The bell tolls. A gentle chime echoing across Redfern. It calls you to St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. This isn’t just any church. It’s a living testament to faith perseverance and community.
St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church stands proudly on Redfern Street. Its history is deeply intertwined with the area’s evolution. It began humbly in 1886. Cardinal Moran blessed the church. Father Collins guided its opening. He dedicated it to St Vincent de Paul. Collins saw St Vincent as an apostle of charity. A beacon in times of selfishness and indifference.
The church wasn’t just a place of worship. It was the heart of Redfern. A school quickly followed. Boys attended a school at the rear. Later the Sisters of Mercy opened a girls’ school. The community grew. Mass attendance soared.
By 1892 the church needed expansion. The foundation stone for an extension was laid in 1902. Six months later it was open. Father O’Regan took over. Father Collins remained as an assistant. The church became a fully furnished building. It boasted stained glass windows. The interior featured a light blue ceiling fine panels and a grand High Altar. The Freeman’s Journal detailed the renovations. It highlighted the beautiful new features.
The church continued to adapt. In the 1970s Father Gaffney oversaw more renovations. A new altar faced the congregation. New Stations of the Cross adorned the walls. The seats were repolished. A new carpet covered the sanctuary floor. Sacred vessels were regilded.
Father Ted Kennedy served as parish priest for over three decades. He was renowned for his outreach to aboriginal people and his social justice advocacy.
Recent renovations restored the church’s original beauty. They also addressed the needs of a changing community. A new marble altar stands as a centerpiece. It’s made of Opera Fantastico Marble from between Italy and France. Archbishop Anthony Fisher consecrated it in 2015. Relics of St Mary McKillop and St Teresa of Calcutta are displayed.
This is more than a building of stone. It is a living church. It reflects the spirit of Redfern. It continues to serve its community. It embodies the spirit of St Vincent de Paul. It is a testament to faith community and enduring hope. Its bell tolls still. Calling all to gather.