St Joachim's Catholic Church

Statement of Significance

St Joachim's Catholic Church has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

• The place has aesthetic value as a simple design building with modified traditional forms of the Ecclesiastical architectural style;
• The place has historic value for its connection to the original Church building, built in the same precinct in 1898 and later demolished in 1962; and
• The place has social value as an important centre for the local Catholic community for nearly 100 years. The place also forms part of a larger precinct comprising the Church, Hall, Presbytery, School and former Convent, now part of Ursula Frayne College.

Physical Description

St Joachim Catholic Church is located along Shepperton Road and is bounded by St Joachim Hall to the west, Mercy Convent and Ursula Frayne College to the east and a carpark to the north. The place comprises a main church building and tower, linked by a simplified colonnaded loggia. The buildings are constructed of face brick walls and a gable terracotta tile roof with timber battened eaves in Post War Ecclesiastical architectural style.

The church has a traditional rectangular plan with a dominant vertically proportioned window central to the front gable.

The tower is reminiscent of a medieval campanile, again with vertically proportioned openings.

History

St Joachim Catholic Church replaced an 1898 weatherboard church that was demolished in 1962.

The Church was blessed and opened by the Archbishop Prendiville on 18 November 1956. The stained glass window at the front of the Church was installed in 1959. One of the longest serving Parish Priests to St Joachim’s parish was Monsignor Lenihan, who served from 1961 until 1979.

There have been a number of upgrades and renovations to the Church over time including neon lights in the Church tower, carpeting and installation of universal access ramps and rails at the Church entrances.

In 1976, an Italian Mass was established that reflects an influx of Italian migrants to the area in the 1950s.

A plaque on the St Joachim Catholic Church reads:

To the Greater honour and glory of God and St Joachim. Patron of the Parish. This edifice was erected in the year 1955AD. Parish Priest Rev. H Kearin, J O’Brien.
Architect: Anthony J O’Hara
Building: Harnett & Horne

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY: High
AUTHENTICITY: Medium

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.