PARISH OF ALL SAINTS

BLACKBUTT SOUTH

FOUNDED

2006

DIOCESE

MAITLAND-NEWCASTLE

PARISH	PARISH CHURCHES	HISTORIC CHURCHES
OTHER BUILDINGS	RELIGIOUS ORDERS	PARISH DIRECTORY

PARISH OF ALL SAINTS
THE PARISH OF ALL SAINTS WAS FORMED IN 2006 BY COMBINING THE FORMER PARISHES OF ADAMSTOWN (1925), CARDIFF (1939) AND KOTARA SOUTH (1963). AS NEWCASTLE SPREAD SOUTH IN SEARCH OF NEW COAL SEAMS THE POPULATION WEST OF THE RIDGE GREW ALSO. ADAMSTOWN BECAME A STATION OF HAMILTON IN THE 1890's AND WAS MADE A PARISH IN 1925 WITH RESPONSIBILITY STRETCHING ACROSS TO GATESHEAD. CARDIFF WAS A STATION OF LAMBTON BUT WAS DETACHED AS A SEPARATE PARISH IN 1939.		AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR THE AREA TO THE SOUTH-WEST OF ADAMSTOWN BEGAN TO DEVELOP AS A RESIDENTIAL AREA. IN 1963 THIS AREA NOW KNOWN AS KOTARA SOUTH WAS DETACHED FROM NEW LAMBTON TO BECOME A SEPARATE PARISH. IN THE LATE 1990's THE PARISHES OF CARDIFF AND KOTARA WERE TWINNED, WITH ADAMSTOWN ADDED LATER. IN 2006 A NEW PARISH WAS CREATED BY JOINING THE AREA OF ALL THREE FORMER PARISHES. THE PARISH THEN TOOK THE NAME OF ALL SAINTS.

PARISH CHURCHES
ADAMSTOWN	CARDIFF	KOTARA SOUTH

PARISH CHURCH OF ST COLUMBA, ADAMSTOWN

PARISH	HISTORY	CHURCH

	PARISH
	AS NEWCASTLE GREW INTO A MAJOR CITY NEW SUBURBS OPENED UP TO THE WEST AND SOUTH TO ACCOMODATE THE POPULATION. ADAMSTOWN, TO THE SOUTH-WEST WAS ONE SUCH SUBURB. TODAY IT IS A MAJOR RESIDENTIAL AREA AND COMMERCIAL HUB WITHIN GREATER NEWCASTLE. ADAMSTOWN WAS ORIGINALLY PART OF HAMILTON (1884-91) AND LATER (1891-1925) BURWOOD (MEREWETHER) PARISHES. IT WAS WHILE PART OF THE LATTER THAT A LOCAL STATION CHURCH / SCHOOL WAS FIRST BUILT. IN 1925 ADAMSTOWN WAS DECLARED A PARISH IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
	FIRST CHURCH OF ST COLUMBA
	AROUND 1890 AS PART OF DR MURRAY'S PLANS TO EXPAND CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN HIS DIOCESE OF MAITLAND, A WOODEN CHURCH / SCHOOL WAS OPENED AT ADAMSTOWN AND STAFFED BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY FROM HAMILTON. THE CHURCH WAS SERVED BY THE PRIEST FROM BURWOOD PARISH WITHIN WHOSE BOUNDARIES IT LAY. IN 1899 A SEVERE WINDSTORM SWEPT THROUGH THE SUBURB AND DESTROYED THE BUILDING COMPLETELY, KILLING A SMALL CHILD (SEE BELOW). SECOND CHURCH


THE REMAINS OF THE FIRST CHURCH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM THAT DESTROYED IT. NOTE THE SACRISTY STILL STANDING.

SECOND CHURCH OF ST COLUMBA

THE SECOND CHURCH DEDICATED TO THE GREAT MONASTIC SAINT, COLUMBA OF IONA, WAS BUILT IN 1900 TO REPLACE THE WOODEN ONE DESTROYED IN 1899. LIKE ITS PREDECESSOR IT WAS BUILT AS A CHURCH / SCHOOL. IN STYLE IT WAS LIKE MANY NEWCASTLE CHURCHES OF THE TIME, BEING BASICALLY A NAVE WHICH COULD BE CONVERTED INTO CLASSROOMS DURING THE WEEK BY SCREENING OFF THE SANCTUARY, A SACRISTY AND A PORCH. TO AVOID FURTHER DESTRUCTION THE NEW CHURCH WAS BUILT OF BRICK (SEE BELOW). IT WAS LATER EXTENDED WHEN IT BECAME THE PARISH CHURCH 25 YEARS LATER AND SERVED THE PARISHIONERS OF ADAMSTOWN FAITHFULLY UNTIL THE 1960's. ON COMPLETION OF THE NEW CHURCH THE STURDY OLD BUILDING WAS PUT TO USE AS THE PARISH HALL.

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THIRD CHURCH

THIRD CHURCH OF ST COLUMBA

BY THE LATE 50's THE POPULATION HAD OUTGROWN THE ORIGINAL SMALL CHURCH AND PLANS WERE MADE TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH.

BUILT ON THE CUSP OF THE GREAT CHANGES THAT FLOWED FROM VATICAN II IT REFLECTS BOTH THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF MODERN ARCHITECTURAL IDEAS AND THE TRADITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC LITURGY.

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS FORCEFULLY PROCLAIMED FROM THE OUTSET THROUGH THE LARGE ROOF CROSSES WHILE OVER THE ENTRANCE STANDS A STATUE OF THE PATRON SAINT ABOVE THE NAME OF THE CHURCH.

ATTRACTIVE GARDEN BORDERS AND TREES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO HELP TO SOFTEN THE LINES OF THE CHURCH WITHOUT DISTRACTING FROM ITS POWERFUL AND DOMINATING FORM.

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THE MIXTURE OF MODERN DESIGN AND TRADITIONAL NEEDS IS VERY EVIDENT IN THE BASIC STRUCTURE. ESSENTIALLY IT IS A LONG HIGH HALL DIVIDED INTERNALLY INTO A NAVE, NARTHEX, AND CHANCEL, CORRESPONDING TO THE MORE TRADITIONAL DIVISIONS BUT WITHOUT ANY OF THE EXTERNAL MARKERS OF THOSE STYLES.

THE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS ARE ALSO MODERN WITH LONG NARROW ROOF-TO-GROUND WINDOWS, A SHALLOW ENTRANCE PORCH WITH SIMPLE METAL SIDE PANELS AND A BLOCKY ANGULAR LOOK. THE USE OF DECORATIVE WHITE PRE-CAST CONCRETE BLOCKS IN THE SIDE PANELS IS A TYPICAL 60's TOUCH.

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THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH IS OPEN AND AIRY IN KEEPING WITH THE MODERN STYLE. THE NEW LITURGICAL IDEAS WERE EASILY INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN WITH A MINIMAL NEED FOR RE-ORGANISATION. THE SANCTUARY HAS BEEN OPENED UP AND THE ALTAR PLACED FORWARD OF THE WALL. THE TABERNACLE OCCUPIES ITS PROPER PLACE IN THE CENTRE OF THE REREDOS.

A PLAIN BUT ATTRACTIVE SANDSTONE REREDOS RISES TO A BALDACHINO JUST BELOW THE ROOF AND A POWERFUL CRUCIFIX DOMINATES THE WHOLE AREA. STATUES OF OUR LADY AND THE SACRED HEART ARE MOUNTED HIGH ON THE WALLS ON EACH SIDE OF THE SANCTUARY.

A PLAIN STONE TABLE-LIKE ALTAR STANDS PROMINENTLY WITHIN THE SANCTUARY, WITH A SIMPLE WOODEN AMBO TO ONE SIDE AND CELEBRANT'S CHAIR TO THE OTHER. THE SANCTUARY ITSELF IS FLOODED WITH LIGHT FROM THE LARGE WINDOWS ON EACH SIDE.

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THE MAGNIFICENT CRUCIFIX >>>> THE STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY. vvv		THE STATUE OF OUR LADY HOLDING THE INFANT JESUS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT OF THE SANCTUARY. vvv

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ON THE LITURGICAL NORTH SIDE OF THE NAVE IS THE ATTRACTIVE MARIAN SHRINE WITH ITS LOVELY MARBLE ALTAR AND IMAGES OF OUR LADY TOGETHER WITH THE MEMORARE PRAYER. NEXT

	<<<< THE MODERN TRANSPARENT GLASS FONT MATCHING THE FONT IN ST PHILIP'S. >>>> THE LOVELY POLISHED WOOD VOTIVE SHRINE TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP. ONE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. vvvv

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ST JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF OUR LORD.	OUR LADY OF FATIMA.	ST THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS.

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THE ROOMY NAVE LOOKING WEST SHOWING THE GALLERY AND NARTHEX BELOW THE BROAD WEST WINDOWS (RIGHT). A RATHER UNUSUAL FEATURE OF THE CHURCH IS THE FOUNDATION STONE (BELOW) WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE NARTHEX INSTEAD OF THE OUTER WALL WHICH IS WHERE ONE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO FIND IT. TOP PARISH CHURCHES CARDIFF

PARISH CHURCH OF ST KEVIN, CARDIFF

PARISH	HISTORY	CHURCH

	PARISH
	THE SUBURB OF CARDIFF WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS WINDING CREEK AND WAS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS FRUIT AND MARKET GARDENS. FOR A SHORT PERIOD IT BECAME A MINING COMMUNITY AND WAS THEN KNOWN AS LYMINGTON AFTER THE MINE. IN 1891 OVER HALF THE RESIDENTS WERE EMPLOYED BY THE MINING COMPANY. THE NAME WAS CHANGED TO CARDIFF IN 1889. ALTHOUGH CARDIFF SOON MOVED ON TO BECOME A BUSY COMMERCIAL CENTRE IT HAS NEVER QUITE LOST THE WORKING CLASS AIR OF ITS MINING PRE-HISTORY. CARDIFF WAS ORIGINALLY A STATION OF THE HUGE LAMBTON PARISH AND IT WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT THE SCHOOL AND CHURCH WERE ESTABLISHED. IN 1939 CARDIFF ALONG WITH KOTARA WAS DETACHED AND BECAME A NEW PARISH. BY 2002 THE SHORTAGE IN PRIESTLY NUMBERS FORCED THE TWINNING OF CARDIFF WITH KOTARA SOUTH AND LATER ADAMSTOWN AND IN 2006 IT BECAME PART OF THE AMALGAMATED PARISH OF ALL SAINTS.
	FIRST CHURCH OF ST KEVIN
	THE FIRST CHURCH OF ST KEVIN AT CARDIFF WAS THE WORK OF FR JAMES FLYNN, PP OF LAMBTON. IT WAS LOCATED IN NEWCASTLE STREET AND LITTLE IS KNOWN OF IT OTHER THAN THAT IT WAS CONSTRUCTED OF WOOD AND CAPABLE OF SEATING 200 PEOPLE. AS WAS USUAL AT THE TIME IT DOUBLED AS THE SCHOOL. IT WAS EXTENDED IN 1917 BUT WAS STILL CONSIDERED TOO SMALL AND WAS REPLACED BY A NEW CHURCH IN 1927. FOR MANY YEARS AFTER IT WAS USED AS THE PARISH SCHOOL UNTIL IT WAS BURNT DOWN IN 1942.
SECOND CHURCH

SECOND CHURCH OF ST KEVIN

THE PRESENT PARISH CHURCH OF ST KEVIN WAS COMMENCED IN 1927 AND OPENED IN 1928. IT WAS SITED ON MAIN ROAD, CARDIFF HEIGHTS AND WAS DESCRIBED AT THE TIME AS A SUBSTANTIAL BRICK BUILDING WITH TILED ROOF. IT COMPRISED A NAVE, CHANCEL AND SACRISTY AND AS WAS COMMON WITH CHURCHES IN THOSE TIMES WAS BUILT WITH A TEMPORARY WEST WALL TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.

THIS 'SUBSTANTIAL BRICK CHURCH' BECAME THE PARISH CHURCH OF CARDIFF IN 1939 AND HAS SERVED THE PEOPLE OF THAT PLACE FAITHFULY FOR NEARLY EIGHTY YEARS. TODAY ITS ANGULAR LINES SOFTENED BY A SCREEN OF MATURE TREES IT CONTINUES TO WATCH OVER THE SUBURB BELOW AS IT HAS THROUGH ALL THE CHANGES OF THE LAST CENTURY.

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^^^^ THE CHURCH AROUND THE TIME OF ITS OPENING SHOWING THE CLEAN LINES OF THE CHURCH. THE TEMPORARY WOODEN WEST WALL WHICH IS STILL IN PLACE AFTER 78 YEARS OF SERVICE >>>>.
SECOND CHURCH

	>>>> THE COLOMBARIUM - A LATE 20th CENTURY ADDITION TO FULFILL THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH GRAVEYARD. THE APSIDAL CHANCEL WITH ITS RECENTLY ADDED MODERN GLASS WINDOWS ALONG WITH ANOTHER VIEW OF THE COLOMBARIUM <<<<
	vv THE NAVE AND MAIN ENTRANCE WITH THE SACRISTY AT BACK vv. NEXT

THE INTERIOR OF ST KEVIN'S, HERE BEING PREPARED FOR MASS, REFLECTS BOTH THE SIMPLICITY OF THE CHURCH DESIGN AND THE DEVOTION OF THE CONGREGATION TO BEAUTIFYING THEIR CHURCH AS THE GOD'S CONSECRATED HOUSE.

THE CENTRAL FOCUS IS TOWARDS THE SANCTUARY. CENTRAL TO THE SANCTUARY IS THE DOMINATING CRUCIFIX AND THE SIMPLE MARBLE ALTAR. BENEATH THE CRUCIFIX IS THE TABERNACLE FLANKED BY THE TWO STAINED GLASS WINDOWS.

OUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY IS THE LADY SHRINE TO THE RIGHT AND THE BAPTISMAL AREA TO THE LEFT. PRIOR TO VATICAN II THE SANCTUARY WAS MORE ORNATE AS CAN BE SEEN IN A COMPARISON OF THE TWO PHOTOS BELOW.

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^^^^ THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH PRIOR TO VATICAN II SHOWING THE HIGH ALTAR AND TWO SIDE ALTARS. THE PRESENT SANCTUARY WITH ITS VASTLY SIMPLIFIED YET ELEGANT FURNISHINGS >>>>. NEXT

THE LOVELY MARBLE TABLE ALTAR INSTALLED IN THE 1970's.	THE BAPTISTRY AREA AND AMBO TO THE LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY.

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THE LEFT HAND CHANCEL WINDOW.	THE CRUCIFIX AND TABERNACLE.	THE RIGHT HAND LADY WINDOW.

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	<< THE STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART WHICH HAS NOW BEEN RELOCATED TO THE BODY OF THE NAVE, AND OUR LADY OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT ON THE RIGHT >>>>. NEXT

THE CHURCH HAS SEEN MANY CHANGES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS. AMONG THESE CHANGES HAS BEEN THE ADDITION OF SEVERAL MODERN STAINED GLASS WINDOWS TO THE BODY OF THE NAVE. BELOW ARE SEEN TWO OF THESE WINDOWS THE ONE ON THE LEFT REPRESENTING OUR LADY SIGNIFIED BY THE BLUE VEIL AND THE ONE ON THE RIGHT THE HOLY EUCHARIST.			<<<< THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS ARE THE ORIGINAL SET FROM THE CHURCH AND REFLECT AN OLDER TRADITION. THE EASTER CROSS IS A TRADITION OF THE CHURCH AND IS SEEN HERE DECORATED FOR THE RESURRECTION.

CARDIFF CENTENARY

ON 4 NOVEMBER 2006 CARDIFF CELEBRATED ITS CENTENARY AND THE CHURCH WAS FORMALLY CONSECRATED BY BISHOP MALONE.

TOP PARISH CHURCHES KOTARA SOUTH

PARISH CHURCH OF ST PHILIP, KOTARA SOUTH

PARISH	HISTORY	CHURCH

PARISH

IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD NEWCASTLE EXPERIENCED A POPULATION BOOM AS A RESULT OF WHICH THE CITY GRADUALLY LOST ITS GRIMY INDUSTRIAL CHARACTER AND BECAME A BUSTLING RESIDENTIAL TOWN. ONE SIGNIFICANT MARKER OF THIS TREND WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESIDENTIAL CORRIDOR RUNNING SOUTH-WEST FROM NEW LAMBTON TO THE WATERSIDE SUBURBS OF LAKE MACQUARIE. AMONG THESE WERE KOTARA SOUTH AND THE BUCOLICALLY NAMED GARDEN SUBURB. UNLIKE THE OLD INDUSTRIAL AND MINING SUBURBS THESE WERE NOTED FOR THEIR QUARTER-ACRE BLOCKS AND PRESERVED BUSHLAND MAKING THEM ATTRACTIVE PLACES FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF YOUNG FAMILIES MAKING NEWCASTLE THEIR HOME.

IN 1961 THE CHURCH RESPONDED TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF YOUNG FAMILIES IN THE AREA BY OPENING ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL, GARDEN SUBURB. TWO YEARS LATER KOTARA SOUTH WAS DECLARED A PARISH AND A PARISH INFRASTRUCTURE PUT IN PLACE. THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE SUBURB SAW SEVERAL CHANGES OVER THE NEXT THIRTY YEARS IN RESPONSE TO THIS EXPANSION. BY THE LATE 1990's HOWEVER THE DECLINE IN PRIESTLY VOCATIONS HAD LED TO THE PARISH BEING TWINNED FIRST WITH CARDIFF AND LATER WITH ADAMSTOWN. IN NOVEMBER 2006 THESE THREE FORMER PARISHES FORMED THE PARISH OF ALL SAINTS BLACKBUTT SOUTH.

FIRST CHURCH

FIRST CHURCH OF ST PHILIP

MASS IN KOTARA SOUTH WAS INITIALLY HELD IN THE EARLY 60's IN THE KOTARA PROGRESS HALL AND LATER AT THE KINSELLA HOME IN GARDEN SUBURB. WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARISH A CHURCH BECAME ESSENTIAL AND ACCORDINGLY IN 1963 A FORMER MINER'S BATHHOUSE WAS OBTAINED FROM THE NEARBY RASBERRY GULLY COAL MINE AND ERECTED IN GRAYSON AVENUE. WITH A NEW FACADE THIS SIMPLE BUILDING BECAME THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST PHILIP THE APOSTLE. IT WAS A PLAIN HALL-TYPE BUILDING WITH A GLASSED FACADE AND A HIGH CROSS MOUNTED OVER THE GABLE.

THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE SUBURB RENDERED THE LITTLE CHURCH INSUFFICIENT WITHIN A DECADE AND PLANS WERE SOON UNDERWAY FOR A PURPOSE BUILT CHURCH ON A NEW SITE IN VISTA PARADE FORMERLY OWNED BY THE MINING COMPANY. WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW CHURCH IN 1976 THE FORMER CHURCH AND ITS SITE WERE SOLD AND THE CHURCH LATER DEMOLISHED.

SECOND CHURCH

SECOND CHURCH OF ST PHILIP

THE PRESENT PARISH CHURCH OF ST PHILIP WAS PURPOSE-BUILT ON THE VISTA PARADE SITE IN 1976 ALONG WITH A NEW PRESBYTERY AND SCHOOL.THE CHURCH IS TYPICAL OF THE 1970's STYLE OF CHURCH INSPIRED BY THE CONCEPT OF INCLUSIVENESS INHERENT IN THE NEW LITURGY. THE BUILDING IS A LOW-KEY STRUCTURE FORMING A COMPLEX COMPRISING THE CHURCH ITSELF TOGETHER WITH THE PARISH ROOMS. THE MAIN BODY IS A NON-HEIRARCHICAL SQUARE WITHOUT ARCHITECTURALLY DISTINCT SPACES SET AMONG TREE-STUDDED GROUNDS. A SLIM NEEDLE-LIKE SPIRE ATOP THE RAISED CENTRAL SKYLIGHT SERVES TO MARK THE BUILDING'S PURPOSE. A GRANITE COLUMBARIUM HAS BEEN ERECTED AT THE REAR OF THE CHURCH - A MODERN VERSION OF THE OLD CHURCH GRAVEYARD. NEXT

IN KEEPING WITH POST-VATICAN II LITURGICAL PRINCIPLES THE INTERIOR CONSISTS OF A SINGLE WORSHIP SPACE ENCLOSING A SPARTAN OPEN-PLAN AND THUS EASILY ACCESSIBLE SANCTUARY. THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH IS DOMINATED BY THE LARGE SKYLIGHT THROUGH WHICH SUNLIGHT FLOODS INTO THE 'NAVE' THROUGH FOUR SIDES. PLAIN CHAIRS ARE USED FOR SEATING AND THE FLOOR SLOPES DOWN SLIGHTLY TOWARDS THE SANCTUARY PROVIDING FOR ALL WORSHIPPERS TO HAVE VISUAL ACCESS TO THE HOLY OF HOLIES.

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THE SANCTUARY IS DOMINATED BY THE SIMPLE TABLE-LIKE ALTAR WITH ITS FLANKING STANDARD CANDLES. AN UNUSUAL TRANSPARENT GLASS FONT AND THE AUMBREY-STYLE TABERNACLE ARE TO THE LEFT, THE CELEBRANT'S CHAIR AT THE REAR, AND THE AMBO TO THE RIGHT. AT THE FAR RIGHT, PAST THE CARVED WOODEN STATUE OF OUR LADY IS THE CRUCIFIX ABOVE THE BIBLE.

A WOODEN STATUE OF ST PHILIP IN THE SAME STYLE AS THAT OF OUR LADY WAS AT ONE TIME LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE CHURCH BUT THIS HAS RECENTLY BEEN MOVED TO A PLACE NEXT TO THE SANCTUARY ON THE TABERNACLE SIDE.

THE EASTERN WALL IS BARE APART FROM A SINGLE BANNER IN THE LITURGICAL COLOUR OF THE SEASON. ADDITIONALLY ST PHILIP'S IS ONE OF THE FEW CATHOLIC CHURCHES TO RETAIN THE TRADITION OF A SEASONAL ALTAR FRONTAL.

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ABOVE LEFT CAN BE SEEN THE PLAIN TABLE-ALTAR WITH ITS GREEN SEASONAL FRONTAL REPRESENTING THE SUNDAYS IN ORDINARY TIME. ABOVE CENTRE IS ONE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. UNLIKE MANY MODERN CHURCHES THE PARISH HAS A SET WHICH IS BOTH VISUALLY INTERESTING YET WHICH BLENDS HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE GENERAL DECORATIVE SCHEME OF THE CHURCH. TO THE RIGHT IS THE CRUCIFIX LOCATED UNUSUALLY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SANCTUARY SPACE SIMILAR TO THE OLD FASHIONED DEVOTIONAL CRUCIFIXES SO COMMON IN PRE-VATICAN II CHURCHES. NEXT

THE AUMBREY-STYLE TABERNACLE.	THE UNUSUAL TRANSPARENT GLASS FONT.	THE POLISHED WOOD STATUE OF OUR LADY.

TOP PARISH CHURCHES HISTORIC CHURCHES

HISTORIC CHURCHES

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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.

GARDEN SUBURB

CHURCH OF ST JAMES, GARDEN SUBURB

THE POST-WAR PERIOD WAS A TIME OF NEW GROWTH BOTH DEMOGRAPHICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA. IN RESPONSE NEW SUBURBS MUSHROOMED AND NUMEROUS STATION CHURCHES WERE OPENED TO CATER FOR THEM AS PRIESTS WERE STILL EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO THEIR PEOPLE. GARDEN SUBURB WAS ONE SUCH SUBURB, AN AREA OF YOUNG FAMILIES AND COMMUTERS AND ACCORDINGLY NEW LAMBTON, THE PARISH AT THAT TIME RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA, DECIDED TO OPEN A SCHOOL AND CHURCH THERE IN 1961. THE NEW SCHOOL COMPRISED BUILDINGS FROM THE FORMER CAMP HOSPITAL AT GRETA, ONE OF WHICH WAS SET ASIDE AS THE CHURCH. COMPLETED BY EASTER 1961, THE FIRST MASS IN THE NEW CHURCH WAS ON EASTER SUNDAY OF THAT YEAR. IN 1962 THE PARISH OF ST PHILIP AND ST JAMES KOTARA SOUTH WAS FORMED AND IN 1963 THE NEW CHURCH OF ST PHILIP WAS OPENED. THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO CHURCHES MADE THE SMALLER ONE AT GARDEN SUBURB REDUNDANT AND GRADUALLY MASSES CEASED TO BE SAID THERE. THE CHURCH WAS DEMOLISHED ALONG WITH THE SCHOOL WHEN THE SITE WAS REDEVELOPED AS A PRIVATE AGED CARE FACILITY.

TOP HISTORIC CHURCHES OTHER BUILDINGS

OTHER BUILDINGS
AS AN AMALGAM OF THREE PARISHES ALL SAINTS POSSESSES A NUMBER OF CATHOLIC PAROCHIAL BUILDINGS IN ADDITION TO ITS CHURCHES. FIRST AND FOREMOST THERE WERE SEVERAL PRESBYTERIES OVER THE YEARS WITH TWO AT ADAMSTOWN, ONE AT CARDIFF, AND TWO AT KOTARA SOUTH, OF WHICH ONE REMAINS AT EACH LOCATION. EACH CHURCH HAS ITS OWN PARISH OFFICE WITH THAT OF CARDIFF HAVING A DEDICATED BUILDING KNOWN AS ST KEVIN'S COTTAGE. AT ONE STAGE LAND WAS PURCHASED IN ADA ST SOUTH CARDIFF AND A CHURCH HALL ERECTED ON THE SITE FOR USE AS A MASS CENTRE. ALTHOUGH SOME THOUGHT WAS GIVEN TO USING THE SITE FOR A NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOL THIS NEVER EVENTUATED AND WHEN THE HALL BECAME UNSAFE TO USE IT WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE LAND SOLD IN THE 1980's. THE AREA IS ALSO RICH IN RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS. THE SISTERS OF MERCY BEGAN A SCHOOL AT ADAMSTOWN IN THE 1890's BUT DID NOT HAVE A CONVENT THERE UNTIL 1950. SIMILARLY THEY COMMENCED A SCHOOL IN GARDEN SUBURB IN THE 1960's STAFFING IT FROM NEW LAMBTON. LATER THE SCHOOL WAS MOVED TO KOTARA SOUTH. THE LOCHINVAR SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH ESTABLISHED A CONVENT IN CARDIFF IN 1917 AND FOUNDED ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL (LATER ST KEVIN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL) THERE. A JOSEPHITE SISTER TOO FOUNDED AS A PERSONAL APOSTOLATE, THE HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY, IN ADAMSTOWN. ADAMSTOWN IS ALSO THE LOCATION OF THE DIOCESAN ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL COMPRISING THE FORMER ST PIUS X AND ST ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOLS.
ADAMSTOWN PRESBYTERIES	CARDIFF PRESBYTERY	KOTARA SOUTH PRESBYTERIES
CARDIFF ST KEVIN'S COTTAGE	ADAMSTOWN ST ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL	ADAMSTOWN ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

PRESBYTERIES, ADAMSTOWN

THE ORIGINAL ADAMSTOWN PRESBYTERY WAS A WEATHERBOARD BUILDING CONSTRUCTED ADJACENT TO THE CHURCH IN THE 1920's. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE PRESENT PREBYTERY IN THE 1976. THE BUILDING, AN UNPRETENSIOUS LATE 20th CENTURY STYLE SUBURBAN HOUSE, BLENDS IN WITH SURROUNDING DWELLINGS FROM WHICH IT IS DISTINGUISHED BY THE LARGE CROSS ON THE WALL. OF PARTICULAR INTEREST HOWEVER IS THE ARCHITECT, P J GANNON, THE SON OF ANOTHER P J GANNON WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY OF THE GREAT CHURCH BUILDINGS IN THE DIOCESE. WITH THE AMALGAMATION OF THE THREE PARISHES THE PRESBYTERY TODAY SERVES AS THE ADAMSTOWN CHURCH OFFICES AND THE HOME OF A PRIEST IN RESIDENCE WHO GIVES HELP TO THE PARISH PRIEST. TOP OTHER BUILDINGS CARDIFF PRESBYTERY

PRESBYTERY, CARDIFF

THE CARDIFF PRESBYTERY DATES FROM THE FORMATION OF THE PARISH IN 1939 AND SERVED AS THE PARISH PRIEST'S RESIDENCE UNTIL 2002. IT IS A PLAIN LITTLE FEDERATION STYLE BUNGALOW LOCATED A SHORT STEP FROM THE CHURCH. ITS STYLE IS MODEST AND UNASSUMING IN KEEPING WITH THE CHURCH'S GENERAL TENOR.

WITH THE DEPARTURE OF THE LAST RESIDENT PARISH PRIEST THE PRESBYTERY WAS LET AS A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. THE RECENT DECISION TO AMALGAMATE THE THREE FORMER PARISHES INTO A NEW PARISH MAY IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF THE PRESBYTERY.

IRRESPECTIVE OF ITS FUTURE THE PLAIN WEATHERBOARD BUILDING HAS SERVED THE PARISH WELL THROUGH THE YEARS AS A TRUE EXAMPLE OF THE APOSTOLIC MODESTY ENJOINED BY THE CHURCH.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS KOTARA SOUTH PRESBYTERY

PRESBYTERIES, KOTARA SOUTH
	THE FIRST PRESBYTERY IN KOTARA SOUTH WAS A HOUSE IN GRAYSON AVENUE BUILT BY VOLUNTEER LABOUR IN 1965 (BELOW LEFT). IT STILL EXISTS TODAY AS A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. WITH THE MOVE TO A MORE SPACIOUS SITE FOR THE PARISH COMPLEX A NEW PRESBYTERY AND PARISH OFFICE WAS ERECTED ADJACENT TO THE PRESENT CHURCH TO WHICH IT WAS LINKED BY A WALKWAY (LEFT AND BELOW RIGHT). IN KEEPING WITH CURRENT CONCEPTS OF THE PRESBYTERY DISTINCT FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE THE BUILDING IS CONSTRUCTED IN TWO PARTS COMPRISING A MODEST DOMESTIC STYLE HOME AND A CHURCH OFFICE. THE BUILDING IS IDENTIFIED BY A SMALL CROSS ON THE WALL. TODAY THE PRESBYTERY IS THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PARISH PRIEST OF BLACKBUTT SOUTH. NEXT

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST KEVIN'S COTTAGE

ST KEVIN'S COTTAGE, CARDIFF

ONE REASON FOR THE PRESBYTERY BEING LOCATED WHERE IT WAS INSTEAD OF ADJACENT TO THE CHURCH WAS THE PRESENCE OF A FEDERATION STYLE FAMILY HOME ON THE CORNER OF THE CHURCH BLOCK. THIS HOME WAS FINALLY PURCHASED BY THE CHURCH TO USE AS MEETING ROOMS IN THE ABSENCE OF A CHURCH HALL.

IN 2000 THE COTTAGE WAS RENOVATED THROUGHOUT T0 PROVIDE A PARISH OFFICE, MEETING ROOMS AND A SMALL HALL AT THE REAR. THE FEDERATION FEATURES ESPECIALLY THE ATTRACTIVE BALCONY STYLE VERANDAH WERE RETAINED. TODAY THE BUILDING CONTINUES TO SERVE AS THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR ST KEVIN'S AND PARISH HALL.

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL

ST ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL, ADAMSTOWN

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE WYNDHAM SCHEME IN NEW SOUTH WALES IN THE 1960's FORCED A MAJOR RESTRUCTURING OF CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS. IN NEWCASTLE THIS MEANT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW GIRL'S HIGH SCHOOL TO TAKE THE SENIOR YEARS FROM SEVERAL EXISTING SCHOOLS. IN 1966 ST ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL WAS OPENED TEMPORARILY IN THE DISUSED BUILDINGS OF THE FORMER ST PIUS X SCHOOL AT TIGHES HILL TAKING STUDENTS FROM ST ALOYSIUS HAMILTON, SAN CLEMENTE MAYFIELD AND ST JOSEPH'S MEREWETHER WITH STAFF DRAWN FROM ALL THREE TEACHING ORDERS - THE DOMINICANS, THE MERCYS AND THE LOCHINVAR JOSEPHITES. IN 1967 THE SCHOOL WAS TRANSFERRED TO NEW PERMANENT BUILDINGS ADJACENT TO ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL AT ADAMSTOWN AND BECAME A DIOCESAN SCHOOL. FOLLOWING A FURTHER RESTRUCTURING IN EARLY 1983 ST ANNE'S WAS AMALGAMATED WITH ST PIUS X AND IN 1985 THE SENIOR COLLEGE WAS MOVED TO ST FRANCIS XAVIER'S COLLEGE HAMILTON. DESPITE ITS SHORT LIFE AS AN INDEPENDANT SCHOOL ITS MEMORY IS KEPT ALIVE IN THE NAME OF ST ANNE'S HALL (BELOW RIGHT) NOW PART OF THE CO-EDUCATIONAL ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL. NEXT

TOP OTHER BUILDINGS ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL, ADAMSTOWN

IN 1958 BISHOP TOOHEY ANNOUNCED THAT THE MARIST PRIMARY SCHOOL AT TIGHES HILL WOULD BECOME A HIGH SCHOOL STAFFED BY DIOCESAN PRIESTS MANY OF WHOM HAD TRAINED AT THE DE LA SALLE SCHOLASTICATE IN SYDNEY. ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL WAS DULY OPENED IN 1959 BUT WAS HAMPERED BY THE SMALL SIZE AND RESTRICTED FACILITIES OF THE SITE. IN 1961 FOLLOWING THE BISHOP'S PURCHASE OF THE OLD LUSTRE HOSIERY FACTORY IN ADAMSTOWN THE HIGH SCHOOL WAS TRANSFERRED TO ITS PRESENT LOCATION. NEXT

PHOTO BY RONALD MORRISON © COPYRIGHT
NEWCASTLE REGIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE SCHOOL WAS HOUSED IN THE OLD FACTORY BUILDING WHICH WAS CONVERTED INTO CLASSROOMS. THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE FACTORY ARCHITECTURE CAN STILL BE SEEN (SEE ABOVE AND BELOW).

TO THE LEFT CAN BE SEEN THE IMPRESSIVE SCHOOL FACADE ON ITS OPENING. A LARGE CROSS WAS MOUNTED ON THE ROOF TO MARK THE BUILDING'S NEW MISSION AND THE FRONT HAS BEEN RENOVATED.

THE BACK HOWEVER (SEE BELOW) SHOWS IMMEDIATELY THE FACTORY ARCHITECTURE WITH THE SPIKY ROOF EFFECT PRODUCED BY THE TYPICALLY REGULAR PROCESSION OF ANGULAR SKYLIGHT WINDOWS.

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IN 1967 ST ANNE'S, A SENIOR GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL, WAS MOVED FROM TIGHES HILL AND OPENED IN NEW BUILDINGS ADJACENT TO ST PIUS'. FOR SOME YEARS THE TWO SCHOOLS SHARED SENIOR CLASSES UNTIL IN 1983 THEY WERE AMALGAMATED INTO A CO-EDUCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WHICH RETAINED THE NAME OF ST PIUS X. TWO YEARS LATER THE SENIOR YEARS WERE TRANSFERRED TO ST FRANCIS XAVIER'S AND ST PIUS', NOW FULLY LAY-STAFFED, BECAME A REGIONAL 7 - 10 SCHOOL, A ROLE IT CONTINUES TO PERFORM TO THE PRESENT DAY. CLERICAL RESIDENCE AND HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY
STAFF RESIDENCE	HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY

THE CLERICAL TEACHING STAFF WERE ACCOMODATED IN THE FORMER TWO-STORY ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK (BELOW LEFT) ATTACHED TO THE FRONT OF THE FACTORY. SINCE 1992 THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN RE-OPENED AS THE 'HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY' (BELOW RIGHT), A FAITH COMMUNITY AND SPECIAL SOCIAL WELFARE APOSTOLATE BEGUN AND MAINTAINED BY ONE OF THE LOCHINVAR SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH.
TOP SCHOOL WEBSITE OTHER BUILDINGS RELIGIOUS ORDERS PARISH DIRECTORY

RELIGIOUS ORDERS
SISTERS OF MERCY SINGLETON CONGREGATION	SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH LOCHINVAR CONGREGATION

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
ST COLUMBA'S SCHOOL ADAMSTOWN	ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL CARDIFF	ST KEVIN'S SCHOOL CARDIFF	ST JAMES' SCHOOL GARDEN SUBURB	ST JAMES' SCHOOL KOTARA SOUTH

PARISH DIRECTORY
PARISH CHURCHES ST COLUMBA ADAMSTOWN 153 LOCKYER STREET ADAMSTOWN 2289 PHONE: (02) 4952 7724 FAX: (02) 4957 6910 EMAIL: adaparish@mn.catholic.org.au ST KEVIN CARDIFF 232 MAIN ROAD CARDIFF 2285 PHONE: (02) 4954 0977 FAX: (02) 4956 7168 EMAIL: carparish@mn.catholic.org.au ST PHILIP THE APOSTLE KOTARA SOUTH 31 VISTA PARADE KOTARA SOUTH 2289 PHONE: (02) 4957 5949 FAX: (02) 4952 8562 EMAIL: kotparish@mn.catholic.org.au PARISH WEBSITE: www.allsaintsparish.catholicau.com	PRIMARY SCHOOLS ST COLUMBA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL LOCKYER ST ADAMSTOWN 2289 PHONE: (02) 4952 1642 FAX: (02) 4952 2225 EMAIL: admin@admstnsc.mn.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: admstnsc.mn.catholic.edu.au ST KEVIN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL MAIN ROAD CARDIFF 2285 MAIL: PO BOX 116 CARDIFF 2285 PHONE: (02) 4954 0036 FAX: (02) 4954 3282 EMAIL: admin@cardf.mn.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: cardf.mn.catholic.edu.au ST JAMES' PRIMARY SCHOOL VISTA PARADE KOTARA SOUTH 2289 PHONE: (02) 4952 2414 FAX: (02) 4957 0597 EMAIL: admin@ktaras.mn.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: ktaras.mn.catholic.edu.au
SECONDARY SCHOOL ST PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL PARK AVE ADAMSTOWN 2289 PHONE: (02) 4957 1032 FAX: (02) 4957 5088 EMAIL: admin@admstnsp.mn.catholic.edu.au WEBSITE: http://admstnsp.mn.catholic.edu.au	RELIGIOUS ORDERS SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH CONVENT OF ST JOSEPH 228 MAIN ROAD CARDIFF 2285 PHONE: (02) 4954 5016 HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY POST: PO BOX 211 ADAMSTOWN 2289 PHONE: (02) 4956 2484 FAX: (02) 4956 2054 EMAIL: Carmel.Hanson@newcastle.edu.au

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