1955
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LISMORE
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PARISH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES WAUCHOPE |
| FOUNDED 1955 |
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DIOCESE LISMORE |
| PARISH CHURCH | STATION CHURCHES | HISTORIC CHURCHES |
| OTHER BUILDINGS | RELIGIOUS ORDERS | PARISH DIRECTORY |
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| PARISH CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES, WAUCHOPE | ||
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| PARISH | HISTORY | CHURCH |
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| THE TOWN OF WAUCHOPE OWES ITS GROWTH TO THE TIMBER INDUSTRY THAT DEVELOPED IN THE HINTERLANDS OF PORT MACQUARIE. TODAY IT IS AN ATTRACTIVE TOWN OF SOME 5000 INHABITANTS ON THE BANKS OF THE HASTINGS RIVER PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE RICH AGRICULTURAL LANDS OF THE UPPER HASTINGS VALLEY AND IS ALSO THE HOME OF THE FAMOUS TIMBERTOWN TOURIST ATTRACTION. THE FIRST CHURCH IN THE WAUCHOPE AREA WAS AT BEECHWOOD ACROSS THE RIVER BUILT IN 1889, BUT BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WAUCHOPE WAS SUFFICIENTLY GROWN FOR A CHURCH TO BE OPENED AS A STATION OF PORT MACQAURIE PARISH. GROWTH REMAINED SLOW HOWEVER FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS DESPITE THE OPENING OF A CONVENT AND SCHOOL IN 1928. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1955 THAT WAUCHOPE WAS DECLARED A PARISH IN ITS OWN RIGHT TAKING IN THE STATIONS OF BEECHWOOD AND LONG FLAT AND LATER BRIEFLY AT BYABARRA. TODAY IT REMAINS AN ACTIVE PARISH OF THE LISMORE COVERING THE UPPER HASTINGS VALLEY AS FAR AS THE MOUNTAINS. CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH |
| CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH |  |
| THE FIRST CHURCH AT WAUCHOPE, DEDICATED TO ST JOSEPH, WAS BUILT IN 1907 OPPOSITE THE RAILWAY LINE APPROXIMATELY IN FRONT OF THE PRESENT STATIONMASTER'S RESIDENCE. IT WAS A IT WAS A TYPICALLY SMALL RURAL GODBOX COMPRISING A NAVE AND A CHANCEL AND WITH REGULAR ADDITIONS IT WOULD SERVE THE PEOPLE OF WAUCHOPE FOR OVER 60 YEARS. WHEN THE RAILWAY ARRIVED JUST EIGHT YEARS LATER IT WAS OBVIOUS THE SITE WAS UNSUITABLE AND THE CHURCH WAS MOVED TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION. ALTHOUGH IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE TODAY, THE CHURCH WAS THEN CONSIDERED IN THE BUSH!! NEXT |
 | AS WAUCHOPE GREW SO DID THE CHURCH. A PORCH AND SACRISTY WERE ADDED AND THE CHURCH WAS EXTENDED IN LENGTH. LATER WHEN THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH ARRIVED AND THE CHURCH WAS USED AS A SCHOOL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS FURTHER EXTENSIONS AND ADDITIONS WERE MADE LEADING TO THE JUMBLE OF BUILDINGS AT THE BACK OF THE OLD CHURCH THAT EXIST TODAY. WAUCHOPE'S STEADY GROWTH MADE ITS CHURCH, WITH ITS CONVENT AND SCHOOL THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE UPPER HASTINGS VALLEY CHURCHES. BY 1955 THIS IMPORTANCE HAD BEEN RECOGNISED BY THE DIOCESE AND THE CHURCH WAS RAISED TO PAROCHIAL STATUS IN THAT YEAR. CHURCH OF ST MARY |
| CHURCH OF ST MARY |
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| IN 1955 WHEN THE CHURCH WAS RAISED TO PAROCHIAL STATUS IT WAS REDEDICATED TO ST MARY. ALTHOUGH SOME CONFUSION SURROUNDS THE CHURCH'S NAME CHANGE (SOME CLAIM THAT THE NAME WAS CHANGED WHEN THE CHURCH WAS MOVED IN 1915 BUT THE OFFICIAL CATHOLIC DIRECTORY LISTS IT AS ST JOSEPH'S UP TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARISH), IT IS AT LEAST CERTAIN THAT, AS THE PARISH CHURCH, IT WAS ALWAYS DEDICATED TO OUR LADY. WHATEVER THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE, THE OLD BUILDING SERVED AS PARISH CHURCH TILL REPLACED IN 1971. AFTER 1971 IT WAS CONVERTED FOR USE AS THE PARISH HALL. NEXT |
 | BELOW IS THE CHURCH BEFORE THE ADDITION OF THE ENCLOSED VERANDAH AND TO THE RIGHT THE CRAMPED REAR OF THE CHURCH SHOWING THE CHANCEL AND ITS THREE LIGHT EAST WINDOW. |
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| CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES | |
| CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES |  |
| THE PRESENT CATHOLIC CHURCH AT WAUCHOPE WAS DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM OF NOBLE AND BENNETT P/L AND CONSTRUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH THEN PREVAILING IDEAS ON THE LITURGY. THE DECISION WAS ALSO TAKEN AT THE TIME TO RE-DEDICATE THE NEW CHURCH TO ST MARY UNDER THE TITLE OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES. THE CHURCH WAS OPENED BY BISHOP SATTERTHWAITE OF LISMORE IN MAY 1976. THE CHURCH IS ASYMETRICAL COMPRISING A "NAVE" TO THE LEFT AND A SEPARATE BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL TO THE RIGHT. THE WALLS ARE OF BRICK WITH EXPOSED STEEL BEAMS SUPPORTING AN OPEN PATTERN ROOF WHICH IS MADE UP OF SEVERAL PLANES LEADING TO A SKYLIGHT RISING OVER THE SANCTUARY AREA TO PROVIDE LIGHT TO THE FOCAL AREA OF THE CHURCH. A SIMPLE CROSS ADORNS THE GABLE TO PROCLAIM THE CHURCH'S MISSION. BETWEEN THE TWO 'HALVES' OF THE CHURCH IS LOCATED AN ANGULAR PROTRUDING CONFESSIONAL. NEXT |
 | THE ARCHITECTS HAD A BRIEF TO COME UP WITH A DESIGN THAT WOULD 'EMBODY THE LITURGY AND PROMOTE PARTICIPATION OF THE LAITY' RESULTING IN A CHURCH THAT WAS INDEED 'SOMETHING DIFFERENT' AS IT WAS DESCRIBED BY THE THEN PARISH PRIEST, FR BERNARD KENNY, WITH MUCH THAT IS CERTAINLY UNIQUE. THE CHURCH IS VERY MUCH A PRODUCT OF ITS TIMES IN ITS ASYMETRIC ANGULARITY AND CONTRASTING ROOF PLANES BUILDING UP TO THE CLIFF-LIKE EAST END WHICH TOWERS OVER ITS SURROUNDINGS. THERE IS AN INTERESTING EFFECT IN THE CROSS-LIKE PATTERN OF THE EAST WINDOWS. THE GROUNDS CONTAIN A PRETTY ROCKERY AROUND A WELCOMING STATUE OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES (SEE ABOVE) PATRONESS OF THE CHURCH AND PARISH. NEXT |
 | THE ASYMETRY OF THE CHURCH DESIGN IS CLEARLY EVIDENT IN THIS SERIES OF PHOTOS FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES AROUND THE CHURCH. THE HISTORIC BELL,ONE OF THREE IMPORTED FROM FRANCE BY FR FILLODEAU AND NAMED 'MARIE JOSEPHINE' FOR HIS MOTHER, WAS RESTORED IN 1995 AND INSTALLED IN A STEEL-FRAME BELL TOWER. NEXT |
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 | THE LIGHT AND AIRY INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH IS DESIGNED SO THAT NO WORSHIPPER IS NO MORE THAN 1O METRES FROM THE ALTAR WHICH FORMS THE FOCUS OF THE CHURCH. TO THE RIGHT OF THE SANCTUARY IS AN UNUSUAL BAS-RELIEF IMAGE OF OUR LADY LOCATED ON THE WALL PILLAR. |
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| THE SANCTUARY OF THE CHURCH WAS RAISED TO ESTABLISH ITS SEPARATION AND IDENTITY. IT IS SIMPLY FURNISHED IN AN ARCHITECTURALLY MINIMALIST STYLE. THE ALTAR, THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CHURCH IS FREE-STANDING AT THE FRONT OF THE SANCTUARY FLANKED ON EITHER SIDE BY THE AMBO AND THE FONT. TO THE REAR OF THE ALTAR IS THE CENTRAL CELEBRANT'S CHAIR RAISED ON ITS OWN DAIS. A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE SANCTUARY IS THE CRUCIFIX DESIGNED BY PORT MACQUARIE ARTIST GARRY HILL. MADE OF COPPER AND INSPIRED BY THE WORDS OF A 1970's SONG LYRIC THE CRUCIFIX PORTRAYS AN AGONISING CHRIST IN THE PROCESS OF BEING NAILED TO A TREE. ANOTHER DEATURE OF THE SANCTUARY IS THE INCORPORATION OF A CROSS INTO THE WALL OF THE SANCTUARY THROUGH THE USE OF SMALL WINDOW BLOCKS OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT SIZES. NEXT |
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| IN HIS DESIGNING OF THE CRUCIFIX GARRY HILL FASHIONED A TREE IN THE SHAPE OF A CROSS TO WHICH THE CORPUS IS NAILED ONLY BY THE FEET, THUS PRESENTING A CHRIST WHO IS STILL LIVING WHILE YET PREPARING TO DIE FOR US. BELOW CAN BE SEEN ONE OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF NATIVE FLORA. |
 | IN CONTRAST WITH THE STRIKING MODERNITY OF THE CRUCIFIX ARE THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS FROM THE OLD CHURCH WHICH HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE NEW (BELOW). AN ADDED CONTRAST IS PROVIDED BY THE 'WINDOW CROSS' INCORPORATED INTO THE WALL ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE SCULPTURE (LEFT). |
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 | THE BODY OF THE CHURCH WAS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE PARTICIPATION OF THE LAITY AND SO THE SETING WAS ARRANGED IN A SEMI-CIRCULAR FASHION AROUND THE OPEN SANCTUARY. IT WAS INTENDED THAT NO WOSHIPPER WOULD BE MORE THAN EIGHT ROWS AWAY FROM THE FOCAL POINT OF THE HOLY MASS, THE RE-PRESENTATION OF THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST AT THE ALTAR. THE DECORATION OF THE 'NAVE' CONTINUES THE MINIMALIST STYLE OF THE SANCTUARY. APART FROM THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS THERE ARE TWO STATUES FROM THE OLD CHURCH, OUR LADY AND THE SACRED HEART (SEEN LEFT) AND A PAINTING OF ST PATRICK WHICH HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION TO THE NEW CHURCH. ANOTHER VERY UNUSUAL FEATURE IS THE ANGULAR RAISED CHOIR GALLERY LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE CHURCH. WHILE MAKING A BOW TO TRADITONAL CATHOLIC PRACTICE IT HAS IN THIS CASE BEEN EXPRESSED THROUGH A DISTINCTLY MODERN IDIOM. NEXT |
 | THREE MIGRANTS FROM OLD ST MARY'S CHURCH NOW HAPPILY ENSCONCED IN THEIR NEW HOME. THEY ARE OUR LADY (LEFT), ST PATRICK (HOLDING A SHAMROCK!) (BELOW) AND THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS (RIGHT). |  |
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| THE BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL IS ALSO ONE OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE CHURCH. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LITURGICAL TRENDS OF ITS TIME, IT WAS FELT APPROPRIATE THAT THE SACRAMENT WHOULD BE LOCATED IN A PLACE OF ITS OWN SET ASIDE FOR PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS. THE SOLUTION FOUND TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT WAS IN KEEPING WITH OTHER INNOVATIVE IDEAS USED IN THE CHURCH. THE CHAPEL IS LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH TO THE RIGHT OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE WITH A WIDE GLASS-FRONTED WALL TO ALLOW THE TABERNACLE TO BE EASILY SEEN BY THOSE VISITNG THE CHURCH. THE CHAPEL IN EFFECT FORMS A 'MINI-CHURCH' ATTACHED TO AND YET DISTINCT FROM THE MAIN CHURCH, WITH ITS OWN ENTRANCE AND SACRED SPACE. IT IS ALSO ACCESSABLE FROM INSIDE THE CHURCH VIA THE REAR OF THE NAVE. NEXT |
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THE CHAPEL HAS ITS OWN SEATING, SANCTUARY AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS ALTHOUGH IN THIS CASE THE STYLING IS MORE IN KEEPING WITH THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE BUILDING. IN MARKED CONTRAST THE CRUCIFIX IS REMINISCENT OF AN EARLIER ERA WITH ITS EMPHASIS ON A VISUALLY REALISTIC DEPICTION OF THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST ( LEFT ). THE LITTLE CHAPEL IS CAPABLE OF SEATING 32 PEOPLE AND IS SIMPLY FURNISHED WITH A FREE-STANDING TABLE ALTAR, PLAIN AMBO AND A CELEBRANT'S CHAIR. REMINDERS TO PRAY FOR VOCATIONS AND FOR THE DIOCESE RECALL THAT THIS IS FIRST A PLACE OF PRIVATE PRAYER EVEN IF USED FOR WEEKDAY MASSES. THE EAST WALL OF THE SANCTUARY IS COVERED WITH MAROON DRAPES WHICH ARE PARTED TO REVEAL THE AUMBREY-LIKE TABERNACLE SET INTO THE WALL. THE DOOR IS MARKED BY THE SYMBOLS OF THE EUCHARISTIC CHALICE AND HOST. NEXT |
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| TOP STATION CHURCHES | |
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| STATION CHURCHES | |
| BEECHWOOD | LONG FLAT |
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| CHURCH OF ST PATRICK, BEECHWOOD | |
 | THE VILLAGE OF BEECHWOOD LIES ACROSS THE HASTINGS RIVER FROM WAUCHOPE ON A RICH GRAZING LAND. ALTHOUGH ONE OF THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS IN THE AREA TODAY IT HAS EFFECTIVELY BECOME A QUIET OUTER RESIDENTIAL SUBURB FOR ITS MUCH LARGER NEIGHBOUR. BEECHWOOD WAS THE ORIGINAL CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR THE WAUCHOPE DISTRICT, BEING FOUNDED IN 1889 AS A STATION OF PORT MACQUARIE. THE GROWTH OF WAUCHOPE MADE IT THE LOGICAL CENTRE OF THE NEW PARISH WHEN IT WAS CREATED WITH BEECHWOOD AS A STATION. THE CONGREGATION DRAWS IN PEOPLE FROM PAPPINBARRA, BELLANGRY, BROMBIN AND GANNON'S CREEK AS WELL AS THE VILLAGE OF BEECHWOOD ITSELF. CHURCH HISTORY |
| FIRST CHURCH OF ST PATRICK |
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IN 1889 JUST A FEW YEARS AFTER THE ERECTION OF THE DIOCESE OF GRAFTON (NOW LISMORE) AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARISH OF PORT MACQUARIE THE PIONEERS OF BEECHWOOD BUILT A SIMPLE WOODEN CHURCH DEDICATED TO ST PATRICK TO SERVE THE LOCAL CATHOLICS. FOR EIGHTEEN YEARS ST PATRICK'S WAS THE SOLE CHURCH COVERING THE UPPER HASTINGS VALLEY UNTIL IN 1907 THE CHURCH AT WAUCHOPE WAS BUILT. FOR ANOTHER HALF CENTURY IT CONTINUED TO SERVE THE AREA ACROSS THE RIVER FROM WAUCHOPE BEING NOTED FOR ITS ANNUAL ST PATRICK'S AND CATHOLIC BALLS. IN 1957 AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW PARISH THE OLD CHURCH WAS DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW AND LARGER CHURCH AS A SIGN OF THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. SECOND CHURCH OF ST PATRICK |
 | SECOND CHURCH OF ST PATRICK |
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THE NEW CHURCH OF ST PATRICK WAS DESIGNED BY FOWELL, MANSFIELD AND MACLURCAN AND OPENED ON 18 AUGUST, 1957. BUILT OF BRICK AND DESCRIBED AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE LAST STAGE OF PRE-VATICAN II CHURCH DESIGN IT CONSISTS OF A THREE-BAY NAVE WITH A TALL DISTINCT CHANCEL, A BAPTISTRY, A CONFESSIONAL AND A PORCH. A STEEL EPISCOPAL CROSS MARKS THE SANCTUARY AND A SMALLER RAYED CROSS THE WEST END. THE CHURCH IS INDICATIVE OF THE MOVE TOWARDS A SIMPLIFIED STRUCTURE WITHIN THE TRADITIONAL FORMAT EVIDENT IN LATE PRE-VATICAN II CHURCHES . DECORATION IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM WITH ANGULAR LINES AND A LOW PITCHED ROOF DOMINATING THE APPEARANCE. JUST OUTSIDE THE PORCH ARE FOUR MEMORIAL PLAQUES DEDICATED TO DECEASED PARISHIONERS. NEXT |
| ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL FEATURES OF THE CHURCH IS THE CHANCEL. UNLIKE OLDER CHURCHES WHERE THE CHANCEL WAS A SMALLER EXTENSION OF THE NAVE THE CHANCEL OF ST PATRICK'S DOMINATES THE CHURCH RISING HIGH ABOVE THE CHANCEL WITH ITS CROSS PROJECTING WELL ABOVE THE GABLE. TWO EXTENSIONS ARE LOCATED OFF THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CHURCH, THE FIRST BEING THE 3-BAY CONFESSIONAL OFF THE NAVE AND THE SECOND THE SACRISTY OFF THE CHANCEL. THE RECTANGULAR LEADLIGHT WINDOWS ARE FILLED WITH AMBER GLASS. |
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| THE INTERIOR OF ST PATRICK'S REFLECTS THE SAME TRENDS AS THE EXTERIOR. DECORATION HAS BEEN KETO TO A MINIMUM WITH THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CHURCH BEING THE SANCTUARY. THE CHURCH IS OF SPECIAL INTEREST BECAUSE OF ITS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED STATE FOLLOWING THE REFORMS TO THE LITURGY AFTER VATICAN II. THE ONLY TWO CHANGES MADE OUTWARDLY WERE THE REMOVAL OF THE ALTAR RAILS AND THE INSTALLATION OF A TEMPORARY ALTAR FORWARD OF THE ORIGINAL HIGH ALTAR. IN RECENT YEARS AN OVERHEAD SCREEN AND PROJECTOR HAVE BEEN ADDED. UNLIKE IN MANY, INDEED THE MAJORITY OF CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE THE POST-VATICAN II ERA THE CHURCH RETAINS ITS TRADITIONAL BAPTISTRY AT THE WEST END OF THE BUILDING AS WELL AS ITS 3-DOOR CONFESSIONAL. THE CLEAN SIMPLE LINES OF THE CHURCH WITH ITS ATTRACTIVE FURNISHINGS MAKE ST PATRICK'S A TRUE GEM OF A BUILDING AND A TRIBUTE TO THE CHURCH AT A HIGH POINT OF ITS DEVELOPMENT. NEXT |  |
 | THE SOLE DECORATION IN THE SANCTUARY IS THE TALL TRIPARTITE REREDOS COMPOSED OF TWO WOODEN SIDE PANELS AND A CENTRAL PLASTER PANEL TO WHICH IS AFFIXED THE LARGE CRUCIFIX. THE CHURCH RETAINS THE ORIGINAL ALTAR CONSISTING OF A MONOLITHIC STONE MENSA WITH RED TILING AND A WROUGHT-IRON GRILLE ACROSS THE FRONT. |
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| TO THE LEFT OF THE ALTAR ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CHURCH IS LOCATED THE TRADITIONAL 3-DOOR CONFESSIONAL (BELOW) AND THE SIMPLE LADY SHRINE WITH THE STATUE OF OUR LADY MOUNTED ON THE WALL. ANOTHER STATUE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE OVERHEAD SCREEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE. NEXT |
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| UNDOUBTEDLY THE SPECIAL TREASURE OF THE CHURCH IS THE FULLY EQUIPPED INTACT BAPTISTRY AT THE WESTERN END OF THE CHURCH IN ITS WROUGHT IRON ENCLOSURE. |
 | THE FONT IS CONSTRUCTED OF STONE WITH A WAVE PATTERN ON THE BOWL AND AN ATTRACTIVE WOODEN COVER WITH A CROSS SERVING AS A HANDLE. |
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 ONE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS IN A SIMPLE FORMALISED STYLE REMINISCENT OF STAINED GLASS. | |
| TOP STATION CHURCHES LONG FLAT | ||
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| CHURCH OF ST PETER, LONG FLAT | |
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| THE VILLAGE OF LONG FLAT LIES ON THE OXLEY HIGHWAY WEST OF WAUCHOPE AMIDST THE RICH AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY OF THE UPPER HASTINGS VALLEY. LONG FLAT TODAY IS A TOURIST VILLAGE SERVICING DAY TRIPPERS AND THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC BETWEEN THE COAST AND THE MOUNTAINS. FROM THE EARLY 20th CENTURY LONG FLAT WAS A STATION OF PORT MACQUARIE UNTIL THE FOUNDATION OF WAUCHOPE WHEN IT WAS MADE A PART OF THE NEW PARISH. IT REMAINS AN ACTIVE STATION PROVIDING THE MASS CENTRE FOR THE UPPER HASTINGS AS FAR AS THE MOUNT SEAVIEW. NEXT | |
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| PRIOR TO 1930 MASS WAS CELEBRATED IN THE 'TRAVELLERS REST', PRIVATE HOMES OR THE LONG FLAT HALL. BY 1930 THE POPULATION HAD GROWN SUFFICIENTLY TO WARRANT A CHURCH AND THE PRETTY LITTLE CHURCH OF ST PETER WAS BUILT IN IN THAT YEAR. A SUBSTANTIAL CHURCH DESPITE ITS WOODEN CONSTRUCTION IT CONSISTS OF A NAVE, DISTINCT CHANCEL, WEST PORCH AND A LARGE SACRISTY WITH THE USUAL POINTED WINDOWS AND GABLE CROSSES. TYPICALLY OF A RURAL CHURCH IT HAS AN ATTRACTIVE FREE-STANDING BELLTOWER. THE BELL IS OF CONSIDERABLE HISTORICAL INTEREST BEING ONE OF THREE BROUGHT BY FR FILLODEAU FROM FRANCE. THIS ONE HE CHRISTENED 'MARY HENRY' NAMED AFTER THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF LONG FLAT'S LEADING PARISHIONERS. NEXT |
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 | THE SURPRISE OF ST PETER'S IS THE INTERIOR WHICH REFLECTS BOTH THE TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY OF ITS TIME AND A CONSIDERABLE AFFECTION FOR THEIR CHURCH ON THE PART OF THE LOCAL PARISHIONERS. THE SIMPLE NAVE IS GRACED WITH MORE PICTURES THAN ARE TO BE FOUND IN MANY PARISH CHURCHES, ESPECIALLY THE TWO OIL PAINTINGS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SANCTUARY (SEE BELOW) AS WELL AS SEVERAL PICTURES OF OUR LADY AND OUR LORD. STATUES OF OUR LADY (LEFT) AND ST JOSEPH (RIGHT) MARK THE FORMERLY OBLIGATORY SIDE ALTARS. A SPECIAL TREAT IS THE INTACT PRE-VATICAN II ALTAR PIECE. THE MENSA HAS BEEN MOVED FORWARD TO ACCOMODATE THE REFORMED MASS BUT THE RETABLE AND TABERNACLE REMAIN AS THEY WERE WHEN INSTALLED. THE SIMPLE DIGNITY OF THE SANCTUARY IS A TRUE BLESSING. NEXT |
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| THE DETAIL ON THE CARVED WOODEN ALTAR PIECE IS TYPICAL OF SMALL COUNTRY CHURCHES OF THE EARLY 1900's. |
 | BELOW IS ONE OF THE LARGE TRADITIONAL REALISTIC STATIONS OF THE CROSS WHICH DOMINATE THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH. |
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| TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CHURCH IS LOCATED A SHRINE TO OUR LADY FLANKED BY AN IMAGE OF THE DIVINE MERCY. ABOVE IT IS ONE OF THE TREASURES OF THE CHURCH, AN OIL PAINTING OF ST PETER DONATED BY MRS ROBERT HENRY, MOTHER OF MARY AFTER WHOM THE BELL WAS NAMED. NEXT |
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| TO THE RIGHT OF THE ALTAR ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CHURCH IS LOCATED THE SHRINE OF ST JOSEPH. HERE ARE ALSO LOCATED IMAGES OF THE SACRED HEART AND OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR. ABOVE THE STATUE OF ST JOSEPH IS THE SECOND TREASURE OF THE CHURCH, AN OIL PAINTING OF ST SOPHIE MADELEINE BARAT, ALSO DONATED BY MRS HENRY AND WHICH MAY HAVE COME FROM THE CLOSING OF THE CONVENTS IN FRANCE IN 1901, TO END BY GRACING THE WALLS OF A LITTLE RURAL CHURCH. TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES |
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| HISTORIC CHURCHES | |
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| BYABARRA | |
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| CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING, BYABARRA | |
 | THE SMALL VILLAGE OF BYABARRA LIES JUST OFF THE OXLEY HIGHWAY ABOUT 10KM FROM LONG FLAT IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE COMBOYNE PLATEAU. IT HAD BEEN A STATION OF PORT MACQUARIE FROM THE THE 1930's UNTIL IT BECAME A PART OF WAUCHOPE PARISH IN 1955. FOR MANY YEARS THE CATHOLICS OF BYABARRA HAD WORKED TO HAVE A CHURCH OF THEIR OWN AND THIS WAS FINALLY ACHIEVED WHEN THE WAR MEMORIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING, A SIMPLE HALL LIKE STRUCTURE IN MODERN MATERIALS, WAS AT LAST OPENED IN 1960. SADLY THE POPULATION DECLINED AND AFTER TEN YEARS THE CHURCH WAS NO LONGER VIABLE. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MOVED TO LAKE CATHIE WHERE MUCH ALTERED IT IS STILL USED AS A CHURCH TODAY. |
| TOP HISTORIC CHURCHES OTHER BUILDINGS | |
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| OTHER BUILDINGS | |||
| THE PARISH OF WAUCHOPE WAS SERVED BY A CONVENT AND SCHOOL EVEN BEFORE IT BECAME A PARISH, A SIGN OF ITS IMPORTANCE AS A SERVICE CENTRE. WHEN IT BECAME A PARISH IN 1955, A PRESBYTERY WAS BUILT FOR THE PARISH PRIEST WHICH IN TURN WAS REPLACED IN 1981 BY A NEW PARISH OFFICE / PRESBYTERY. THE PARISH GAINED A PARISH HALL WHEN THE NEW CHURCH WAS BUILT AND THE OLD CHURCH WAS CONVERTED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IN 1978 THE WAUCHOPE CONFERENCE OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL OPENED RETAIL CENTRE IN CAMERON ST. THIS BUILDING WAS RECENTLY DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW RETAIL SHOP AND CONFERENCE MEETING ROOM. | |||
| WAUCHOPE PRESBYTERIES | WAUCHOPE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY | ||
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| PRESBYTERIES, WAUCHOPE | |
 | THE ORIGINAL PRESBYTERY WAS BUILT IN 1955 WHEN WAUCHOPE BECAME A PARISH. IT WAS A GRACIOUS COLONIAL STYLE HOUSE WITH A BOW WINDOW AND WIDE VERANDAH AND CLEARLY MARKED AS A RELIGIOUS BUILDING BY ITS ROOF AND PORCH CROSSES (BELOW LEFT). FOLLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CHURCH IN 1976 AND CHANGES TO PARISH STRUCTURES THOUGHT WAS GIVEN TO BUILDING A COMBINED PARISH OFFICE AND PRESBYTERY. IN 1981 THE NEW PERSBYTERY / PARISH OFFICE WAS OPENED ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER PRESBYTERY (LEFT AND BELOW RIGHT). THE BUILDING IS DEDICATED TO MARY THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN, MOTHER OF GOD, OUR LADY OF LOURDES AND CONTAINS LIVING QUARTERS FOR THE PARISH PRIEST AND THE HOUSEKEEPER AS WELL AS THE PARISH OFFICE. NEXT |
| THE ELEGANT COLONIAL STYLE ORIGINAL PRESBYTERY OF 1955 | THE PRESENT PRESBYTERY WITH THE PARISH OFFICE. |
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| TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY | |
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| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, WAUCHOPE | |
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| THE WAUCHOPE ST VINCENT DE PAUL CONFERENCE WAS ESTABLISHED WHEN THE TOWN WAS STILL A STATION OF PORT MACQUARIE. IN 1978 THE WAUCHOPE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY PURCHASED THE OLD BAKERY IN CAMERON ST AND CONVERTED IT INTO A RETAIL OUTLET AND SERVICE CENTRE ( BELOW LEFT ). BY 2005 THE SOCIETY DECIDED A MORE COMMODIUS CENTRE WAS REQUIRED AND THE OLD BUILDING WAS REPLACED BY ONE WITH BETTER FACILITIES AND ITS OWN CONFERENCE MEETING ROOM ( ABOVE AND BELOW RIGHT ). NEXT | |
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| TOP STATION CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES OTHER BUILDINGS RELIGIOUS ORDERS PARISH DIRECTORY | |
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| RELIGIOUS ORDERS |
| SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH LOCHINVAR CONGREGATION |
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| RELIGIOUS INSTITUTES |
| ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL WAUCHOPE |
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| PARISH DIRECTORY | |
| PARISH CHURCH 1 KING ST WAUCHOPE 2446 POST: PO BOX 63 WAUCHOPE 2446 PHONE: (02) 6585 1464 FAX: (02) 6585 2864 EMAIL: pgooley@midcoast.com.au | PRIMARY SCHOOL ST JOSEPH'S PRIMARY SCHOOL AVONDALE ST WAUCHOPE 2446 POST: PO BOX 9 WAUCHOPE 2446 PHONE: (02) 6585 1745 FAX: (02) 6585 2867 EMAIL: sjpwauch@lism.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: sjpwauch.lism.catholic.edu.au |
| STATION CHURCHES ST PATRICK BEECHWOOD MAIN ST BEECHWOOD ST PETER LONG FLAT OXLEY HIGHWAY LONG FLAT | OTHER SERVICES ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY 40 CAMERON ST WAUCHOPE PHONE: (02) 6585 1963 |
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| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
| SOME OF THE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE WERE OBTAINED FROM THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET PRODUCED BY THE PARISH OF WAUCHOPE IN 2005. IT IS HERE ACKNOWLEDGED WITH GRATITUDE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ESPECIALLY THANK SR MARGARET GEATCHES, ARCHIVIST OF THE LOCHINVAR SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH WHO PROVIDED FURTHER PHOTOS AND INFORMATION, AND THE PARISH SECRETARY TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL PARISHIONERS WHOSE HELP WAS INVALUABLE. |
