A former movie theatre. Can you believe it? That’s the unique story of St Christopher’s Catholic Church in Panania.
St Christopher’s wasn’t always a place of worship. It began life as a “Star” movie theatre. In 1967 this theatre was purchased. It was then converted and consecrated as the parish church. This unique past adds a special charm to St Christopher’s.
The parish itself has a longer history. It was established in 1952. Fr Patrick Landers was the first parish priest. The parish was created to serve the growing number of families in southwestern Sydney. The need for more churches was clear. The community needed a spiritual center.
The original church-school building was constructed earlier in 1953. This building is no longer in use. It has been replaced by modern facilities. The Sisters of St Joseph ran the school in its early years. They were already active in nearby areas. The school opened in 1955 with 122 children.
Today St Christopher’s continues to thrive. It serves the community with the sacraments. Daily Mass is celebrated. There are opportunities for prayer rosary and adoration. Active ministries offer spiritual and practical care. The parish remains strongly connected to St Christopher’s Catholic Primary School. This is evident in their shared activities and events.
The parish embraces its mission. It is to share the love of Jesus Christ. They want to extend the values and traditions of the Catholic faith. They are committed to building relationships among families the school and the wider community. They aim to live by St Mary of the Cross Mackillop’s words. Her words inspire them to “never see a need without doing something about it”. They also seek to “find happiness by making others happy”.
St Christopher’s Catholic Church in Panania. A testament to faith resilience and community. A church with a unique history and a bright future. A place where the echoes of the past blend seamlessly with the hopes of the present and future. It’s a truly remarkable place.