Church of the Holy Cross

Statement of Significance

The significance of the building is both social and historical, the original section being designed and built by Mons. Hawes and well supported by the community. Local stone was quarried from Mick Neagle's farm for the original building and for the extensive additions of the 1960's.

Physical Description

The building comprises a nave, with transepts and a semi-circular copse at both ends, plus various porches and storerooms and an uncompleted tower. The original apse has a curved brick ceiling; elsewhere ceilings are plywood lined between timber and steel roof trusses. Behind the alter is a Toodyay Stone faced feature wall. The inner doors of the main entry are of heavy jarrah, cross-braced, with a wrought iron upper panel
There is a plaque inside the church above the entry door with the following inscriptions:
Sanctuary & Extensions Blessed and Altar Consecrated by
Bishop F.. Thomas June 26th 1966
On the exterior east wall there is a marble foundation stone, with lead infill, with the following wording;
ECLESIAE EN HONOREMSANCTAE CRUCIS LAPIS AUSPICALIS JACTUS FUIT A REVMOACILLMP JACOBO P.O 'COLLINS GERALDTONENSIS EPISCOPO TERTIO DIE XVIIIDECEMBRIS ANNO MCMXXXII PIUS PONTIFEX MAXIMUS
The church contains several paintings by O. Boddington, an Aboriginal artist.

History

A Church was needed, so plans were drawn up by Dean Hawes. Stone quarried from the farms of T Neagle and G Agar was carted by Messrs Hancock, Regan and Hall. Mr Bill Owman was the builder, and with Dean Hawes’s supervision, the foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Geraldton, J P O’Collins, on December 18, 1932, on Lot 150 Davis Street, Morawa.

Mr Thomas Leo Bradley became the Secretary for the Parish. With the help of M Neagle, M White, T Bradley, N Gill, C Cole, G White, S Valentine, J Powell, T Kramer and P Haddock and families. It is certain we shall never know the many fund raising raffles, picnics, dances and other functions which were held to culminate in the opening of the Church.

Dean Hawes built the Hermitage (or Presbytery) in 1933, as his residence. This little building is distinct and stands adjacent to the Church.

A small pedal organ had been purchased and a choir comprising Mr Peter Haddock, Mrs V Francis, Mrs Molly White, Mrs Nora Powell and Mrs M Neagle, with Mrs Monty White as organist practised regularly at Mrs Monty White’s home. Masses composed by Dom Moreno were sung. It was at one of the choir practices on the 1st June 1933 that the new church linen was viewed. The kind donor was Mother Vincent O.P. on behalf of the Dongard Dominican Convent.

On 2nd July 1933, the Church was opened by Bishop J.P. O’Collins. There were two masses celebrated, the first for the Committee who had catered for 130 guests, and capably managed when a further 100 appeared. The banquet was held in the old Morawa Hall and help was given by many people, no matter what religion was followed.

Following the close of the second World War, many displaced persons and their families came from the Baltic States to our district, as interim settlers. They were delighted when Mrs N Gill arranged for a Polish priest, Fr Dzieciol, to a visit in 1953 and say Mass in Polish, followed by a meal and happy conversation.

The parishioners, meantime, were working towards the establishment of a Convent and School, so a cropping programme was introduced. With Fr Bryan’s guidance, architects were consulted, bricks were carted by the menfolk, from the Irwin brickworks and building began.

The welcome to the Domenican Sisters, and the opening of the Morawa Convent and School buildings was given by the Rev A.J. Gummer, Bishop of Geraldton, on the 27th March 1955. The Domenican Sisters celebrated their Silver Jubilee in Morawa in 1980, and their value over the years in our community could not be measured.

With the advent of iron ore mining in Morawa, it became clear that the Church was too small for the population. Mons. Bryan and Mr A Roach acted as principal Contractors and again with the parishioners and W.M.C. help, additions were added to seat 250 persons. The stone was from the original quarry, with Toodyay stone for the Sanctuary. The opening ceremony conducted by Bishop F.X. Thomas was held on 26th June 1966.

The Holy Cross Church was consecrated on Sunday 24th October 1976. Bishop J P O’Collins returned from Ballarat for the occasion and assisted Bishop F X Thomas in the consecrated Mass.

Parish Priests
Rt.Rev. Mons Hawes
Fr. Augustine – S.A.C
Fr. Lynch
Fr. Albert – S.A.C
Fr. Leo – S.A.C
Fr. Girke – S.A.C
Fr. Wellems – S.A.C
Rt.Rev. Mons Bryan
Fr. M O’Flaherty
Fr. T Smith
Fr. T Manley
Fr. E Jarcov
Fr. B Van Der Geest
Fr. P Downes

Integrity/Authenticity

Modifications:
The church was enlarged during the 1960s mining boom, when the nave was extended and the alter switched to the opposite end.

Integrity:
Despite construction over a lengthy period the building maintains a high degree of consistency and integrity.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.