Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church

Statement of Significance

Our Lady Help of Christians Church has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • The place has historic and social value for its long association with the East Victoria Park Catholic community

Physical Description

Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church is located on the corner of Berwick Street and Camberwell Street. The blonde face brick Church has a dark tile gable roof. The gable end faces towards Camberwell Street and includes a large stained glass window. The south elevation facing Berwick Street is largely blank with face brick and steel downpipes at regular intervals providing articulation to the facade. A window with a concrete brise soleil is located to the east end of the south facade. A smaller, blonde face brick, gabled roof building is located to the north of the Church. The two building as connected by an enclosed walkway. Shading is provided to this walkway by a steel roof supported by steel columns. A low blonde brick wall is located to the corner of the site and runs along Berwick Street. There is a perimeter hedge and a grassed area surrounding the Church.

History

The Our Lady Help of Christians Church (OLHOCC) started along with a school in 1935. The parish was set up by Archbishop Prendiville. The school, with Sisters of Mercy staff, began in 1936. The hall built on the school premises (opened 8 Dec. 1935) had a multifunctional use. During the week it was used for school classes and on the weekend for parish purposes and worship under the ministrations of Frank O'Connor who served as Parish Priest from 1935-1971. It is hard to separate the history of the church from the history of Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School. In 1950 the Sisters of Mercy built a convent on the premises. In 1963, the Christian Bros, (also living at the school) took over the education of boys from Year 8-10 starting St Francis Xavier College. When OLHOCC school combined with St Francis Xavier College in the 1970s it became known as Xavier College but the Church kept the name OLHOCC. In 1960 after much hard work, the Church that stands today was opened. The parish members' contributions allowed the Church to be opened free of any outstanding debts. It was opened on 8 December, exactly 25 years after the opening of the Church Hall. The Church continues to serve the parish and school including the school population of Ursula Frayne Co-Educational College. Ursula Frayne College was erected by the amalgamation (not without controversy) of Xavier College and St Joachims' in 1990. In 1998 the school and parish were tended by Fr Brian Harris, who in his 13 years as Parish Priest has instigated extensions to include a meeting hall to the side of the Church. The hall is used every day for a variety of purposes including playgroups and senior citizens meetings.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High AUTHENTICITY: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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