St. Patrick’s Parish in Katanning celebrates 100 years

St Patrick’s Parish Church will celebrate 100 years of history since its opening in 1923, later this month.

Drawing on a rich history since its construction, the event will highlight key dates and influential people who have been pillars in the building’s tenure.

On Sunday, August 27, current parish priest Father Marlon Chingwangco will lead the St Patrick’s Primary School family and centenary celebration Mass.

Memorabilia and antiques from the parish’s earliest era will be displayed in the school hall before a sausage sizzle lunch and cake is provided by the church.

The commemoration will also pay homage to Ainslie Evans, who catalogued and maintained church archives in years past.

Archbishop Patrick Clune blessed and opened the parish on August 19, 1923.

In 1962, generous donations from the church’s parishioners funded extensive renovations to the building to reveal the current church.

It was reopened and consecrated by Reverend Goody on August 10, 1962, becoming the second church in WA to do so.

Father John Bonato is the only priest to have been ordained at the church, In 1965.

The windows in the top storey of the church are the same ones from the initial build 100 years ago, and are only visible from the inside.