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ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Location Tarrayoukyan Road TARRAYOUKYAN, Southern Grampians Shire File Number 178 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/5] 23147 St Joseph s Tarrayoukyan [2/5] 23147 St Joseph s Tarrayoukyan [3/5] 23147 St Joseph sTarrayoukyan [4/5] 23147 St Joseph s Tarrayoukyan [5/5] 23147 St Josephs Tarrayoukyan

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
St Joseph's Catholic Church, located in Tarrayoukyan Road, in the failed township of Tarrayoukyan is the last remaining structure in the township. The church is the second St. Joseph's on the site. It was built in 1912, replacing the earlier brick church, which dated from 1874. The current St. Josephs is a simple timber church with a corrugated iron roof , built on the stone footings of the earlier building. The church as a simple rectangular nave , with a sacristy and confessional added later on the west side, and an entrance porch on the south side added around 1950. The church is located in a prominent location near the Tarrayoukyan cemetery, and continues to be used by the Catholic congregation in the area. The church is in very good condition and retains a high degree of integrity .

How is it significant?
St Joseph' Catholic Church is of historical significance to the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
St Joseph's Catholic Church is of historical significance as the last surviving building of the township of Tarrayoukyan, which was established in the 1860s and 1870s. It represents the decline of many very small towns, and their failure for one reason or another to thrive. The church is historically important as it provides a strong indication of the early population of Tarrayoukyan, mainly Irish Catholic immigrants, who desired to build a Catholic church in their growing township. The church demonstrates the importance of Catholicism within the community since the 1870s.