Sacred Heart Church, Murwillumbah

Sacred Heart Church, Murwillumbah

A Notable Building.

GENEROUS DONATIONS.

Catholic Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW: 1932 - 1942), Thursday 4 November 1937, page 9

The blessing and laying of the foundation-stone of the new Church of the Sacred Heart, Murwillumbah, which was performed in the presence of a large gathering by His Lordship the Bishop of Lismore (The Most Rev. John Carroll, D.D.), marked the realisation of a fond wish which had found practical expression in the heart of a former parish priest of the town, the late Monsignor M. Quinn. The new edifice, which will cost £14,500, will be a fitting reflection of the enthusiasm and zeal of the Catholic people of the Tweed, and in design will be second in the Diocese only to the cathedral in Lismore.

"To-day's ceremony, dedicated to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, adds the brightest gem to the crown of the golden jubilee celebrations in the Diocese," declared his Lordship when addressing a congregation of about 800 in the Church prior to the ceremony. The new church would be a holy place, a place of sacrifice, the House of God, the very gate of Heaven, added his Lordship.

The church was packed for the 10 a.m. Mass, which preceded the ceremony.

"It is my duty and privilege to have part with the Venerable Archpriest Fitzpatrick and his people in the laying and blessing of the foundation stone of the new church dedicated to the Sacred Heart at Murwillumbah," said his Lordship in an address to the parishioners. 'The late Monsignor Quinn for some years had been eagerly looking forward and carefully preparing for the day when Murwillumbah should raise a church that would worthily give expression to Catholic faith and due praise and thanksgiving to God. To the Venerable Archpriest Fitzpatrick and his people, to the architect (Mr. Austin McKay), so well and favorably known for his excellent work in the diocese, to the builder (Mr. J. Sutton) and to the workmen on the job my good wishes go out with fervent prayer that God may bless and prosper their work and bring it to a happy and perfect completion."

Impressive Ceremony

The parishioners then adjourned to the site of the new church, where the ceremony of blessing and laying the foundation-stone was carried out in a most impressive manner by Bishop Carroll.

Following the ceremony, opportunity was taken to present to his Lordship the silver trowel which had been used by him in the setting of the stone.

Archpriest Fitzpatrick, who presided, expressed the hope that all would remember in their prayers the late Monsignor Quinn, whose life work the establishment of a new church had been. The late Monsignor had left his life's savings and all the money he had received from friends and relatives to be used towards the establishment of this new building.

"I would be very ungrateful if I did not mention his memory and thank him publicly to-day," said the Archpriest.

Continuing, Archpriest Fitzpatrick said he could assure everyone that he had the most complete confidence in the architect for the work (Mr. Austin McKay). Mr. McKay's work was well known throughout the diocese and other parts of the State. He had built churches throughout the diocese from the Macleay to tho Tweed, in addition to St. John's College, Woodlawn, and St. Vincent's Hospital, Lismore. "So well and favourably known for his excellent work in the diocese, had been his Lordship's tribute to Mr. McKay.

The site of the church was not good from the point of view of foundation, but it was good in that Mr. McKay was building a church that would be second in the diocese only in the Cathedral in Lismore. Archpriest Fitzpatrick paid a tribute to Mr. McKay's work in connection with the foundation of the new building.

Mr. James Kelly moved a vote of thanks to his Lordship for blessing and laying the foundation stone of the new church. They were pleased that his Lordship had been able to set aside some of his valuable time to be with them that day. Mr. P. J. Quan seconded the motion and it was carried by acclamation.

Presentation of Trowel.

Archpriest Fitzpatrick then called on the Mayor of Murwillumbah (Ald. F. E. Nicholl) to present to his Lordship the silver trowel used in the laying of the foundation stone.

Ald. Nicholl congratulated the Catholic people of the Tweed on the step they had taken. When the new church was completed it would be one of the outstanding features of Murwillumbah and an edifice which would be an acquisition to the public buildings of the town.

Ald. Nicholl then presented the trowel to his Lordship.

Returning thanks, his Lordship said he appreciated the mark of esteem which he had received from the Venerable Archpriest Fitzpatrick, Mr. McKay, and Mr. Sutton. It was a real jubilee year in the diocese and he would regard the gift as a jubilee gift.

Offer of £25.

His Lordship said he was going to offer £25 towards the new church and he would express the hope that all would be present for the opening ceremony. Ald. Nicholl had made very favourable reference to the late Monsignor Quinn. The late Monsignor had left £7000 as the nucleus for the establishment of the new church. It was just enough to encourage the people of the parish to take upon their shoulders the burden of the £14,500 necessary to complete the building, concluded his Lordship.

The total cash donations which have been received so far towards the building of the new Church of the Sacred Heart amount to £9065/10/- and approximately another £300 has been promised towards the fund. Donations which had been received during the past three months totalled £782 and, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new church, a total £1278 was received. In addition to these amounts, £7055/10/- has been provided towards the cost of the building by the estate of the late Monsignor M. Quinn.