Roman Catholic Church Tambaroora

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Data was last added to this page on the
28 February 2026

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

(Information to be added when found)

The First Church - 1854

The first Church was built on what would become Lot 4 of the suburban lands of the Town of Tambaroora.

Cropped image (a2823008) from the Holtermann Collection
Courtesy of the State Library of NSW

The first Church was built by community input from donations.

Source: ^{(139) Pg.10, dtd 28 Oct 1854}
Newspapers by TROVE, National Library of Australia

and ongoing subscriptions in the later part of 1854.

Source: ^{(007) Pg.3, 16 Dec 1854}
Newspapers by TROVE, Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

Further subscriptions were made again in early 1855 towards its completion.

Source: ^{(007) Pg.3, 3^rd Mar 1855}
Newspapers by TROVE, Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

Clergy of the Church

1854 - Reverend Father KUMS ^{(007) Page 3, 16 Dec 1854}

1871 saw a visit by the Right Reverend Dr. Quinn, Bishop of Bathurst for the purpose of a Confirmation the following day.

Source: ^{(002) Pg.2, dtd 27 Sep 1871}
Digitised Newspapers by TROVE, National Library of Australia

The exact location of the Church is currently unknown but it was noted in a newspaper article upon the opening of the new Church in 1873 that it was only a short walk between the two Churches.

The Second Church "Saint Agatha's" - 1873

A Bazaar was held at Easter 1873 to raise funds for the new Church.

Source: ^{(139) Pg.6, dtd 27 Dec 1873}
Newspapers by TROVE, National Library of Australia

It was located on Lot 4, a suburban lot within the Town's boundary. The laying of the foundation stone took place in December 1873 by Bishop Dr. Quinn.

Source: ^{(139) Pg.9, 6 Dec 1873}
Newspapers by TROVE, Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

Prior to the formalities of the laying of the stone, the Very Reverend D.J. D'Arcy read an address to his Lordship Doctor Quinn.

Source: ^{(139) Pg.7, 13 Dec 1873}
Newspapers by TROVE, Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

Fund raising continued for the building of the Church even though it had been completed, activities were held as far a field as Hargraves.

Source: ^{(139) Pg.10, dtd 31 Oct 1874}
Newspapers by TROVE, National Library of Australia

Little is known of its construction but the architect was Edward Gell. Gell was a well known architect of Bathurst, an entry in his note/sketchbook for the Church noted "Brick 45 x 20 feet, to cost £400" ⁽⁸²⁵⁾, evidence of red bricks still remain at the site of the Church.

In 1891 questions were raised in the NSW Parliament regarding the legal aspects of the ground upon which the Church was situated, it was realised that although an area had been allocated for the Church on Lot 4 the area had not been dedicated nor was a Deed issued.

Source: ^{(002) Pg.3, 21 Aug 1891}
Newspapers by TROVE, Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

The Crown Land on which the Church was located was dedicated on the 28^th November 1893.

Source: ^{(391) No.813, Pg.9050, 28 Nov 1893}
NSW Government Gazettes by TROVE
Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

The 9^th February 1894 saw the land granted for a Roman Catholic Church on Suburban Lot 4 within the Town boundary ⁽⁴⁷⁶⁾. The Grant being made in retrospect as was the case with other Churches and Cemeteries in and around Tambaroora.

The following persons were appointed Trustee's:

BYRNE Joseph Patrick, D.D. The Right Reverend
DORAN Patrick Joseph, Reverend
CULLEN William
MAHER John
FLYNN Thomas

Source: ^{(295) No.82, Pg.853, 9 Feb 1894}
NSW Government Gazettes by TROVE, Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

Demolition of the Church

Source: ^{(824) 3 May 2022}
Catholic Chancery Archives Bathurst

MAPS

(To be Continued)