St Joseph's Catholic Church - Former

Foundation stone records: A.M.D.G. - This stone was laid by - The Most Rev. Dr Higgins - Bishop of Ballarat - Feb 14th 1914 - John P Walsh   Pastor.

Heritage plaque records: St Joseph's Catholic Church - St Joseph's Catholic Church was built in 1914 and is an example of a Federation Gothic style building in brick. It replaced the earlier timber church building on the same site that was constructed in 1884. It was designed by Architects Clegg, Miller and E W Riley of Horsham and Ballarat who designed a wide range of buildings throughout central and western Victoria. Its design and construction is very similar to a Catholic Church at Stuart Mill built two years earlier, but it is not known whether it was designed by the same architects. - The two acres of land on which it is built was first gazetted as a reserve for the building of a Catholic church on 27th Sept 1861. The application was made by the Rev. Dr Fitzpatrick. - Attendees to this church came from a wide surrounding area from places such as Dadswell's Bridge, Lubeck, Wal Wal, Campbell's Bridge and Riachella. The large congregation included many with local names such as Phelan, Delahuntly, Kinsella and Leahy. - The church was officially closed and deconsecrated in 1975 by church authorities, although it is reported that a local priest continued to hold services in it for some time after this, despite the building having no power.