History

1886Railway 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).
1922Census of Catholics taken. 38 families living within present Parish Boundaries.
1923Archbishop Michael Kelly blessed the foundation stone for the church. Prior to the building of the Church, 
Mass was celebrated in private homes.
1924Archbishop 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.
1925Move 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).
1929St 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.
1930A 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.
1937Cottage in Mackenzie Street bought for use as a Convent.
1949 Construction of a school building began.
1965Foundation stone of the new Church laid on 4th April 1965 by Monsignor Carroll.
1970Father Patrick Frost appointed as Parish Priest. Parents and Friends’ Association established. First Parish Council appointed during Fr. Frost’s incumbency.
1977Extensions to the school were made.
1978The last Sisters of Charity leave the school.
1979Father Kevin McGovern appointed as Parish Priest.
1984Father Kerry Bayada appointed as Administrator. Ministry of Acolytes instituted.
1985Father Brian Gallwey appointed as Parish Priest. Antioch group for young parishioners established. 
1995Father David Vaughan appointed as Parish Priest.
Presbytery converted for greater community use. R.C.I.A. group started.
2000Major School refurbishment undertaken.
Old Confessionals in the Church converted to Chapels dedicating Mary MacKillop and Sts Anthony and Lucy.
2008Father Brian Egan appointed Parish Priest.