A Brief History of St Kieran's Parish
Compiled by Fr Michael Gatt
Extracted from Parish Conservation Plan May 2002
Produced by Architect Philip Griffiths and Historian Robin Chinnery.
FOREWORD
A parish is a living, growing, needing, changing and giving community. In my 34 years of experience in the priesthood I have come to love the task God has given me, being a central player in the life of various parishes. I must say from the outset that I thought to register the St Kieran Parish Buildings namely: the old church (now known as the parish community centre), the current parish church and the presbytery (priest's residence) on the invitation of the Archdiocese of Perth. Our old parish buildings enjoy great local cultural history. The Mayor of the City of Stirling, Councillor Tony Vallelonga writing to the Heritage Council of WA on 31 July 2001 on behalf of the parish has stated: "Since the first church was built in 1914, it has formed a focal point for the local community. In addition to the regular church services held, the building also provided a meeting place for the mainly rural community of the time. This tradition has continued over the years and today the building remains an important place for the school, Catholic and wider community. The success of the funding application will ensure that the place will be enjoyed for generations to come".
I would also like to acknowledge that Mr Michael Broderick, the architect of the current church built in July 1983, has harmonised with the old church and provided the correct setting for modern liturgy. Mr Broderick won a very special award on our new church. Those who read the draft of this historic conservation plan for the purpose of listing our parish buildings with the Heritage Council of WA had nothing to say except words of praise for the architect: Mr Philip Griffiths and Historian: Ms Robin Chinnery who have successfully brought to a new light the rich heritage of the St Kieran Parish Community since 1914. Again, commenting on this Conservation Plan the Heritage Council of WA has stated: "The draft conservation plan is of very good quality, provides a clear understanding of the cultural heritage significance of the place and is a tool for future conservation".
Finally, while I acknowledge the good work of my predecessors and other parish archivists in keeping up with the records of some 88 years of history, we will keep up the good work. I would also like to add my name in congratulating Mr Griffiths and Ms Chinnery in producing this Conservation Plan for us and I would encourage our parishioners to read it with self pride and appreciation.
Reverend Father Michael Gatt
May 2002
St Kieran Roman Catholic Church, looking towards the Sanctuary, 1958
ANALYSIS OF DOCUMENTARY AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE GENERALLY
The process of physical evidence gathering verified much of the documentary evidence, identified authentic fabric, and noted change, sometimes quite substantial, sufficient to be able to analyse the evidence and to assess significance. The detailed room and elevation Inspection Schedules provide a useful analysis for future reference and allows this discussion to be succinct.
DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE OF THE FABRIC AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE SURVIVING FABRIC
| 1907 | Bishop Gibney acquires four lots of land at corner Cape and Trafalgar (later Tyler) streets | |
| 1910 | Catholic services begin in private home, with clergy visiting from W. Perth | |
| 1913 | Building Committee formed, and fund begun, for purpose of building a church on the land at Cape Street | |
| 1914 | Architect R. J. Dennehy draws plans for the church, a brick and stone building on concrete foundations, with steel-framed windows and an iron roof, which is built by day labour under the supervision of Mr. M. Power | |
| 4 Aug | Foundation stone is laid | |
| 8 Nov | St. Kieran Church is blessed and opened by Archbishop Clune | |
| 1919 | Osborne Park becomes part of the new Parish of Leederville | |
| 1920 | School opens at St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church | |
| 1923 | 9 Jun | St. Kieran Church severely damaged by storm |
| Oct | St. Kieran Church re-opened following re-construction | |
| 1925 | Erection of three-sided timber building in the grounds to serve as Infant School | |
| C1930 | A small wooden roof added to the south side of the sanctuary to act as a sacristy and confessional | |
| 1933 | 17 Dec | St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church extended to 120 in length, with new sanctuary, sacristy and porch included in the works. Blessed and opened by Archbishop Clune |
| 1934 | St. Kieran School opened by Coadjutor Archbishop Prendiville | |
| 1937 | Osborne Park-Wanneroo established as a new Parish | |
| 1937 | Presbytery completed | |
| 1947 | Fire damages the Sacristy; repaired by W. Broderick and Co | |
| 1951 | The garage at the presbytery of St. Kieran was demolished to make way for the alterations to the presbytery, including a new bedroom, and a new asbestos-clad garage erected at the rear of the property | |
| 1955 | Bell Tower (campanile) erected and new bell brought from United Kingdom | |
| 1956 | Further alterations to the presbytery to accommodate a housekeeper flat | |
| 1958 | Car park levelled in street and new toilet block built (subsequently demolished 1983) | |
| 1960 | Wooden statue of St. Kieran obtained | |
| 1971 | Statue of Our Lady, SS. Maria Annunziata acquired and niche built to accommodate it (north side of nave) | |
| 1976 | Initial plans prepared by Michael Broderick for new church | |
| 1981 | Fresh plans prepared by Michael Broderick for new church | |
| 1983 | New St. Kieran Church completed at site to west of former church. Bell tower removed, and bell re-located to new tower | |
| 1988 | Conversion of former Church to St Kieran Community Centre completed |
HISTORIC VALUE
The St. Kieran Community Centre is significant for its construction by day labour in 1914, re-building in 1923 and completion in 1933, as St Kieran Roman Catholic Church at Osborne Park, when the suburb was predominantly rural. The changing demographic pattern in the district in the Inter-War and post-World War Two period, as the Italian and Slavic immigrants became numerically dominant market gardeners in the area was reflected in the Parish, resulting in significant efforts being made by the St. Kieran Parish to cater to their needs. Their contribution to the church remains evident in the statuary, the festivals and the continuation of the services in Italian.
Following construction of the new St. Kieran Church (1983) the original Church was converted to a St. Kieran Community Centre (1988) to meet the needs for such facilities, both in the Parish and the wider community. The original St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church was built, largely re-built and completed in the World War One and Inter-War periods. In the 1980s, the new St. Kieran Church was built, with the original Church being converted to a St. Kieran Community Centre, during a period of further development in the suburb.
The place has been the centre of Roman Catholic worship and community activities from 1914 to the present for what became the Parish of Osborne Park. St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church Parish Group is associated with well-known Architect R. J. Dennehy who designed the original church, Fr. Moloney who was responsible for the re-building in 1923 and the completion in 1933 and with well-known Architect Michael Broderick who was responsible for both the designs of the new Church and the conversion of the original Church to the St Kieran Community Centre. It is associated with Architect Edgar Le B. Henderson who designed the presbytery and additions for the presbytery.
A number of Priests have served the place since 1914, and among them Fr. Fagan, Fr. Moloney and Fr. Langmead, the first Parish Priest, are most closely associated with the place through their notable contributions to the development of the place and their service to the Parish.
There are also significant associations with the Irish and Irish descent community who were the foundation members of St. Kieran Roman Catholic Parish and were responsible for the fund-raising to develop the church, develop and maintain services and facilities. The original St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church was where the Novena of the Sorrowful Mother was inaugurated in the Archdiocese in March 1952.
OSBORNE PARK TO 1913
The Catholic Church had been established in Western Australia since 1843. In 1907, Bishop Gibney purchased two blocks of land at the corner of Cape Street and Trafalgar Street (later re-named Tyler Street), and persuaded Town Properties to donate the two adjoining lots to the church. In 1910, Bishop Clune was appointed to the Diocese (Perth became an Archdiocese in 1913). Although initially little building construction was carried out, the church experienced a period of unprecedented growth through to 1935, with many new churches being erected under his direction.
In 1911, with a growing number of Catholics settling in Osborne Park, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Fagan of St. Brigid's, West Perth, began making visits to Osborne Park to celebrate Mass, when his considerable commitments at West Perth allowed. Initially, the Mass was celebrated in private homes. Subsequently, it was arranged to use the Osborne Park State School for this purpose, when required. Sisters of Mercy from West Perth also began to visit Osborne Park to conduct Catechism classes to instruct the children in the Christian Doctrine. By 1912, the suburb of Osborne Park was established as 'the home of the market gardener', and claimed to be 'one of the most progressive adjuncts to the capital city'. As the Catholic population of the suburb grew in numbers, it was proposed that a church be built to serve the needs of the growing congregation. The land acquired by Bishop Gibney in 1907, at the corner of Waterloo, Cape, and Tyler streets, was made available for this purpose.
PRIESTS & FAMILIES
Fr. Fagan, who first served the Osborne Park from West Perth, and who was the Priest at the initiation of the project to build the place, serving it through to 1919, when the place became part of the new Parish of Leederville.
Fr. Moloney, the first Parish Priest appointed to Leederville, served St. Kieran Roman Catholic Church through a critical period. He was responsible for reducing the debt, and, after the place was badly damaged by a storm in June 1923, for its re-building. In 1933, he was responsible for the enlargement and completion of the place.
Fr. Langmead was the first to be appointed as Parish Priest when Osborne Park became a separate Parish in 1937. He served at the place through to 1958, other than when he served for a period as a Chaplain during World War Two. He oversaw a period of growth and development as the population in the district increased and sought to meet the various and changing needs of the parishioners. In August 1956, the Archbishop announced that the Parish Priest, henceforth Monsignor Langmead, had been raised to the rank of Domestic Prelate. He continued to serve at St Kieran Roman catholic Church until 1958.
Many families have long associations with the place, some extending back to the Inter-War period. These families, and many others who came later, in particular, immigrant families in the Inter-War and post World War Two periods, have close associations with the place, for it has played a significant role in their lives.
EXPANDING PARISH
In 1925, as the population of the district continued to increase, the church was found to be too small for the growing congregation, and a building fund was commenced to raise money towards enlarging the building. Over the next eight years, the parishioners continued to raise funds towards their goal.
In August 1933, a building permit was granted to Fr. Moloney, for extensions to the church at Cape Street at an estimated cost of £1,500. During playtime and lunchtime, the schoolboys had the chore of digging out the large Tuart trees that had to be removed to make way for the extensions. The school children also assisted in fund-raising for the completion of the church, with a penny line down the aisle of the church, aiming to collect a mile of pennies. Other fund-raising activities included a series of Popular Girl contests.
Between August and December 1933, the church was extended, under the supervision of Fr. Moloney, who had also overseen the re-building in 1923. A new Sacristy was added and the Sanctuary enlarged. The extension more than doubled the capacity of the church, to provide accommodation for 450 people. On Sunday, 17 December 1933, Archbishop Clune again blessed and re-opened the extended church, and 'whimsically remarked' that 'the Osborne Park Church grounds must be the most blessed plot of ground in Perth', as it was the third occasion on which he had blessed the place.
Due to the eight-year fund-raising campaign, the church was 'practically free of debt'. In 1934, St. Kieran School was built in Cape Street. In August, the new school was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Prendiville. In February 1937, the new Parish of Osborne Park-Wanneroo was established, with Rev. Fr. A. T. Langmead appointed parish priest. He was to serve at Osborne Park until his appointment to Leederville in 1958, with an interruption during World War Two, when he served as a military Chaplain. The new parish included Scarborough and Gwelup. A presbytery was built for Fr. Langmead, on a lot opposite the church, at 120 Waterloo Street at the corner of Cape and Waterloo Streets. On 25 July 1937, the presbytery was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Prendiville.
In 1971, Sunday Mass in Italian was introduced. An Italian Committee was established who organised for a statue of Our Lady, 'Maria SS. Annunziata', to be made in Bolzano, Italy. The Italian community built a special alcove at the church to accommodate the statue, which arrived at Osborne Park in late July 1971. The statue was blessed at a special Mass in Italian at 11 a.m. on Sunday, 25 July. There was a procession through the streets of Osborne Park and also a concert that evening in the grounds of the Servite College, followed by a fireworks display. The functions were 'a tremendous success', in which more than 5,000 people took part.
In July 1976, the Annual General Meeting of the Parish approved a motion that plans be drawn up for the building of a new Church and that an all-out effort be made to raise the initial deposit. To this end, a Building Sub-Committee was formed, comprising Messrs. V. Alessandrino, A. Barker and P. Russell. Architect M. Broderick was requested to draw sketch designs for two alternatives. One which involved additions to the existing Church, and the other, for the design for a new Church, in order that 'the most feasible of the two plans could be utilised'.
THE LAST TWENTY YEARS
It seems to me that the last Twenty Years were full of Activity and Celebrations.
Fr Maurice Toop: (1979-1984) Fr Toop arrived on 31 August to take up his appointment as Parish Priest. On 12 September he celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination as a Priest, with a Concelebrated Mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Nedlands-where he and Dean W Foley were ordained 25 years earlier.
In 1980, a decision was made at the Annual General Meeting of the Parish to build a new Church. The Council prepared an architectural brief, outlining the requirements of the Parish, both for a new Church and the eventual conversion of the existing Church into a Parish Community Centre. Following Archbishop Goody's approval to proceed, Architect Michael Broderick was commissioned for the project. The new octagonal Church was designed to harmonise with the existing Church and 'to provide a correct setting for the modern liturgy'.
Archbishop Sir Launcelot Goody, dedicated the new Church on Saturday, 23 July 1983, with about 1,200 people attending the ceremony and buffet supper that followed. Among those in attendance, as the guest of honour, was the former Parish Priest, Monsignor John Hogan, who came from Ireland for the occasion as the guest of the Parish Council.
In 1986, a survey was undertaken to determine the needs of the Parish. Subsequently, it was decided 'to preserve the old Church' and to proceed with renovation and conversion of the place to St Kieran Community Centre. Architect Michael Broderick was commissioned to draw up a plan to meet the needs of the Parish. In early September, 1987, Fr D Foley received confirmation of the Archbishop's approval of the project.
On 16 October, 1988, St Kieran Community Centre was officially blessed and opened by Bishop R Healy. He recollected the connection of his own family to the place, being among those who initiated the Church and saw it through to completion - first built in 1914.
St Kieran Community Centre - mezzanine level looking from the former nave into the former Sanctuary
(now housing the two relocated confessionals).
New Church of St Kieran Parish.
In December 1989 the parish was asked to take over from the Parish of North Doubleview responsibility for the pastoral care of the Osborne Park Hospital. A pastoral team was formed to cover visitation and the administration of the Eucharist on a weekly basis at the Hospital. Our Hospital Care continues to today. On 6 August, 1990, a special Mass was celebrated to mark 35 years of Priesthood of Father Dan, and to officially farewell him on his transfer from the Parish at a social gathering afterwards.
Fr James Mullins: (April - November 1991). At the Annual General Meeting of the Parish in August 1991, the Chairman thanked Fr Mullins for initiating the purchase of the Stations of the Cross, and the anonymous donor of $2,000.00 who made their acquisition possible.
Fr Patrick Russell: (May 1992 - April 1993) Fr Sam Rodomonti came to St Kieran's with Fr Russell, and stayed on with Fr Hesse when he was appointed Parish Priest. At the AGM of 1992 Sr Mary Berry reported that St Catherine's Convent is now a "House of Hospitality/Spirituality" for anyone.
Fr Anton Hesse: September 1993 (Acting PP), March 1994 - 2000. (PP) 6 August 1995, Fr Hesse concelebrated Mass on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his Ordination as a Priest. This was followed by a dinner in the Parish Centre and was attended by a large number of parishioners, and friends from many of his former parishes.
On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of St Kieran's School, a history of the School was launched on 22 August 1995, entitled "Built on Faith". A number of people who had attended or been involved with the School in earlier years were present at the book launch. On 18 November 1995, there was a celebration of Fr Sam Rodomonti's 80th birthday after the Saturday evening Mass.
On 5 June, 1999, Bishop R Healy celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination as a Priest, with a Mass in this Parish. In 1949, he was ordained in St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland, and celebrated his first Mass the next day in St Kieran's College, Kilkenny. After 6.30pm Mass on 29 January, 2000, a farewell international dinner was held in the Parish Centre to express appreciation to Fr Hesse for his work in the parish over six years.
Fr Michael Gatt (2000 - ): Fr Michael Gatt arrived in St Kieran's Parish on 3 February, 2000. He was inducted by Archbishop Barry Hickey into St Kieran's Church at the Osborne Park parish on 5 March, 2000. The induction took place during a Mass concelebrated by the Archbishop and Fr Gatt. Symbols of his pastoral ministry were formally handed to Fr Gatt by the Archbishop, signifying the transfer of responsibility of his new position.
As I have said from the outset the past twenty years were filled with parish activity and celebrations by bishops, priests, religious and the very many parishioners. In July 2000, during the Jubilee Year we have acknowledged and awarded six of our parishioners for their good work over the years with a "Jubilee Service Award Certificate" in Appreciation of Outstanding Service. The last parish Celebration so far was my Thirty-Fifth Priestly Anniversary which I gratefully remember and treasure as a very good parish response.
30 March 2003. Reverend Father Michael Gatt