History of St
Andrew’s Church, Nimmitabel
by Ursula Smith rsj
This is a brief history
of St Andrew’s Catholic Church, Nimmitabel and a testimony to the
faith and endurance of the pioneers who built the church which is such a
beautiful edifice, built at a time when modern conveniences and
equipment with which we are familiar today, were non existent. It must
be remembered that the history of St Andrew’s cannot be separated from
the history of the Catholic Church on Monaro, formerly known as "Maneroo".
At the conclusion of this article, I shall list the dates and
particulars of historical interest regarding the church. All of the
information herein is authentic, based on records from St Mary’s
Cathedral Sydney, Archives, and from newspaper reports published at the
time of the events in the "Freeman’s Journal", "Maneroo
Mercury", Cooma Express"
The beginnings of our history go back to 1839 when Archbishop Bede
Polding, known as "The Bishop in the Saddle" (because of the
long distances he travelled on horseback visiting isolated communities
of Catholic settlers), established the Queanbeyan Mission. This mission
included Maneroo, Twofold Bay, Bega, Moruya and all of the country in
between.
The number of Catholic
settlers on Monaro had increased greatly, due to the number of Highland
Scots, all Gaelic speaking Catholics, who were taking up pasturing and
shepherding stock in the area. Robert Campbell had immigrated from
Argyllshire in the Scottish Highlands in 1828, and had prospered so much
on his Pialligo Holdings,, "Duntroon" Estate,, and Delegate
Station, that he was able to sponsor and employ other Highlanders whom
he knew were skilled in pasturing sheep,.and cattle because of their
experience in the rugged, isolated, icy glens of the Scottish
Highlands,.
The Diocese of Goulburn did not come into existence until 1864 when Rev.
Bonaventure Geoghegan OFM was appointed first Bishop, but, sadly died
before taking up office, so the first Bishop was William Lanigan
(1867-1900). The first resident Priest in charge of the Queanbeyan
Mission was Father Martin Heston (sometimes written as
"Hastings") Other Priests who ministered on this mission in
the early days were, Father Michael Kavanagh, his brother, Father John
Kavanagh, who returned to Ireland in 1856, Father Richard Walsh and
Father Kenny, later known as Dean Kenny.
Fathers Richard Walsh
and Michael Kavanagh travelled consistently over the Queanbeyan
Mission’s vast areas. Both were active during their careers of
building and setting up churches. Father Walsh completed the old St
Peter and Paul’s Goulburn, which was blessed and opened by Archbishop
Polding in 1849. In 1851 he built the church at Major’s Creek, which
was burnt down and rebuilt in 1868 by Dean O’Brien who had taken
charge of Araluen and Braidwood in 1852. He also built a church at
Collector and the Presbytery at Goulburn, and it is still incorporated
into the present building. Father Michael Kavanagh also did his share of
building. He erected wooden structures at Araluen and Braidwood when
gold was discovered in the area, and about that time too, he built a
church at Cooma. However, the very first church completed on the Monaro,
under Father Michael Kavanagh’s guidance was St Andrew’s,
Nimmitabel. At the time of the blessing of the church, Archbishop
Polding remarked that it was situated on the highest ground of any
church in Australia! It seems that this early church was "of rough
stone with a shingle roof" When Archbishop Polding arrived for the
laying of the Foundation Stone at Nimmitybelle, Father Kavanagh, by some
mistake in dates set down, was away across the Snowy River visiting
outposts. When he received word about the arrival of the Archbishop, he
had to be ferried across the swollen river, by a character called
"Tom, the Devil" to the obvious wit and amusement of the
locals!
By riding night and day
over the mountains, he managed to reach Nimmitybelle in time to assist
his Archbishop.. The visit of Archbishop Polding for the actual opening
of St Andrew’s was probably in November,, as Polding’s custom was to
name the church after the Saint whose Feast day occurred near to that
time. The feast of St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland, was 30
November, and this information would be sustained because of the large
number of Highland Scots , namely McDonalds, Rankins, McPhersons,
Campbells in the area, who were instrumental in urging the building of
the church, which is situated in "Kirke" Street,
"Kirk" being the Scottish word for "Church".
While he was in the
area, Archbishop Polding laid the foundation stone for St Patrick’s,
Cooma. Father Michael Kavanagh had bought a two acre block, having a
frontage on Sharp, Bombala and Commissioner Streets. The church was then
built in stone and was opened towards the end of 1860. In 1869 Dean
Edward O’Brien arrived in Cooma, as Priest in Charge of the Cooma
Mission, and he considered the old church was not a fitting place for
the worship of God. In 1873, records show, Dean O’Brien called a
meeting in Cooma to discuss plans for the erection of a new church. Dean
O’Brien said, "About twenty years ago you built a church which
has become ‘unchurchly’!" At the same meeting, Archibald
Montague, telling of his trips around the country, gathering funds with
Father Kavanagh, said, "It is twenty one years since Archbishop
Polding laid the foundation stone of the old building which we are now
going to replace." In September of that year, Dean O’Brien bought
twelve allotments of land for church purposes on a block with surveyed
frontages on Vale, Egan, Murray and Soho Streets. The site of the
present St Patrick’s Parish Church, School, Presbytery and Brigidine
Convent- this was the beginnings of the St Patrick’s Parish Centre we
know today. At the time the Cooma Mission was a vast scattered area,
including, Cooma, Eucumbene, Middlingbank, Adaminaby, Bolero, Kiandra,
Cottage Creek, Rose Valley, Rose Brook, Billylingra, Nimmitybelle. Mass
was celebrated at each of these stations every two months. This area was
served by Father Michael Kavanagh, and then Father Charles Bernard Quinn
who was transferred from Raymond Terrace to take up duties on the Cooma
Mission.
St Andrew’s was
definitely the first Catholic Church on Monaro, but the original
building was of rough stone, and soon needed to be rebuilt to
accommodate growing numbers of parishioners. In 1863 records show that
tenders were called for the rebuilding of St Andrew’s , and the
foundation stone was blessed and laid by Father Patrick Newman, the then
Priest in Charge of the Cooma Mission. To quote from the
"Freeman’s Journal", 5 May, 1863. "New Roman Catholic
Church, Nimmitybelle" "The numerous readers of the
"Mercury" are aware that the tenders have been called for the
erection of a church in this town, and we are glad to be able to state
that, on 18th of last month, the Rev. P. Newman accepted the
tender of our worthy and energetic townsman, John Geldmacher. The
present contract which includes the whole of the mason’s and
carpenter’s work, is to be completed in nine months, for the sum of
five hundred and twenty five pounds.
The style of the
edifice will be Gothic, the nave will be about 60 feet long, and 25 feet
wide, provision being made thereby, for the prolongation of the church
at a future period. As the people of Nimitybelle are liberally
subscribed to the Cooma church, and other local purposes, we are sure
that the residents of Monaro will kindly help them in their good work.
It is indeed, a matter of great surprise to everyone acquainted with the
circumstances of the people of Nimitybelle and Monaro, generally, that a
commodious church was not erected in this town as far back as ten or
twelve years ago. Already three hundred pounds have been collected for
this building by our energetic Pastor." Maneroo "Mercury"
In 1865, the Cooma
correspondent for the Goulburn "Argus", under date of
September 25th, thus notices the opening of St Andrew’s
Church. "The newly built church at Nimitybelle, was opened for the
first time, yesterday, Sunday. The Rev. P. Newman having kindly
consented to come from Bombala to assist at the ceremony. The site seems
to have been well chosen, commanding a complete view of the surrounding
country. The building itself is a very chaste and durable one, and
reflects much credit on the architect, Rev. P. Newman. His hopes for the
future of Nimitybelle must be highly flattering to the residents of that
locality, for not only is the sacred edifice capable of containing any
reasonable increase in population, but it may, at any time, without
injuring its symmetrical proportion, be largely extended.
Long before the hour
for divine service arrived, an unusually large number of persons from
outlying districts, as well as from the town, had gathered to the
church. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Michael Kavanagh, at the
conclusion of which, the Rev. P. Newman ascended the steps of the altar
and delivered a sermon as eloquent and impressive as any to which many
of us have ever had the pleasure to listen. I believe, the Rev. Michael
Kavanagh, intends next week, to send to St Mary’s Cathedral Building
Fund the sum of 420 pounds, as a first instalment. This speaks well for
the generosity of this district at a time when everyone is suffering
severely from want of rain and other causes."
In 1861 Father Patrick
Newman had handed the Cooma Mission to Archdeacon McEnroe and
transferred to Bombala to begin negotiations for the building of a stone
church there. This old stone church was superseded by the present St
Mary’s Church, Bombala opened in 1941.
In 1859 the Rev.
William Lanigan arrived from Ireland to minister on the Queanbeyan
Mission, and the Diocese of Goulburn was established in 1864. Following
the sudden death of Bonaventure Geoghegan OFM who had been appointed
Bishop but never took up office, the Rev. William Lanigan was appointed
first Bishop from 1867-1900. Fathers Michael Kavanagh and Richard Walsh
had been very active in collecting funds throughout the whole vast
mission area, to help finance the education of Priests in Irish
Colleges. These Priests, once ordained, would come to Australia and
minister in the Goulburn Diocese and the scattered Cooma Mission area.
Since Father Patrick
Newman had transferred to Bombala in 1861 as Priest in Charge, he
apparently continued to minister to the Nimitybelle section of the
Mission, for we note that it was he, who called for tenders for the
rebuilding of St Andrew’s Church in 1863 and he preached at the
ceremony of the blessing and opening of the Church on 25 September,
1865.. Bombala was declared a Parish in 1864 and Nimitybelle remained an
outstation of Bombala Parish until 1977, when Nimmitabel was transferred
into the pastoral care of the Parish Priest of Cooma, Dean P. Coffey.
To quote from a report
published in "The Men of the ‘38 and Other Pioneer Priests"
by John O’Brien. And some extracts from "The Bishop in the
Saddle" by the same author, we hear about Polding’s visit to
Bombala in 1868.
"On Sunday March
8, His Grace Archbishop Polding consecrated the new Chapel in the
presence of a large congregation, we believe one of the largest ever
assembled in Bombala. There could not have been less than one hundred
and fifty present to witness the ceremony. It was one that will remain
long in the minds of this portion of the Monaro."
It was reported that
March 9 was spent by the Archbishop preparing candidates for
Confirmation, examining them and hearing Confessions. So Confirmation
was celebrated during this visit.
On the return journey
from Bombala to Cooma, where a big meeting regarding the question of
Catholic Education was to take place, Polding travelled again via
Nimmitybelle. The following is a report from the "Freeman’s
Journal" indicating the reverence and affection the people had for
the Archbishop himself and for his office. The Archbishop’s escort on
the long journey had a unique flavour typical of Nimmitybelle, and the
predominantly Scottish culture there at the time. Loyalty to the Prelate
and to the Church was expressed in traditional Highland Scottish
cultural style, by which an honoured guest is feted.
"From Bombala to
Nimmitybelle, somewhere between fifty and sixty miles, over beautiful
rolling, undulating country, we came in grand procession. The McDonald
Clan led by Chieftain and Pipers dressed in their traditional kilts, had
the post of honour, and so seated in carts the pipers played their
pipes. The Archbishop followed accompanied by Priests. Then came the
Clan in colourful kilts and Highland dress, and they were followed by
about eighty horsemen. Near Rocky Flat the cavalcade was met by the
Cooma people into whose charge His Ghrace and Party were duly delivered.
It was a beautiful sight. The Cooma horsemen above two hundred in number
divided, each man standing by his horse bareheaded, and then reverently
knelt for His Grace’s Blessing. The Nimmitybelle Clan followed , and
then, wheeling around, fell to the rear, and so we came on to Rock Flat
where refreshments were prepared. We then proceeded towards Cooma,
upwards of three hundred horsemen and some in carriages. His Grace was
received here amidst the greatest manifestation of enthusiasm."
This was the Maneroo
that Polding looked on with delight...."a fine open country with
people altogether fitted to it. The climate is delightful, hot in the
middle of the day, but freezing conditions at other times...."
The people of
Nimmitybelle constantly urged the Archbishop to make Nimmitybelle the
centre Parish and in a letter of 18 July, 1907, from St Mary’s
Cathedral Sydney, came, as a mixed surprise to the Pastor of Bombala,
Father Moore. Quote: "...I have forwarded the names to the Under
Secretary of Lands for the Catholic portion of the cemetery. I hope,
after some weeks to erect the new Parish of Nimmitybelle. I suppose the
present Convent would have to be used as a Presbytery. Could a
convenient site be got for the Convent and school? Yours faithfully,
Patrick Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney."
After some
correspondence the Cardinal settled the matter as follows: A new school
was to be built so that the Church where the school had been conducted
could be repaired after the wear and tear of children, at the time 120
in number. By October 1907 things were ready for the laying of the
Memorial Stone, and as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev.
Michael Kelly DD was passing through to Bega to conduct a similar
ceremony at Bemboka, he was asked, and consented to ,perform the
ceremony at Nimmitabel.
Extensions to St Andrew’s Church, foretold by Father Patrick Newman in
1865, came into reality on 6 October, 1917 when the Foundation Stone for
the addition of a new Sacristy and Sanctuary was blessed and laid by the
Rev. J. Norris, Parish Priest of Cooma. Father J. A. Roche Parish Priest
of Bombala was the Priest in Charge at the time.
April 7, 1918 saw a
large gathering at St Andrew’s Church, as the following extract from
the "Cooma Express" states: Yesterday, may be justly termed
"A Red Letter Day" for the Catholics of Nimmitabel. The old
historic church of St Andrew’s was built over sixty years ago, and was
a structure of rough stone with a shingle roof. For want of repair in
past years, the old church fell into a dilapidated condition. Soon after
the Rev. John A Roche assumed charge of Bombala Parish twelve months
ago, he started a movement for the completion of the Church. A contract
for 850 Pounds was let and successfully carried out by Mr. Mawson of
Cooma. For this sum a new Sanctuary and Sacristy have been added to the
Church, the shingle roof supplemented by iron, and the whole exterior
and interior of the building renovated. Not content with this, the Rev.
J.A. Roche, whose genial disposition and pleasing manner have won for
him the esteem and admiration, not only of the Catholics, but also non
Catholics in his parish, made an appeal two months ago to have the
interior of the Church newly furnished in memory of the dead. The appeal
met with generous response, for articles to the value of two hundred
Pounds have been handed in."
Earlier in the history
of St Andrew’s , a small stone building had been erected on the block
near the Church. It was for the accommodation of the Priest when he came
to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments and travelled up from Bombala . The
railway had been built by 1913 and the line terminated at Bombala. The
stone building was a cold bleak one, and the locals jokingly referred to
it as "The Morgue"!. The Nimmitabel community decided to build
a new Presbytery, and Terry Buckley, Athol Blyton and Noel Anderson were
the builders. This building was blessed and opened in 1955 and served
well until 1977 when Nimmitabel was transferred into the pastoral care
of the Cooma Parish Priest. With good motor transport available, and an
excellent sealed road to Cooma, the Presbytery was no longer needed as
the Priest’s residence, and subsequently the community decided to rent
out the cottage.
Education-School-
Convent- Josephite Sisters.
To begin a study of
this part of St Andrew’s history, we have to go back to the early days
when Nimmitabel was part of the Queanbeyan Mission in the district of
Maneroo. Fathers Michael Kavanagh and Richard Walsh besides building
churches, mostly primitive timber structures, had great concern for the
Catholic education of the children of this vast ly scattered area. They
built school buildings called Denominational schools. Due to there being
no means of education in the town of Nimmitybelle, in 1867 an
application was made to the Council for Education which administered
education between 1867-1880, for a Public School to be established in
the town. However, some of those who had put their names to the
application had second thoughts. These people were Catholics, and the
larger number in the population were of the Catholic Faith, so they
withdrew their support and had father Michael Kavanagh apply for a
Denominational school. This application was rejected, as the Public
School Education Act at the time stated, "...a Denominational
School may only be established in a locality where a Public School is
already in existence, and not within two miles of such a school unless
attendance of pupils of both schools is in excess of 120." By 1869,
however, a Provisional school had been established by Dean White, and
was in the hands of Mr. J. Whyte. There were 29 children enrolled and
the Council for Education paid him a sum of 48 Pounds per annum. This
Provisional School continued for some years and was conducted in the
Church. To quote from Nimmitabel Public School’s records: (A report
from Inspector McIntyre 1871) "This school is conducted in the
Roman Catholic Chapel, which is a substantial stone building. There are
no closets nor fencing, but the supply of furniture, apparatus and books
is nearly sufficient. The cleanliness, order and attention require much
improvement, and attainment of pupils is small." A report in 1875
from Inspector Maynard stated that there had been a great improvement.
"...For the first time for many years, the school has been
admirably governed. The discipline is good, but those of the pupils who
had been hitherto spoiled by indulgence, do not take kindly to obedient
and industrious habits," In 1880 the report states that the
building was rented from Rev. T. Keating, the then Parish Priest of
Bombala. The Denominational school closed some time after this because,
legally, the number of children attending was too great for such a
Provisional School.
Mary MacKillop’s
relatives, the McDonalds , were pioneers of Nimmitybelle area, and she
visited them and stayed with them whenever passing through on her way to
other established Convents and schools where the Josephite Sisters
already worked. She was very aware of the great number of Catholic
children in the area, as she had numerous cousins here. When she was
requested to send Sisters here, she responded to the need and to the
request.. In 1901 tenders were called for the erection of a Convent. The
lowest tender came from I. McArthur of Cooma for 450 Pounds. He got the
contract and work commenced at once. The Foundation Stone was laid on
Sunday, 26 January, 1902. The "Freeman’s Journal" 1
February, 1902 reported the following:
",..The . township
of Nimitybelle was crowded last Sunday on the occasion of the laying of
the Foundation Stone of the new Convent. Visitors were present from
Cooma, Bombala, Delegate and surrounding centres. Rev. Father Gunning of
Cooma was deputed by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, to officiate. He laid
and blessed the Foundation Stone, and in a subsequent address spoke of
the necessity of religious training in schools. He said Catholics were
unfairly treated in the matter of education, as they carried on the
schools at their own expense, without any assistance from the
Government. Catholics took a burden off the shoulders of the Government
in educating 23,800 children without a penny of expense to the
Government. The Public School Inspectors could visit the Catholic
schools and see for themselves if the education was up to the required
standard. The State should not pay for the Religious, but for the
secular education imparted. Some people said the priests should have an
opportunity of visiting the State schools once a week to give religious
instruction, and if other denominations considered a half hour a week
sufficient for religious instruction, Roman Catholics were not of the
same opinion.. In urging Catholics to send their children to the Convent
school, he added that the religious convictions of Protestant children
who attended would not be interfered with. He asked for liberal
contributions, and 51 Pounds were placed on the Foundation Stone.. Mr.
O. Silk acted as Hon. Secretary, and Father Norris, Parish Priest of
Bombala, as Treasurer."
A further interesting
report from the "Freeman’s Journal" dated 10 May, 1902
states the following:
"The Convent at
Nimitybelle has just been completed, and will be officially opened and
blessed by Archbishop Kelly. A Ball to celebrate the opening was held in
the School of Arts on Friday. The proceeds are expected to reach 45
Pounds. The Convent is situated on a prominent hill just outside the
township. From it a splendid view of Mt. Kosciusko can be obtained. The
architect is Mr. G. Cochran of Cooma and the contractor is Mr. Mellor of
Sydney.. Three Sisters of St Joseph have arrived and have taken up their
duties. The building cost about 700 Pounds of which about 250 Pounds
needs to be liquidated. A Juvenile Dance last Saturday evening in aid of
the same object was very successful."
The first community of
Sisters moved into the Convent on 8 May, 1902, and on the opening day of
the school 90 children were enrolled. The Sisters conducted the school
in the Church. The St Joseph’s School building was completed and put
into use immediately in 1907
Because so many
children lived on isolated properties far from the little township , the
Sisters took in boarders from the surrounding area. By 1922 room for the
increasing number of boarders became quite cramped due to heavy demand,
so it was decided to extend the Convent by adding a large dormitory.
Extract from the "Freeman’s Journal" July 6, 1922.
St Joseph’s Convent-
Dean Norris blesses and opens the additions. "On Sunday afternoon
last, a very large gathering of all denominations asse mbled in the
grounds of St Joseph’s Convent, Nimmitabel, to witness the solemn
blessing and opening of the new additions by the Rev. Dean Norris,
Parish Priest of Cooma. The Rev. John Roche who is the first Australian
native born Priest to be in charge of the Bombala Parish assisted Dean
Norris. During Fr. Roche’s past term of six years in charge of the
parish of Bombala, he has spent over 7000Pounds in the erection and
improvement of church buildings in the parish. The Convent at
Nimmitybelle needed more accommodation for boarders, and, Father Roche
during the past two months, has had an extra large dormitory with two
additional rooms added to the Convent, and Sunday last saw the blessing
and opening of these additions."
After the ceremony of
blessing, Father Roche in welcoming the Dean, said that he felt proud of
the good work of the Nuns in the school at Nimmitabel, for last year, in
annual examinations of Catholic Schools in both Dioceses of Goulb urn
and Wagga Wagga, the inspector had given the honour of first excellent
school in the two Dioceses, to the Sisters of St Joseph, Nimmitabel. The
school had won the great honour and he hoped was going to retain it for
years to come. Father Roche then congratulated the residents of
Nimmitabel for their grand spirit of unity, and the Protestants as well
as the Catholics for their loyalty to the Convent."
Father John Roche while
administering in this part of the Parish became very well known. Quite
often his sermons were Headlines in the "Nimmitabel News",
"Freeman’s Journal". "Sydney Sun", "Fair
Play", "Bombala Times", "Delegate Argus",
"Queanbeyan Age", and "Cooma Express". Also letters
in the "Melbourne Age". Some of the topics he drew attention
to, were The Orange Lodge, The Divorce Bill, Why Catholics attend Mass
in such great numbers, and his disagreement with the Anglican Bishop
Radford over raffles.
Sadly, by the 1970's
the population of Nimmitabel was declining, and the numbers in the
school became less and less each year. In 1982, the Catholic Education
Office decided the school was no longer viable and St Joseph’s School
closed at the end of that year, with some students travelling to St
Patrick’s School Cooma, while others transferred to Nimmitabel Public
School. The Sisters of St Joseph remained in the Convent continuing the
Catechetical work of teaching children in the State schools. This was
termed the "Motor Mission". During the construction of the
Snowy Mountains Scheme, the Sisters of St Joseph lived and taught in
various Snowy Mountains camp villages and settlements, such as
Eaglehawk, Kiandra, Cabramurra, Jindabyne, then they continued to reside
in Nimmitabel and travelled to teach the children and prepare for the
Sacraments wherever the Snowy settlements were situated. When the
building of the Snowy Scheme came to an end, and small settlements were
stabilised ,the Sisters continued to travel to schools, in Cooma,
Numeralla, Adaminaby, Cabramurra, Berridale, Jindabyne, Nimmitabel,
Bombala, Delegate, Bungarby and other smaller schools in between. The
"Motor Mission" was the beginning of the Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine ( CCD Office) now at Manuka, in Canberra. Catechists
are trained and assisted to continue the work of the Sisters throughout
the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn.
The population of the
township of Nimmitabel is small in numbers the Public School has
decreased in enrolment to 23 students, with, approximately 14 Catholics
attending. Thus, the community of St Andrew’s is also small in
numbers, but very faithful, and that same community is still challenged
to keep the maintenance of St Andrew’s Church and the Church buildings
in first class condition. Members of the closely knit community who have
been forced to move elsewhere for employment and to establish homes, are
always welcome "home" when they visit. Since Nimmitabel is on
the main road, to Canberra, to Cooma, the Snow Resorts, the Coast, and
to Sydney, there is a great possibility that Nimmitabel will have a
resurgence of growth in population as tourism will surely thrive in the
future.
St Andrew’s Church,
high on the hill at Nimmitabel is more than an historic landmark, May it
remain a beacon of Hope and Faith, and may it always be a reminder of
the Faith of our Forebears, and inspire all who pass by to give thanks
and praise to our Creator God from whom all blessings flow.
Sister Ursula Smith,
Nimmitabel February 2003
WITNESSES
IN STONE
St
Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, Nimmitabel
The
first stone church in Nimmitabel was St Andrew’s, built in 1863. There
is a belief that Nimmitabel was the site of the first Catholic Church on
the Monaro, it having been built in 1856.
The Sydney Morning Herald of
27 July 1863 states “The foundation stone of the new RC Church at
Nimitybelle was laid by Reverend P Newman, Pastor of Cooma on the 14
inst. There was a large attendance at the ceremony. The style of
architecture is Gothic, and the edifice is considered a pleasing
addition to this rising township”
The
advent of a rough stone church with a shingle roof in the Nimmitabel of
1863 would indeed have been a “pleasing addition” to the town.
Speaking in 1912 of St Andrew’s, the late Mr William Hayes recalled
that “Archbishop Polding visited the district in 1866. The Church was
then competed, and the Archbishop dedicated it. He was accompanied by Fr
Coletti, an Italian, and the late Dean Slattery. The foundation stone of
the church at Nimitybelle was laid by the Rev Fr Newman, assisted by Dr
Kavanagh, on or about 14 April 1863, the late John Geldmacher being the
contractor. The masons who built it were Beileiter, father and son from
Bombala.
By
1917 St Andrew’s was too small for its congregations and in need of
renovation. On October 6 of that year the foundation stone of additions
was set by the Very Reverend Fr JJ Norris PP, VF, of Cooma, The local
parish priest Fr JA Roche of Bombala was absent on sick leave at the
time. The work took six months and was completed in April 1918, In the
process of extending St Andrew’s, the stone walls were plastered over
with cement, a new sanctuary and sacristy were added and the roof
covered in iron. The cost of this work was 850 pounds. The contractor
was the ubiquitous Mawson of Cooma.
If
the St Andrew’s of 1863 could be described as a “pleasing
addition” to Nimmitabel, how much more does this church enhance the
town today?
-
This
excerpt is taken from WITNESSES IN STONE with the permission of
the author William Stegemann,
Rathdowney QLD
