Roman Catholic Church Group, Toodyay facts for kids

The Roman Catholic Church Group in Toodyay, Western Australia is a special collection of buildings. It is located on Stirling Terrace and is owned by the Catholic Church. This land became Catholic property in November 1861 in the new town of Newcastle, which we now call Toodyay. Over the years, many important buildings were built here, starting in the early 1860s and continuing until 1963.

Here are some of the buildings that were built on this site:

• The first St John the Baptist Church, built in 1863. It was used until 1963.
• Dr Growse's House, built in the early 1860s.
• St Aloysius Convent of Mercy, built in 1903.
• St Aloysius Convent of Mercy School Classrooms and Boys Boarding House, built in 1920.
• Catholic Presbytery, built in 1923.
• St Aloysius Convent of Mercy School Classrooms and Girls Boarding House, built in 1929.
• The current St John the Baptist Church, built in 1963.

History of the Church Group

Ruins of Sancta Maria in Old Toodyay around 1909

Early Beginnings in Toodyay

In 1855, Bishop Rosendo Salvado visited the Toodyay area. He wanted to start a Catholic community there. He chose Canon Raphael Martelli to be the local priest. People started building a church in Old Toodyay in 1856. Volunteers helped with the work. The first stone was laid in 1857. The building was finished in 1858. This church, called the Church of Sancta Maria, was blessed in January 1859.

In 1860, the town of Newcastle was created. This was because Old Toodyay often flooded. The new town, now called Toodyay, was built in a safer spot.

New Church and School Growth

Father Francis Salvado asked for builders to create a new church in Newcastle in 1862. The first St John the Baptist Church was ready for Christmas in 1864. By 1874, a Catholic school was also running. It was in a room behind the church and taught about 30 children.

In 1884, three Sisters of Mercy came from Perth. They took over teaching the Catholic children. They set up a temporary convent in a part of Mr. & Mrs. Hassell's home. A few months later, they opened a school in Leeder's House. This building used to belong to William Leeder.

Sisters of Mercy and New Buildings

In 1889, the old home of Dr Growse was sold. The Catholic Bishop of Perth bought it for the sisters to use. This house was across the road from St John the Baptist Church. The Sisters of Mercy were able to buy the building themselves in 1902. They then moved out of the Leeder property.

The Sisters of Mercy received a lot of help from the Connor family. This support helped them continue their work. In 1903, they finished their first big project. It was a two-storey convent and school. The Sisters kept using the Growse building. Later, it became an infant school and music classrooms.

The St Aloysius Convent of Mercy school grew bigger. A two-storey boys' boarding house was built in 1920. In 1923, a modern presbytery was built for the parish priest. It was across the road from the church. In 1929, a new single-storey girls' boarding house officially opened.

In 1942, newspapers like The West Australian mentioned the school. They called it Avondown High School.

Modern Church and School Closure

In 1956, Redmond Prendiville, the Catholic Archbishop of Perth, wanted a more modern church. For the next 5½ years, people worked hard to raise money. In 1963, the new St John the Baptist Church was built. It was located near the Convent of Mercy.

On November 17, 1963, the last Mass was held in the old church. The Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Miles McKeon, led the service. After a lunch, the new church was blessed and opened. The new church cost about £9,400.

On December 3, 1971, Lancelot Goody, Archbishop of Perth, wrote to the Sisters of Mercy. He told them that St Aloysius Convent School would close soon. In early 1972, the Sisters of Mercy Avondown Complex in Toodyay closed. The Sisters continued their other work until 1974. From 1973 to 1983, they ran educational camps at the Avondown Centre.

Changes and New Uses

In 1985, the Catholic Education Commission took over the site. On January 6, 1985, four Sisters of Mercy left Toodyay. Only two Sisters remained living there.

In 1986, the Catholic Education Commission announced plans. They wanted to keep running the Avondale Centre as a camp for groups. The dormitories were to be changed into smaller sleeping units. An old house was also to be fixed up. In 1995, the Avondown Centre stopped being a camp. For a short time, it was used for events.

In January 1999, Avondown became a friary. It was for the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. In June 2003, the Sisters of Mercy left Toodyay. They had been there for 119 years. On November 16 of that year, the Friars hosted a reunion. Past students of St Aloysius School came to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Heritage Listing

Recognizing Historical Importance

The site was officially recognized by the National Trust in 1977. This means it is considered an important historical place.