Adelaide - Stained glass window in memory of Jeremiah Twohig, Mary Twohig and their deceased relatives and friends. Roman Catholic Church of St Patrick. South Australia

            Church of St Patrick
The original Church of St Patrick built on this site when the foundation stone was laid 12 December 1845: and demolished 1959 (now playing courts and car park) was the first Catholic Church in the city of Adelaide. The very first Catholic Church in South Australia was built on one acre of land in Morphett Vale, donated by Alexander Anderson who was a non-Catholic gentleman: where the foundation stone was laid 18 July 1845.

The present day Church of Saint Patrick was completed in 1914, while the original building was demolished in 1959 because of salt damp. 
St Patrick’s has been described as one of the most impressive churches in the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

Church of St Patrick was the principal place of Catholic worship in Adelaide until Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral opened in Wakefield Street in 1858. Alterations to the original simple stone church included the addition of a chancel in 1859–1860 and a tower, designed by architects Wright and Hamilton, in 1876. By then St Patrick’s was the parish church for residents in the west of the city.

By the early twentieth century St Patricks was too small for its congregation. A much larger building (apparently based on the Church of the Holy Spirit in Florence) was designed by the architects Woods and Bagot. The original plan as proposed by Walter Hervey Bagot included a large dome and sacristy, but these aspects of the Renaissance style building were not implemented due to limited funds and the commencement of the First World War.

The foundation stone for the new church was laid 10 November 1912. An estimated 10,000 people attended the ceremony on the corner of Gray Street and Grote Street. The completed church was dedicated on 15 March 1914. 

Constructed of stone and brick, St Patrick's is Classical-neo Baroque in style, based on a Brunelleschi composition. Architecturally important because it is an early design of W H Bagot, an important South Australian architect noted for his attention to architectural history and accuracy of detail.

Today the church is used for services in languages other than English, including Portugese and Croatian.

*Sunday June 16 last, a meeting of the congregation was held, over which the Archbishop presided to consider the tenders received. A resolution was carried that the tender of Mr W.B.Bland be accepted, as Mr Bland is recognized as a capable contractor.

*St Patrick’s Church
Foundation Stone Laid
An exceedingly large number of adherents of the Roman Catholic Church assembled at St Patrick's Park, West terrace, on Sunday afternoon, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of St Patrick's Church, by the Archbishop (Most Rev Dr O'Reily). Prior to the ceremony a long procession, comprising men and youths from various parishes in the metropolitan area, marched from St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, in Wakefield Street, headed by the Guild Band, and representatives of the Hibernian and Australian Catholic Benefit Society. 
The Irish Pipers' Band was also present. The Archbishop, assisted by Monsignors Nevin and Byrne, and others, proceeded to the site of the altar in the new structure and blessed it, and the formal ceremony at the foundation stone was then proceeded with, in view of the large crowd.

*A Successful Opening
The whole Roman Catholic community of the metropolitan area and the nearer country towns were in a state of excitement on Sunday, on the occasion of the opening and dedication of the new Church of St Patrick, which, besides being a novel and beautiful work in Adelaide church architecture, marks an important  forward movement on the part of the church.    
The formal blessing and dedication of the new structure was performed in the presence of a large gathering by the Right Rev Mgr Byrne, Vicar-General, assisted by the Rev P Hurley.

At 11am the new church was opened by the Archbishop (Most Rev Dr O’Reily), who was supported by Mgr Byrne and Arch-Priest Nevin, to whose efforts much of the success of the work has been due. Dr O’Reily, despite physical weakness, which prevented him from fulfilling his intention to be present also at the afternoon service, delivered an inspiring address.

References:
Church of St Patrick story board
Australian Christian Church Histories
History of the Catholic Church in South Australia: F Byrne DD VG
Journal (Adelaide) Monday 16-3-1914Advertiser (Adelaide) 2-11-1912
Journal (Adelaide) 11-11-1912
   

Taken on: May 19, 2007

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