St Bernard’s Church in Bacchus Marsh is turning 150 this year and as a part of celebrations they are inviting parishioners to have their names immortalised in pavers that could be on display for 150 years to come.
Catholics arrived to the Bacchus Marsh area in 1841, according to Margeret Love, a member of the committee organising the 150th celebrations.
“The first Masses were celebrated in a barn on John Leahy’s property in the area then known as Tipperary Flats,” she said.
“We think Irish Catholics, many from Tipperary, arrived at the top of Anthonys Cutting during times of good rains, to a view that reminded them of home.”
More than three decades later, St Bernard’s was constructed on Lerderderg Street, Bacchus Marsh, in the backyard of what was once a Manor House built by Captain Bacchus.
Ms Love said she’s heard many stories of parish community during her anniversary research, including one Frank and Maria Candeloro feeling welcomed when they moved to the area in the 1950s.
When Maria was pregnant, parishioners Bill McHugh spotted her throwing cabbages up to Frank on the truck and lifting boxes of tomatoes.
To convince her she shouldn’t do that Bill committed to riding to their field each day as soon as he finished work and help Frank get the truck loaded for market.
Ms Love said that the Candeloro’s have been generous supporters of the church ever since.
As a part of St Bernard’s anniversary commemorations, engraved pavers are currently available to purchase to display on church grounds.
Committee member Ellen Xanthoulakis said that while the 150th anniversary will be a wonderful time to look back at the church’s incredible history, the pavers project will also give an opportunity to acknowledge that St Bernard’s is still very much alive and active today and look forward to the future.
