Friday, February 10, 2012 Australia’s oldest consecrated Church celebrates 150 years The University of Notre Dame Australia wishes the Parish of St Benedict’s well as the Church prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its consecration at the end of this month. His Eminence Cardinal George Pell and the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, Most Reverend Guiseppe Lazzarotto, together with Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese will lead a Solemn Pontifical Mass to commemorate the anniversary of the oldest consecrated Catholic Church in the country. St Benedict’s was consecrated on 24 February 1862, with the ceremony led by Archbishop John Bede Polding, Australia’s first Roman Catholic Archbishop. The High Mass went for just under eight hours and parishioners paid a fee of 10 shillings each to attend. The Parish has played a central role in the spiritual, educational and social life of Sydney residents. In the mid-19th Century, the Church property was home to a girls’ school run by the Good Samaritan Sisters and a boys’ school run by the Marist Brothers. In 1926, St Benedict’s Hall was completed, which would be used for many balls and concerts by its parishioners whose numbers were second only to those of St Mary’s Cathedral. In 2005, the University of Notre Dame Australia was proud to share in the history of the Parish when it established its Sydney Campus on the St Benedict’s site, restoring the Church and its surrounding buildings. Today, St Benedict’s counts among its many parishioners the staff and students of Notre Dame and the Church forms a central part of the daily life of the University. The history of St Benedict’s is richly intertwined with growth of the Catholic Church in Sydney, as well as the flourishing of the city itself. A book on the history of St Benedict’s is currently being developed to commemorate the significant milestone reached by the Church. Pre-orders for the book will be taken after the Solemn Pontifical Mass. St Benedict’s invites members of the public and the media to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the Church on Friday 24 February 2012. High Mass will begin at 7.00pm at St Benedict’s, corner Broadway and Abercrombie Street, Broadway, NSW. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the Mass. ENDS For further information please contact: Communications Officer, Elizabeth Fenech The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney Campus T: 02 8204 4407 E: [email protected] W: www.nd.edu.au/ PHOTO CAPTION: The modern-day St Benedict’s Church, close to the heart of the city. .