History
1886 | Railway line opened making possible close settlement in this area. |
1921 | Land bought for the site of the church on corner of Queen and Stuart Streets. Adjoining land subsequently bought for school site at a cost of ₤590 ($1180). |
1922 | Census of Catholics taken. 38 families living within present Parish Boundaries. |
1923 | Archbishop Michael Kelly blessed the foundation stone for the church. Prior to the building of the Church, Mass was celebrated in private homes. |
1924 | Archbishop Kelly opened the Church. Debt to the National Bank ₤3,578-18-10. Classes began in the Church. Sister Thaddeus in charge. The Sisters of Charity were resident at St. Mary’s, Concord and for 13 years traveled daily to Concord West. |
1925 | Move to separate from St. Mary’s Parish defeated in local ballot of Catholic residents. The collection the previous Sunday was ₤1-10-0 ($3.00). |
1929 | St Ambrose Parish separated from St. Mary’s. Father John O’Reilly as Parish Priest. Sr. Blandina in charge of school. Difficult times ahead. Onset of the Great Depression. |
1930 | A cottage in Stuart St. opposite the school was bought and served as a Presbytery until the building of the present Church and Parish House. |
1931 | Father (later Monsignor) Leslie Carroll appointed as Parish Priest. He served the Parish until his death thirty-eight years later. He was the inspiration and motivating force behind the present Church and Presbytery. |
1937 | Cottage in Mackenzie Street bought for use as a Convent. |
1949 | Construction of a school building began. |
1965 | Foundation stone of the new Church laid on 4th April 1965 by Monsignor Carroll. |
1970 | Father Patrick Frost appointed as Parish Priest. Parents and Friends’ Association established. First Parish Council appointed during Fr. Frost’s incumbency. |
1977 | Extensions to the school were made. |
1978 | The last Sisters of Charity leave the school. |
1979 | Father Kevin McGovern appointed as Parish Priest. |
1984 | Father Kerry Bayada appointed as Administrator. Ministry of Acolytes instituted. |
1985 | Father Brian Gallwey appointed as Parish Priest. Antioch group for young parishioners established. |
1995 | Father David Vaughan appointed as Parish Priest. Presbytery converted for greater community use. R.C.I.A. group started. |
2000 | Major School refurbishment undertaken. Old Confessionals in the Church converted to Chapels dedicating Mary MacKillop and Sts Anthony and Lucy. |
2008 | Father Brian Egan appointed Parish Priest. |