ST JOHN‘S CATHOLIC CHURCH BANNOCKBURN
The territory that now embraces the Bannockburn district was held by the Clyde Company on lease from the Government of New South Wales, when Victoria was still part of that State.
Large estates of thousands of acres once surrounded the township. There was a deal of confusion about Bannockburn in days gone by. The Shire was known as Bannockburn, the Post Office as Wabdallah and the railway station as Leigh Road. And all at the same time!. In 1904, all of the public utilities were brought into line and the name of Bannockburn universally used. The Bannockburn District Roads Board was created in the year 1862. Bannockburn was proclaimed a Shire in 1864 and was selected as the administrative centre for the Golden Plains Shire.
Once predominately a thriving farming and agricultural area, Bannockburn today is the commercial hub of the district, offering most of the services that are available to city dwellers. The population continues to grow at a faster rate than any other town in the region.
Bannockburn was served by the priests from St.Mary‘s, Geelong and became part of the parish of Winchelsea, transferring to the parish of Meredith in October 1998.
The Steiglitz Miner carried a report of a Concert and Ball held at Leigh Road in November, 1899 to raise funds for the proposed Roman Catholic Church at Bannockburn.
A site was selected in July,1900 by Arch-Priest McKenna from St Mary‘s, Geelong for a R.C.Church at Leigh Road.
J.C.Taylor‘s tender of $990 was accepted in October, 1900.
A bazaar for the new R.C.Church was conducted at Bannockburn in December, 1900.
Mr.C.Horwood was the successful tenderer for the erection of the fence around the church.
By March,1901 the building was nearing completion and it was reported that arrangements are being made for the formal opening about the end of the present month. His Grace the Archbishop is to be invited to perform the ceremony.
The Steiglitz Miner of April 6th, 1901 reported the opening of the church.
Though the approval of the Central Board of Health was only obtained on Thursday, the arrangements for the formal opening of the Leigh Road Roman Catholic Church on Sunday last was as complete a character as it was possible under the circumstances, and the hon-secretary (Mr.H.Moreillon) and those who assisted him are deserving of the greatest praise.
The building, which cost over $1200, is a lofty, well ventilated wooden structure, with seating accommodation for over 200, and it is well finished throughout. The altar, which for many years did service in S.S.Peter and Paul‘s church, Ashby, Geelong, was handed over to the church by Arch-Priest McKenna, and it is a handsome piece of work, it forms an attractive feature of the church. No expense appears to have been spared by the committee of management to perfect the minutest details, and the result is a church second to none in any country town in Victoria.
Mass was celebrated in the church for the first time at 8.a.m. on Sunday last, by the Rev.Father.Lowe, of the Vincentian Order, and 30 members of the church received Holy Communion. Prior to the 11 o‘clock Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev.Father.Sullivan (of Geelong), the solemn service of blessing the new church, which was named St John‘s, was performed by the Rev.Father.Lowe, and the building was crowded. Subsequently the reverend gentleman preached an impressive and instructive sermon. He took for his text the words of Our Lord to His Apostles, “Go ye therefore, teach all nations…. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” He congratulated the people of the district upon the beautiful church they had erected, and he said it would stand as a monument of their faith and devotion. He heartily thanked the members of other churches who had liberally and substantially assisted in the erection of the church, and he expressed the pleasure he felt to learn that unanimity and cordiality existed amongst the people, and that bigotry was unknown. He hoped it might ever be so. In conclusion he trusted that the blessing of the Trinity would descend upon all and ever remain with them. The collection taken up was generously responded to. A special choir from Geelong, under the conductorship of Mr.J.F.Richardson, shared in the success of the occasion. The soloists were:- Sopranos, Mesdames Storry, Butters and M‘Inder, altos, Misses Corrigan and Atkinson; tenors, Messrs H.G.Storry and W.J.Crough; basses, Messrs S.Begley and J.V.O‘Connor. Mrs.Butters sang the offertory, and Miss K.Holden presided at the organ. A mission opened in the church at early Mass on Sunday extended over the two following days.
The first baptism that took place in St.John‘s church was on the 2nd February 1902 when Robert.J.Phelan son of Charles Phelan and Emilia Crawford of Leigh Road was baptised by Fr.T.O‘Sullivan.
Mr.M.Enright and Catherine King were the sponsors.
Some early weddings in St.John‘s:
Daniel Guinane m Francis Lynch 25th June, 1913 Harry.Millar m Zadel Sllvia Brady 12th August, 1914
Henry Sturgeon m Annie Connors 1st January, 1919
Francis Woods m Carylyn McQuillan 23rd December, 1919
John Sweeney m Ada Hart 9th September, 1920
Early baptisms in St.John‘s.
Irene Baker 19th May,1907
Eileen Francis Wheeler 1st January, 1908
Mary Harriet Lowndes 28th June, 1908
Margaret Eileen McPhillips 20th September, 1908
Lawrence Leo Wheeler 24th December, 1908
The Advocate May 27, 1916. Mission at Bannockburn
Mission 8th,9th , and 10th of May given by Fr.C.Kennedy (St.Mary‘s Geelong). Fr.Kennedy blessed two statues, Sacred Heart and Our Blessed Lady, donated by Mr.Julius Moreillon in memory of deceased young man Pastor Fr.M.Hehir.
Recollections of the above from 1913 - 1940 by Mrs Butler, nee Irene Lowndes, Bannockburn
St John‘s was part of the Winchelsea Parish which was situated approximately 28miles from Bannockburn and the Parish Priest was only able to celebrate Mass at Bannockburn every three weeks. Needless to say the Sunday when Mass was celebrated would be a red letter day in the township for the parishioners. Fr.Hehir was the Parish Priest for many years. Fr.McDonnell was here when I left in 1940.
My first recollection was attending Mass in the open air. It was the time of the pneumonic flu.
Susan Molloy was the sacristan for more than forty years and Mrs.Guinane usually gave the priest his breakfast on the mornings he celebrated Mass at Bannockburn.
Mrs.Guinane was also in charge of the children for religious instruction and if the Mass was at St.John‘s she held the classes before Mass and on the other Sundays in the afternoon.
Choir practice was held twice a week with Mrs.Delahunty presiding at the organ. One male member of the choir had such a strong voice that he often ended up singing on his own as the other members stopped singing in sheer frustration. When that happened he always said “I think the organ is out of tune”.
Parishioners I recall in my time at St.John‘s were-
Bakers, Connors, Sturgeons, Lowndes, Davies, Brislanes, McPhillips, McCaghs, Molloys, Hogans, Farrellys, Kellys, Sweeneys, Glowrys, Kearneys, Allens, Lyons,
Moreillons, Caffreys, Callerys, Ryans, Guinanes, Pursers, Bradys, Ferrys, Morans.
The Redemptorist priests from Ballarat who provided supply for the Winchelsea parish travelled from Ballarat by train and road coach every three weeks, staying overnight at Mr & Mrs Dan. Guinane‘s home in High Street,Bannockburn, and the later on at the Railway Hotel. Mrs.Shelton was the last owner of the hotel, to provide accommodation for the Redemptorist priests. After celebrating Mass at Bannockburn a parishioner drove the priest to Inverleigh and then back to Ballarat.
The Advocate February 28, 1952 St.John‘s, Bannockburn Has First Wedding for 24 Years.
First wedding ceremony at St.John the Evangelist‘s church, Bannockburn, in 24 years, took place on Saturday when Miss Mary Mona Davies, of Bannockburn, was married to Mr.James Mathieson, of Geelong. The wedding, with Nuptial Mass, was celebrated by Rev.Arthur Hunter, P.P., Winchelsea.
In choosing St.John‘s Church Miss Davies was following a family tradition, for her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs.J.L.Davies (1932), and her uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs.W.Ferry (1929) were married in the church in only two other ceremonies that local residents can remember there during the past 33 years.
Patricia, sister of the bride, was brides-made, and best man was Mr. Laurence Mathieson, a brother of the groom.
Recollections of Mrs.Dan Guinane (nee Lynch,Fanny) by Mrs Dot Connors.
The earliest memories I have of Mrs.Guinane are that she taught R.I. (Catechism) as it was known by then at the school. The Catholic children all accepted this and I know I could remember the answers parrot fashion, just like a poem. That I didn‘t have a clue to what they meant didn‘t seem to matter. The parish priest would come to the school when a class was to receive the Sacraments and I guess check that we were ready for them. I don‘t know if the R.I. was taken out of the school but it must have been, because Mrs.Guinane taught us after school in the Church, much to our disgust. We had better things to do after school we felt and would try and sneak past the church on the way home, but she would be waiting for us. I remember complaining to my mother and she said to me “You are special children, you are Catholic”. My answer being “But I didn‘t want to be special”. Mrs.Guinane had the First Communion Breakfasts in her front parlour, as it was known. I remember mine being there on 7th September, 1947.
Mrs.Guinane also cleaned the church and did the linen. It was rather ironical that during a mission, and while the priest was staying with her, she collapsed in the church and died soon after.
Mas was celebrated in St.John‘s once a month in 1912.
Old Fred Hogan lived opposite the church, next to the Hall. He always sat in the back seat, on the end. One Sunday he went to Mass and his seat was taken. He never went to Mass again in that Church.
Joe Lowndes always took up the collection. He never went to Mass at Bannockburn again after someone else took up it up.
The Church Bell and the School Bell were always rung when there was a fire, as the Fire Brigade didn‘t have sirens in the old days. One Sunday the Bell rang while Mass was being said, and all the men left the Church. The priest was very upset and said they thought more of themselves and the fire than of God.
On Sunday 30th January, 2000 the Church Bell was rang for the first time for many years after being restored by Mr Jim. Guinane
A highlight on the social calendar for many years was the Catholic Ball held annually in the Bannockburn Hall. Ball Committee secretaries over the years have included Messrs J.E.Dillon, M.Kelly, W.L.Kelly, J.W.Lowndes and P.Davies. Mr.W.McInerney was president in 1948. M.C‘s have included Mr.P.J.Scanlon and Mr.Stev.Levy
The territory that now embraces the Bannockburn district was held by the Clyde Company on lease from the Government of New South Wales, when Victoria was still part of that State.
Large estates of thousands of acres once surrounded the township. There was a deal of confusion about Bannockburn in days gone by. The Shire was known as Bannockburn, the Post Office as Wabdallah and the railway station as Leigh Road. And all at the same time!. In 1904, all of the public utilities were brought into line and the name of Bannockburn universally used. The Bannockburn District Roads Board was created in the year 1862. Bannockburn was proclaimed a Shire in 1864 and was selected as the administrative centre for the Golden Plains Shire.
Once predominately a thriving farming and agricultural area, Bannockburn today is the commercial hub of the district, offering most of the services that are available to city dwellers. The population continues to grow at a faster rate than any other town in the region.
Bannockburn was served by the priests from St.Mary‘s, Geelong and became part of the parish of Winchelsea, transferring to the parish of Meredith in October 1998.
The Steiglitz Miner carried a report of a Concert and Ball held at Leigh Road in November, 1899 to raise funds for the proposed Roman Catholic Church at Bannockburn.
A site was selected in July,1900 by Arch-Priest McKenna from St Mary‘s, Geelong for a R.C.Church at Leigh Road.
J.C.Taylor‘s tender of $990 was accepted in October, 1900.
A bazaar for the new R.C.Church was conducted at Bannockburn in December, 1900.
Mr.C.Horwood was the successful tenderer for the erection of the fence around the church.
By March,1901 the building was nearing completion and it was reported that arrangements are being made for the formal opening about the end of the present month. His Grace the Archbishop is to be invited to perform the ceremony.
The Steiglitz Miner of April 6th, 1901 reported the opening of the church.
Though the approval of the Central Board of Health was only obtained on Thursday, the arrangements for the formal opening of the Leigh Road Roman Catholic Church on Sunday last was as complete a character as it was possible under the circumstances, and the hon-secretary (Mr.H.Moreillon) and those who assisted him are deserving of the greatest praise.
The building, which cost over $1200, is a lofty, well ventilated wooden structure, with seating accommodation for over 200, and it is well finished throughout. The altar, which for many years did service in S.S.Peter and Paul‘s church, Ashby, Geelong, was handed over to the church by Arch-Priest McKenna, and it is a handsome piece of work, it forms an attractive feature of the church. No expense appears to have been spared by the committee of management to perfect the minutest details, and the result is a church second to none in any country town in Victoria.
Mass was celebrated in the church for the first time at 8.a.m. on Sunday last, by the Rev.Father.Lowe, of the Vincentian Order, and 30 members of the church received Holy Communion. Prior to the 11 o‘clock Mass, which was celebrated by the Rev.Father.Sullivan (of Geelong), the solemn service of blessing the new church, which was named St John‘s, was performed by the Rev.Father.Lowe, and the building was crowded. Subsequently the reverend gentleman preached an impressive and instructive sermon. He took for his text the words of Our Lord to His Apostles, “Go ye therefore, teach all nations…. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” He congratulated the people of the district upon the beautiful church they had erected, and he said it would stand as a monument of their faith and devotion. He heartily thanked the members of other churches who had liberally and substantially assisted in the erection of the church, and he expressed the pleasure he felt to learn that unanimity and cordiality existed amongst the people, and that bigotry was unknown. He hoped it might ever be so. In conclusion he trusted that the blessing of the Trinity would descend upon all and ever remain with them. The collection taken up was generously responded to. A special choir from Geelong, under the conductorship of Mr.J.F.Richardson, shared in the success of the occasion. The soloists were:- Sopranos, Mesdames Storry, Butters and M‘Inder, altos, Misses Corrigan and Atkinson; tenors, Messrs H.G.Storry and W.J.Crough; basses, Messrs S.Begley and J.V.O‘Connor. Mrs.Butters sang the offertory, and Miss K.Holden presided at the organ. A mission opened in the church at early Mass on Sunday extended over the two following days.
The first baptism that took place in St.John‘s church was on the 2nd February 1902 when Robert.J.Phelan son of Charles Phelan and Emilia Crawford of Leigh Road was baptised by Fr.T.O‘Sullivan.
Mr.M.Enright and Catherine King were the sponsors.
Some early weddings in St.John‘s:
Daniel Guinane m Francis Lynch 25th June, 1913 Harry.Millar m Zadel Sllvia Brady 12th August, 1914
Henry Sturgeon m Annie Connors 1st January, 1919
Francis Woods m Carylyn McQuillan 23rd December, 1919
John Sweeney m Ada Hart 9th September, 1920
Early baptisms in St.John‘s.
Irene Baker 19th May,1907
Eileen Francis Wheeler 1st January, 1908
Mary Harriet Lowndes 28th June, 1908
Margaret Eileen McPhillips 20th September, 1908
Lawrence Leo Wheeler 24th December, 1908
The Advocate May 27, 1916. Mission at Bannockburn
Mission 8th,9th , and 10th of May given by Fr.C.Kennedy (St.Mary‘s Geelong). Fr.Kennedy blessed two statues, Sacred Heart and Our Blessed Lady, donated by Mr.Julius Moreillon in memory of deceased young man Pastor Fr.M.Hehir.
Recollections of the above from 1913 - 1940 by Mrs Butler, nee Irene Lowndes, Bannockburn
St John‘s was part of the Winchelsea Parish which was situated approximately 28miles from Bannockburn and the Parish Priest was only able to celebrate Mass at Bannockburn every three weeks. Needless to say the Sunday when Mass was celebrated would be a red letter day in the township for the parishioners. Fr.Hehir was the Parish Priest for many years. Fr.McDonnell was here when I left in 1940.
My first recollection was attending Mass in the open air. It was the time of the pneumonic flu.
Susan Molloy was the sacristan for more than forty years and Mrs.Guinane usually gave the priest his breakfast on the mornings he celebrated Mass at Bannockburn.
Mrs.Guinane was also in charge of the children for religious instruction and if the Mass was at St.John‘s she held the classes before Mass and on the other Sundays in the afternoon.
Choir practice was held twice a week with Mrs.Delahunty presiding at the organ. One male member of the choir had such a strong voice that he often ended up singing on his own as the other members stopped singing in sheer frustration. When that happened he always said “I think the organ is out of tune”.
Parishioners I recall in my time at St.John‘s were-
Bakers, Connors, Sturgeons, Lowndes, Davies, Brislanes, McPhillips, McCaghs, Molloys, Hogans, Farrellys, Kellys, Sweeneys, Glowrys, Kearneys, Allens, Lyons,
Moreillons, Caffreys, Callerys, Ryans, Guinanes, Pursers, Bradys, Ferrys, Morans.
The Redemptorist priests from Ballarat who provided supply for the Winchelsea parish travelled from Ballarat by train and road coach every three weeks, staying overnight at Mr & Mrs Dan. Guinane‘s home in High Street,Bannockburn, and the later on at the Railway Hotel. Mrs.Shelton was the last owner of the hotel, to provide accommodation for the Redemptorist priests. After celebrating Mass at Bannockburn a parishioner drove the priest to Inverleigh and then back to Ballarat.
The Advocate February 28, 1952 St.John‘s, Bannockburn Has First Wedding for 24 Years.
First wedding ceremony at St.John the Evangelist‘s church, Bannockburn, in 24 years, took place on Saturday when Miss Mary Mona Davies, of Bannockburn, was married to Mr.James Mathieson, of Geelong. The wedding, with Nuptial Mass, was celebrated by Rev.Arthur Hunter, P.P., Winchelsea.
In choosing St.John‘s Church Miss Davies was following a family tradition, for her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs.J.L.Davies (1932), and her uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs.W.Ferry (1929) were married in the church in only two other ceremonies that local residents can remember there during the past 33 years.
Patricia, sister of the bride, was brides-made, and best man was Mr. Laurence Mathieson, a brother of the groom.
Recollections of Mrs.Dan Guinane (nee Lynch,Fanny) by Mrs Dot Connors.
The earliest memories I have of Mrs.Guinane are that she taught R.I. (Catechism) as it was known by then at the school. The Catholic children all accepted this and I know I could remember the answers parrot fashion, just like a poem. That I didn‘t have a clue to what they meant didn‘t seem to matter. The parish priest would come to the school when a class was to receive the Sacraments and I guess check that we were ready for them. I don‘t know if the R.I. was taken out of the school but it must have been, because Mrs.Guinane taught us after school in the Church, much to our disgust. We had better things to do after school we felt and would try and sneak past the church on the way home, but she would be waiting for us. I remember complaining to my mother and she said to me “You are special children, you are Catholic”. My answer being “But I didn‘t want to be special”. Mrs.Guinane had the First Communion Breakfasts in her front parlour, as it was known. I remember mine being there on 7th September, 1947.
Mrs.Guinane also cleaned the church and did the linen. It was rather ironical that during a mission, and while the priest was staying with her, she collapsed in the church and died soon after.
Mas was celebrated in St.John‘s once a month in 1912.
Old Fred Hogan lived opposite the church, next to the Hall. He always sat in the back seat, on the end. One Sunday he went to Mass and his seat was taken. He never went to Mass again in that Church.
Joe Lowndes always took up the collection. He never went to Mass at Bannockburn again after someone else took up it up.
The Church Bell and the School Bell were always rung when there was a fire, as the Fire Brigade didn‘t have sirens in the old days. One Sunday the Bell rang while Mass was being said, and all the men left the Church. The priest was very upset and said they thought more of themselves and the fire than of God.
On Sunday 30th January, 2000 the Church Bell was rang for the first time for many years after being restored by Mr Jim. Guinane
A highlight on the social calendar for many years was the Catholic Ball held annually in the Bannockburn Hall. Ball Committee secretaries over the years have included Messrs J.E.Dillon, M.Kelly, W.L.Kelly, J.W.Lowndes and P.Davies. Mr.W.McInerney was president in 1948. M.C‘s have included Mr.P.J.Scanlon and Mr.Stev.Levy