Site 53 St Augustines Catholic Church

23 Sands Avenue

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In the years prior to 1917 Mass was celebrated in the Mechanics Institute by Priests from Nhill.

When sufficient funds allowed the weatherboard Catholic Church at Lillimur was dismantled and transported by rail in December 1917 by Father Daly, and was reopened as St Augustine's in Jeparit on the 8th January, 1918. The contractor for the removal was Mick Kenealy. In 1933 the electric light was installed and an organ was purchased for seven pounds, ten shillings.

Collection plates were used for the first time on the 28th July, 1935, and the statues were blessed by Father McGrath on the 4th April, 1936. Purple vestments were presented to the church and were first used on 28th November, 1937.

After using the building for over 40 years funds were raised to replace the building. A new Catholic Church costing 7000 pounds was opened and blessed on the 29th of November, 1959 by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Ballarat, Right Rev Monsignor L Conway, with approximately 350 people in attendance. The solid brick building had a marble altar, red and grey vinyl-tiled floor, wrought-iron altar rail, and red altar carpet. The stations of the Cross were hung by Mr J. M. Gloury.

Mass for the closure of St Augustine's Church Jeparit was held on Sunday, 28th October, 2018, led by Father Peter Hudson. The organ and the Baptismal Font were donated to the Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum, Jeparit after the closure by the members of the Church.

Disclaimer: All information contained on these pages has been prepared over years of research from a small local volunteer group. The information is correct to the best of our knowledge. We always welcome suggestions for corrections or further information to add to the heritage sites. Please forward any comments toinfo@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.