Wonthaggi, VIC - St Joseph's Catholic

Year Built: 1977

Denomination: Roman Catholic

Saint: Joseph

Address: Dowling Street, Wonthaggi, Victoria, 3995

Architect: A.A. Klimas B. Arch

Traditional Owners: Bunurong people

Last Updated: 24/01/2023

See Street View

Send your photos

Click on the image to view larger


History and Architecture:

The first Catholic Church in what is now the Parish of Wonthaggi was built on land near the junction of Heslop's Road and the main road to Melbourne. Prior to this priests would travel from Dandenong to say mass and minister to Catholic settlers in homes or other shelters. In 1911 plans were produced for the first church by Mr C.J. Rice of Melbourne. Tenders were then called and a building of cruciform shape capable of seating 600 persons was commenced. It was to be built of fibrous cement and it was estimated to cost £ 1,000. Seats and furniture would cost about £150 more.

In December 1968 when the State Coal Mine closed the Mine Manager's residence, a solid brick mansion with a big park surrounding it came up for sale. The Catholic community purchased it at auction for $35,000.

Opened on 11 December 1977 by the Most Reverend A.F. Fox D.D. Bishop of Sale. The Architect was A.A. Klimas B. Arch and the Builder was Coldon Homes Pty Ltd.

The current Church design, is based along designs laid down by the Pastoral Directory of the Episcopal Liturgical Commission of Ireland, 'Building and Re-Organisation of Churches'.

Clergy:

This list may not contain every serving cleric, past or present, for this church.
Further submissions welcomed.

Years Name Annotation D.o.B D.o.D
1911 - 1917 Father T. F. O'Sullivan 1962
1917 - 1922 Father G. Walsh
1922 - 1929 Father M. Galvin
1929 - 1936 Father L. Hartnett 1970
1936 - 1939 Father P. Gleeson
1939 - 1948 Father E. Murtagh 1953
1950 - 1956 Father Ryan 1956
1956 - 1961 Father Gerard J. O'Callaghan 2004
1961 - Father G. Todd
1961 - 1967 Father W. G. O'Regan
1972 - 1994 Father Matthew White
1994 - Father John Davine
2010 - Father Manny Lomagno

Organ:

No information currently available. Submissions welcomed.

Source:

1. Centenary St Joseph's Parish Wongthaggi 1911 - 2011 A Brief History text by Sam Gatto & Joan Brusamarello