Back to search results »

Back to search page »

ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Location Coleraine-Balmoral Road BALMORAL, Southern Grampians Shire File Number 431 Level Stage 2 study complete

[1/3] 23236 St Patrick s Cath [2/3] 23236 St Patrick s Cath [3/3] 23236 St Patrick s Cath

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

St Patrick's Catholic Church is located on the northern side of the Coleraine-Balmoral Road, about one kilometre from the centre of the township of Balmoral. A simple rendered church, constructed from locally made bricks, St Patrick's is built in the Gothic revival style, formerly of three bays, now four, with a narthex or porch and a chancel also added in the early twentieth century. The interiors have been substantially modified in a recent modernisation with the removal of pews and the introduction of carpet being the most obvious changes. The original part of the church dates from 1895, although Catholicism was active in the township well before that time. Prior to the construction of the St. Patrick's, irregular services were conducted by itinerant priests from the Casterton (later Harrow) parish. Mass was held in the various places around the township, including the Mechanic's Institute, Western Hotel and the Court House. The architect of St. Patrick's is not known, but the builder's name was Mr. Wiltshire. The Church retains a high degree of integrity externally and fair degree of integrity internally subsequent to recent modernisation.

How is it significant?
St Patrick's Catholic Church is of historical, social and architectural significance to the township of Balmoral and the Southern Grampians Shire.

Why is it significant?
St Patrick's Catholic Church is of historical significance as a representation of the importance of Catholicism within the community, and its growing popularity in the Balmoral district in the late nineteenth century. The complex is of social significance to the township of Coleraine as the focus for the Catholics who settled in the township in the mid nineteenth century, mostly small selectors of pastoral land in the mid to late nineteenth century. It is also of social significance as a centre for Catholic education. It is of architectural significance for its use of the Gothic revival style to express religious values, for the range of its memorials, and as a comparison with the churches of other denominations in the township.