Sts' James & John Parish, Clifton |
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Contact: Fr Rod MacGinley, PP |
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| Phone: | 07 4697 3177 | ||
| Fax: | 07 4697 3855 | ||
| Office Location: | 11 Meara Pl | Postal Address: | PO Box 78 |
| Clifton | Clifton 4361 | ||
| Mass Times: | Sts' James & John Church, Clifton |
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2nd Saturday - Vigil |
7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 5:00pm 5:00pm |
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| St Matthew's Church, Leyburn | |||
| Saturday - Vigil | 5:00pm | ||
| 1st Saturday - Liturgy of the Word | 5:00pm | ||
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| Parish Contacts: | Contact Number | ||
Parish Secretary - Jenny Cleary |
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Parish Council - Genny Imhoff |
07 4697 3517 | ||
 Additional Parish Contacts |
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Clifton Parish History:Beginnings "Archbishop Dunne delighted in recalling his trips to "The Washpool" (as the locality of the buildings on King's Creek were then known, to distinguish it from the Head Station, on the side of Mt Molar) and there he gathered his flock in different places at different times. The shearing shed, the shepherd's hut, a tent, the railway good's shed and later The Redbank Inn, as James Mowen's Hotel was known." The first Catholic Church His Grace, Archbishop Dunne on October 21, 1888, opened the first Catholic Church built in Clifton. It was situated on the block on which the current presbytery now stands. Mr M. T. O'Brien was the builder and it cost £247. It was only six months old when discussions commenced about enlarging the church. The second Catholic Church James Mowen, a prominent Clifton businessman, who died in 1897, left a considerable sum of money for the erection of a monument over his grave. It was deemed by the trustees of his will that a church would be "a suitable and substantial monument" and so James Mowen's remains were removed from the Clifton Cemetery and placed in such a position that the new Catholic Church would be built over his grave. Archbishop Dunne performed the opening and blessing of the Mowen Memorial Church with assistance from Fr J. Horan and Fr M. Potter on April 22, 1900. Fr Potter celebrated the first Mass. The church soon became known as St James' and St John's Catholic Church. The names being taken from James Mowen, of course, and probably John Logan and John Gillam who as trustees of the Mowen will were significantly involved in the beginnings of the church building. Priests from Warwick serviced the Catholic community until May 24, 1910, when the Parish of Clifton was formed under the patronage of Our Lady Help of Christians. The first parish priest was Father Mark Cosgrove. The first church was removed to a site behind St James' and St John's Church to make way for the building of the presbytery, which was opened on February 24, 1911. (The first church was subsequently moved again to behind the Good Samaritan Convent to be used as a school.) Monsignor Michael McKenna took up duty as the second Parish Priest of Clifton on October 1, 1935. Once again the Catholic Church building had become too small. One of Monsignor McKenna's first tasks was the overseeing of the enlargement of St James' and St John's Church. The extensions were blessed by Monsignor M. Potter on August 2, 1936. The beautiful leadlight windows have been an addition since the extensions of 1936. They celebrate the memory of many of the pioneer families of the district and include such names as Corbett, Dwyer, Donaghue, Gleeson, Hegarty, Logan, McGovern, Meara, O'Halloran, Pauli, Sullivan, and Taylor. The original altar rails were replaced in 1960 to celebrate the 50th year of the foundation of the parish. The only other major change to the Church, since its opening, was the positioning of the altar to the front and centre of the sanctuary. This came about to accommodate the liturgical changes of Vatican II. In May 2010, the parish celebrated its centenary. The Parish choir recorded “A Centenary fo Sacred song” under the guidance of Mrs Grace Murray, and Mrs Leona Murphy compiled a record of the parish and church in “A Memorial of Faith.” Copies of the CD and book are currently available by contacting the Parish or the School. St Francis de Sales Catholic Primary School St Francis de Sales Primary School is a co-educational Catholic School, which exists to support the parents' role as primary educators of their children. The school is dedicated to the total education of each child, in an atmosphere created through Christian Values. The school caters for children from preschool to Year 7. The school has an energetic Parents & Friends Association and also has a School Board that assists the Principal with policy development. History The school was opened in 1917 and operated by the Good Samaritan Order. The first Catholic Church was the building in which school was conducted. The Good Samaritan Sisters left the school on Tuesday 11th December 1979. In 1963, the present school was constructed and the school became known as St Francis de Sales. In 1972, the former Headington Hill State School was transported to the school as an additional classroom. It is now used as a library and staffroom. The school has recently been refurbished using State and Federal Government grants and a preschool facility constructed. With the assistance of State and Federal Government grants the school has recently been refurbished, a library and tuckshop added in 2009, and an administration building, multipurpose building and undercover area in 2010.
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