History of The Church 1910

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A number of Catholic Church buildings have occupied the land at 35 Coach Street, Wallabadah since the grounds were consecrated in 1870. Dorothy Durrant notes the first church building as possibly being a timber structure. 

The next was a church of rough stones erected by the local people around 1875. When the Rev Dr C McKee was appointed priest of the district in 1888 he had the stone Church demolished due to the appearance of cracks in the walls. 

He immediately began working towards erecting a new church, organising fund raising concerts, and actively participating as a talented singer and pianist. His residence was in Wallabadah and he undertook the tasks of architect and contractor of the new Church, as well as part time labourer. Parishioners assisted with the building works, dependent upon their skills. Those with teams and drays hauled the stone and timber from Castlemountain; plasterers, stonecutters and carpenters volunteered their crafts and others helped with clearing and fencing. The task was reportedly not an easy one as the congregation was small and money scarce.

The building was completed in 1905. The Catholic Press Sydney in June 1905 reports “the new Church which is of stone, is complete in every detail and has a belfry-tower with a bell weighing 400 pounds. The interior is beautiful, the High Altar and the Altar of the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph being richly decorated. 

The Communion rails are of forged iron, which is gilded and above the High Altar is a fine painting representing the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The windows are of stained glass.” This building served the Parish for five years. The stonework was not good and a new church was built.

Under the watch of Father Thomas Harrington, the new Church was constructed in 1910, using the old stone for the foundation and lower parts of the walls. Brick and timber completed the structure. It is this building which still stands today, serving as an active part of the community until the final mass was held by Father Roel Llave on October 30, 2011. 

The risk of vandalism to the building was always a possibility as long as it remained vacant, with permission from the Bishop sought in 2014 to alienate the Church. The Bishop granted approval in September 2014 to place the church on the market. This was considered the best option for preserving the building and its heritage. 

It came as a surprise to discover that St Annes Catholic church was still on Crown Land. Four and a half years later the Title was changed to Freehold on January 16, 2018, with plans then able to commence to auction the property on site on April 7, 2018.