St Patrick's Catholic Church

No Foundation Stone details for the 1900 church building are known. Information/photographs are invited.

A stone records: A M D G - This stone - was blessed and laid by the - Most Rev D Foley - Bishop of Ballarat - on Sunday, 4th February 1923 - Rev J Shine - Pastor.

A plaque records: St Patrick's Parish Centenary - These extensions and alterations - were completed in 1990 to the Greater Honour - and Glory of God and to the memory of - our Catholic Pioneers. - This church was consecrated by - Most Rev R A Mulkearns DD DCL - Bishop of Ballarat - on - Sunday, April 22nd 1990 - Rev W Van De Camp - Parish Priest...

A heritage plaque records: St Patrick's Catholic Church - The Camperdown district early settlers were predominantly English and Scottish immigrants but a smaller number of Irish people made the area their home, bringing their Catholic faith with them. -  Although small in numbers they were determined to gather for worship. In 1865 a small wooden chuch was bult on two acres of land granted for church use, east of the Commercial Hotel. Priets based in Colac, travelling on horseback, were responsible for the monthly services, baptisms and marriages. The church was also used as a school on weekdays from 1886. - In 1889 the Camperdown Parish was established, with Fr O'Neill appointed the first resident parish priest. The decision to seek a more appropriate site for a church and school use resulted in the purchase of the current site, with the old church building moved in two sections on a horse drawn frame from Manifold Street in 1891. The previous site was subdivided and sold, raising funds to finance new buildings. - The longest serving Parish Priest, Fr John Shine, oversaw numerous changes during his appointment, serving from 1882 until his death in 1931.- The present St Patrick's church was built in 1900...Thge church was enlarged in 1923 with the addition of a sanctuary and vestry...The old weatherboard church building continued ... as a Catholic school until destroyed by fire in 1935...