PURCHASED AND EXTENSIVELY RENOVATED AND TODAY IT CONTINUES TO BE THE SOCIETY'S HEADQUARTERS.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS CENTACARE

CENTACARE, KEMPSEY

IN THE LATE 20th CENTURY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS ESTABLISHED A CATHOLIC WELFARE AGENCY CALLED CENTACARE TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING FOR PEOPLE IN NEED. A BRANCH OF THIS AGENCY WAS ESTABLISHED IN KEMPSEY FROM PORT MACQAURIE AND OPERATES OUT OF SMALL OFFICE IN BELGRAVE ST.

THE OFFICE IS A MODERN ONE REFLECTING THE WORK OF THE AGENCY WHICH IS IN KEEPING WITH NEWER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMA AND STRESS THAT AFFECT MANY PEOPLE IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AND FOR WHICH IT PROVIDES COUNSELLING.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS VINCENT COURT

VINCENT COURT, KEMPSEY

IN APRIL 1973 A COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO ORGANISE A HOME FOR THE AGED IN KEMPSEY. THE PARISH DONATED LAND NEXT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY WAS ASKED TO RUN THE FACILITY ON THE BASIS OF ITS PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN SUCH VENTURES. IN 1976 VINCENT COURT WAS OPENED.

SINCE 1976 THE FACILITY HAS HAD EXTENSIONS IN 1984 (A 10 BED HOSTEL) AND IN 2006 (NEW WINGS AND A CHAPEL). ORIGINALLY STAFFED WITH VOLUNTEER LABOUR IT IS TODAY A PROFESSIONALLY RUN NURSING HOME MANAGED BY THE PARISH ON BEHALF OF THE DIOCESE AND HAS BECOME A KEY PART OF AGED CARE FOR RESIDENTS OF THE MACLEAY VALLEY.

CHAPEL

CHAPEL

AS PART OF THE 2006 EXTENSIONS AND RENOVATIONS THE NURSING HOME WAS GIVEN A CHAPEL MARKING THIS DEFINITIVELY AS A CATHOLIC FACILITY.

THE CHAPEL ITSELF IS CONTAINED IN A CURVED PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN THE OLDER SECTION OF THE FACILITY AND THE NEW WINGS WITH A SHALLOW EXTENSION MARKED BY TWO NARROW WINDOWS INDICATING THE CHANCEL.

THE EXTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL IS AT PRESENT UNMARKED APART FROM SEVERAL LINES OF COLOURED BRICKS. AS THE CHAPEL IS VERY NEW THIS MAY BE ALTERED AT SOME LATER DATE.

THE STYLE OF THE CHAPEL IS LARGELY MODERN MINIMALIST AS IS COMMON IN CATHOLIC FACILITIES CATERING TO PATIENTS FROM A RANGE OF FAITHS.

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AS IS TO BE EXPECTED IN SUCH A RECENTLY COMPLETED CHAPEL THE INTERIOR IS VERY MINIMALIST. IN PART THIS IS AN INTENTION OF THE DESIGN BUT FURTHER DECORATION IS INTENDED. THIS WILL INCLUDE SPECIFICALLY A SET OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS.

AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS THE CHAPEL CONTAINS THE ESSENTIALS, NAMELY A PLAIN WOODEN ALTAR AND CRUCIFIX BACKED BY AN INTERESTING PANELLED REREDOS ( BELOW ). LIGHTING COMES VIA THE TWO NARROW SIDE WINDOWS. AS IS APPROPRIATE FOR AN AGED CARE FACILITY THE SEATING IS OF A COMFORTABLE LOUNGE STYLE.

THE SOLE REMAINING DECORATIVE EFFECTS ARE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE ALTAR, NAMELY TWO ATTRACTIVE MODERN ICONS SHOWING THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY AND THE HOLY FAMILY RESEPCTIVELY ( BELOW LEFT & RIGHT ).

A SMALL QUIET ROOM HAS BEEN PROVIDED OFF THE CHAPEL FOR PRIVATE MEDIATATIONS.

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TOP OTHER BUILDINGS RELIGIOUS ORDERS PARISH DIRECTORY

RELIGIOUS ORDERS
SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF THE SACRED HEART NEW SOUTH WALES PROVINCE	PRESENTATION SISTERS LISMORE CONGREGATION
SISTERS OF MERCY GRAFTON CONGREGATION	CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL KEMPSEY	ST PHILOMENA'S HIGH SCHOOL KEMPSEY	ST PIUS X GIRL'S HIGH SCHOOL KEMPSEY	ST PAUL'S COLLEGE KEMPSEY

PARISH DIRECTORY
PARISH CHURCH CNR MARSH & KEMP STS WEST KEMPSEY 2440 POST: PO BOX 7 KEMPSEY 2440 PHONE: (02) 6562 5182 FAX: (02) 6562 5716 EMAIL: cathkemp@midcoast.com.au WEBSITE: www.midcoast.com.au/~cathkemp	PRIMARY SCHOOL ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL 36 KEMP ST WEST KEMPSEY 2440 POST: PO BOX 150 WEST KEMPSEY 2440 PHONE: (02) 6562 5501 FAX: (02) 6562 1371 EMAIL: sjpkemp@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: sjpkemp.lism.catholic.edu.au
STATION CHURCHES ST PATRICK BELLBROOK ARMIDALE RD BELLBROOK OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA CRESCENT HEAD OCEAN ST CRESCENT HEAD ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST WILLAWARRIN ARMIDALE RD WILLAWARRIN	SECONDARY SCHOOL ST PAUL'S COLLEGE SEA ST WEST KEMPSEY 2440 POST: PO BOX 145 WEST KEMPSEY 2440 PHONE: (02) 6562 7200 FAX: (02) 6563 1364 EMAIL: spckemp@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: spckemp.lism.catholic.edu.au
AGED CARE VINCENT COURT HOSTEL 88 LEITH ST WEST KEMPSEY 2440 PHONE: (02) 6562 6062 FAX: (02) 6562 7608 EMAIL: vincourt@turboweb.net.au	WELFARE SERVICES ST VINCENT DE PAUL 82A BELGRAVE ST KEMPSEY 2440 PHONE: (02) 6562 4071 CENTACARE SUITE 1 146 BELGRAVE ST KEMPSEY 2440 POST: PO BOX 572 KEMPSEY 2440 PHONE: (02) 6563 1806 FAX: (02) 6562 3999

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

MUCH OF THE INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE CAME FROM THE HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC PARISH KEMPSEY BY HEATHER PIDGEON AND IS HERE ACKNOWLEDGED WITH GRATITUDE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE PARISH STAFF FOR THEIR HELP.

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