ST PATRICK’S AND
ST BRIGID’S CEMETERY
EARLY HISTORY
This 3 acre block was originally part of a 2,000 acre Land Grant made to Lieutenant Percy Simpson in 1826. Surrounded by abundant native forests, and close to the then, permanent fording place over Dora Creek, Simpson cleared this north eastern corner using six assigned convicts, and established a farm.
Over the next 30 years or so, a thriving village community grew associated with the timber industry, the majority being Roman Catholics who banded together and in 1861 built a humble weatherboard church. In 1906 a more substantial brick building was erected and dedicated by The Most Rev Dr Kelly, Coadjutor Archbishop of Sydney.
PIONEER STATISTICS
155 burials during the 1800s
5 of those buried here having been born in the 1700s
TIMELINE
1861 July
1st known burial, Mary Blackford 14 years, killed by a falling tree
1861 Nov
timber church built, also used as Non Vested National School
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1862 June
2nd known burial, Annie Malone 13 years, domestic fire accident
1895 April & May
Mother Mary MacKillop visited the ‘Brown Joey’ teachers
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1895 19 May
Mother Mary McKillop went to mass in the timber church
1906
St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s brick church built – Cletus Taylor
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1982
Cemetery - National Trust listed
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2006
Columbarium built
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2011
150th Celebrations
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2015 May
Celebrations for Saint Mary of the Cross, 120 years since her visit
