ST MATTHEW’S Catholic Church in Windsor is the oldest Catholic Church on the Australian mainland in continuous use.
A dinner dance at Windsor RSL on Friday, September 25, attended by 140 people, opened this year’s celebrations to mark St Matthew’s 175th anniversary.
The 175th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, comprising Father Arthur Cook, Mary Hampshire, Jeanette Holland, Celine McDonald and Di Wilson, assisted by Judy Newland and the parish secretary, Judy Rigg, said they were delighted with the function.
‘‘All 140 people appeared to have a lovely evening in good company with a delicious meal and a great service,’’ Mrs Hampshire said.
‘‘A feeling of warm conviviality pervaded the room and support was generously given towards raising much needed funds for the restoration and preservation of the lovely church, which has served the parishioners of Windsor and surrounds for so long.’’
St Matthew’s has hosted many worshippers over the decades, including generations of local families who were among its first.
‘‘New arrivals in the parish and those wishing to become Catholics can look forward to a warm welcome and friendship in the community,’’ Mrs Hampshire said.
The committee’s next planned activity is to take the framed document from the Vatican, with the seal of Pope Francis bestowing a Papal Blessing on all the people of the parish, around to the three local Catholic schools for students to see and touch.
It is currently on display at St Matthew’s and will be displayed before Mass at the Chisholm Mass Centre in coming weeks, before it is secured to a wall in St Matthew’s.
