“Did you know that the Little Flower Catholic Church has risen not once but twice?” It is a testament to faith and community spirit. This church stands as a beacon of hope in Kedron.
The Little Flower Catholic Church got its name from St Thérèse of Lisieux. She was also known as The Little Flower. It was the first church in Queensland dedicated to this Carmelite nun. The Catholics of Kedron belonged to the Wooloowin parish until 1923. Archbishop James Duhig blessed the foundation stone for the Kedron Church on May 27, 1923. This new parish served Catholics from Kedron. It reached as far north as Bald Hills and Petrie. Fathers Keating and Stanaway managed fundraising for the church. They received generous support from the people of Wooloowin. Dances at Chermside, Aspley and other places helped.
Tragedy struck on Australia Day in 1924. A cyclone swept through Kedron. It destroyed the Little Flower Catholic Church. Ruby Wren, Charlie Wren and Margaret O’Hagan were in the church at the time. The destruction aroused widespread sympathy. Funds came from all over Australia to rebuild the church. Locals worked together. They ensured the church would be debt-free when it reopened. The Hennessys, Maguires and Wrens were instrumental in fundraising. They raised about four thousand pounds.
Archbishop Duhig returned on April 27, 1924. He re-laid the foundation stone. The current church was built in the late 1960s. It includes a stained glass window from the 1924 church. You can see St Thérèse the Little Flower on it. It is above the northern side entrance.
Archbishop Duhig offered Fr Keating the position of Parish Priest of Kedron. Fr Keating declined. He became Parish Priest of St Francis Church. The Archbishop appointed Fr Stanaway as first Pastor of Kedron.
The parish rapidly developed after the church reopened. The first congregation numbered about 50. More people moved into the area. Additional Masses were needed. The Woulfe family gifted altars. Mr Frank Wren gifted statues. Mr Tom Flanagan and others gifted furnishings.
The Franciscan Friars arrived in Kedron in 1929. Fr Fidelis Griffin led them. He negotiated with Archbishop Duhig for land. The Franciscans chose Kedron. The archdiocese owned many acres. Fr Fidelis wanted to establish a seminary.
The Archbishop originally asked 700 pounds an acre. He accepted 250 pounds an acre. The Franciscan Friars took possession of Kedron parish on June 12, 1929. The pioneer friars were Fr Fidelis, Fr Ronan and Fr Celsus.
The Archbishop wanted to address the number of Catholic children in state schools. Fr Fidelis wanted Franciscan Sisters to come to Kedron. Four sisters arrived from Italy and the United States. They were Irish. They were Sister Mary Agnella, Sister Mary Jarlath, Sister Mary Dympna and Sister Mary Isidore.
The friars vacated the Presbytery for the Sisters. They occupied small rooms at the top of the school stairs. Sister Mary Isidore was an excellent chef. During the Second World War the Friary became a magnet for chaplains.
By 1954, Kedron was home to 5364 Catholics. Five Masses were celebrated each weekend. A new church was planned. Land was bought on the corner of Gympie Road and Castle Street. Pizza Hut purchased some of the land to finance a new church.
In 1972, 1881 people attended five Masses at the Little Flower. 636 attended four Masses at the temporary Chapel in Gympie Road. The present Little Flower Church was built at a cost of about $175000. The Gympie Road chapel closed in 1998 due to decreasing numbers. A welcoming Mass was celebrated at the Little Flower.
The Little Flower Catholic Church stands as a symbol of faith. It is a testament to community spirit and resilience. Its history is etched in its walls. It reminds us of the dedication of its parishioners. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty and history. Remember the story of the Little Flower.