4-6 October 2019 125th Anniversary of
St Patrick's Basilica
Click on this link for the Sean Brosnahan presentation |
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St Alphonsus |
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St Alphonsus Parish, Waverley (Established 1969)
251 Larnach Rd Waverley Dunedin 9001 (Administered from 24 Forbury Rd, Forbury. Ph 03 4558933) |
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Saint Alphonsus Parish HistoryWhen in May 1969 the Redemptorists moved from Caversham to their new monastery at 251 Larnach Road, they agreed to staff a new parish which would service Waverley and the Otago Peninsula. They called the parish St Alphonsus after the Italian bishop Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696 –1787), who founded the Redemptorist order, well known in New Zealand for conducting missions in parishes throughout the country. Prior to this, Waverley and the Bays had for many years been administered from St Patrick’s in South Dunedin. In 1948, a church originally built in 1899 to serve the needs of a large Polish community at Waihola, was moved to Broad Bay and renamed and dedicated to Mary, Queen of Peace. At Macandrew Bay, the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was built and opened in 1954. Mass in the Waverley area had been celebrated for some 40 years in the chapel of St Joseph’s, the children’s Home in Doon Street, run by the Sisters of Mercy.
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When St Alphonsus Parish was first formed, Sunday Mass continued to be celebrated in St Joseph’s Home. Then, on December 8 1974, the present St Alphonsus Parish Centre was opened by Monsignor McDevitt, assisted by the Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists, Father Kearney, CSSR. The centre was designed to be a practical multipurpose one, which would serve as a church as well as providing facilities for all parish activities. On many occasions over the years, the altar would be safely stowed behind its sliding doors, the seats rearranged and a function such as bowls or a parish social would be held.
In 1977 the Redemptorists left the Dunedin area and the Rosminians were invited to take over the parish and use the monastery as a formation centre for their order. So one order with Italian origins was replaced by another! The Rosminians, founded by Italian priest Father Antonio Rosmini (1797-1855), had moved to the Dunedin Diocese to staff St Peter’s College in Gore. They came to St Alphonsus in 1978 and maintained a vibrant presence in the parish for the next 15 years. During this period the monastery building was sold and a new presbytery was built adjacent to the Church in 1991.
In 1993, at the request of Bishop Boyle, the Rosminians moved to Sacred Heart Parish in North East Valley. Since then diocesan priests have looked after the parish with the last resident parish priest leaving in January 2004. A little before this it was decided that the church at Macandrew Bay was unfortunately no longer viable and it was sold, while the church at Broad Bay has been given a new lease of life by being adopted by the Dunedin Polish Community. Now that St Alphonsus has become part of the Dunedin South Pastoral Area, who knows what the future holds for the churches on the Peninsula.
In 1993, at the request of Bishop Boyle, the Rosminians moved to Sacred Heart Parish in North East Valley. Since then diocesan priests have looked after the parish with the last resident parish priest leaving in January 2004. A little before this it was decided that the church at Macandrew Bay was unfortunately no longer viable and it was sold, while the church at Broad Bay has been given a new lease of life by being adopted by the Dunedin Polish Community. Now that St Alphonsus has become part of the Dunedin South Pastoral Area, who knows what the future holds for the churches on the Peninsula.
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St Bernadette's |
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St Bernadette's Parish Forbury (Established 1934)
24 Forbury Rd Forbury Dunedin 9012 |
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St Brigid's |
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St Brigid's Parish, Tainui (Established 1951)
59 Bayfield Rd Tainui Dunedin 9001 |
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In July 1935 land was purchased for three hundred and fifteen pounds, with an adjoining section containing a nine bedroom house being bought for thirteen hundred pounds in 1936, giving a combined area of one and a half acres.
The Foundation Stone for the original church/school was laid on 27 November 1938.
The name 'St Brigid' was chosen by both Bishop James Whyte and Monsignor Delaney of St Patrick's parish, South Dunedin.
The official Blessing and Opening were held on 12 March 1939. Clergy came from St Patrick's to celebrate Mass each Sunday until St Brigid's became a parish in its own right.
Today the original church/school forms part of the school hall. The old house was rented out for many years until eventually being demolished. In 1970 a Convent was built for the Sisters of St Joseph who were the school's on site teaching staff until 1981. In 1999 the building was redesigned and today is used as administration block, senior classroom and computer suite for the school.
In October 1951, Bishop John Kavanagh designated St Brigid's a parish in its own right and appointed Father (later Monsignor) Gavin, first parish priest. Following enthusiastic fund-raising activities, the new church was built, and on Sunday 3 May 1953 was officially Blessed and Opened by Bishop Kavanagh. Over 800 people from thoughout the city attended.
History was made as St Brigid's was the first Catholic church in New Zealand to celebrate an evening Mass.
As more houses were built in the Andersons Bay/Tainui area, the congregation increased and in 1961 the church was extended. In the late 1990s, the interior underwent further remodelling with the sanctuary being positioned in the centre of the church and a small meeting room opening up adjacent to the sacristy.
There have been ten parish priests since 1951. In October 2001, a large number of present and former parishioners, as well as clergy, gathered to celebrate the fiftieth jubilee of the parish. A book on the history of the parish was launched and Father Chris Skinner SM, composed a jubilee song 'We Are Christ' especially for the occasion.
The Foundation Stone for the original church/school was laid on 27 November 1938.
The name 'St Brigid' was chosen by both Bishop James Whyte and Monsignor Delaney of St Patrick's parish, South Dunedin.
The official Blessing and Opening were held on 12 March 1939. Clergy came from St Patrick's to celebrate Mass each Sunday until St Brigid's became a parish in its own right.
Today the original church/school forms part of the school hall. The old house was rented out for many years until eventually being demolished. In 1970 a Convent was built for the Sisters of St Joseph who were the school's on site teaching staff until 1981. In 1999 the building was redesigned and today is used as administration block, senior classroom and computer suite for the school.
In October 1951, Bishop John Kavanagh designated St Brigid's a parish in its own right and appointed Father (later Monsignor) Gavin, first parish priest. Following enthusiastic fund-raising activities, the new church was built, and on Sunday 3 May 1953 was officially Blessed and Opened by Bishop Kavanagh. Over 800 people from thoughout the city attended.
History was made as St Brigid's was the first Catholic church in New Zealand to celebrate an evening Mass.
As more houses were built in the Andersons Bay/Tainui area, the congregation increased and in 1961 the church was extended. In the late 1990s, the interior underwent further remodelling with the sanctuary being positioned in the centre of the church and a small meeting room opening up adjacent to the sacristy.
There have been ten parish priests since 1951. In October 2001, a large number of present and former parishioners, as well as clergy, gathered to celebrate the fiftieth jubilee of the parish. A book on the history of the parish was launched and Father Chris Skinner SM, composed a jubilee song 'We Are Christ' especially for the occasion.
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St Patrick's |
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32 Macandrew Road
(Established 1888) South Dunedin |
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A tour of St Patrick’s Basilica
St Patrick’s Basilica was opened in 1894. It was designed by Mr F. W. Petre. The original plan included a central dome and a colonnaded porch which were never completed because of the costs involved. The term basilica refers to both the architectural style and the importance of the church in the diocese. St Patrick’s is in the classic style of a Roman basilica. The building is constructed of brick which is now plastered, with concrete foundations.
A new porch designed by the architect Mr E. J. McCoy was added in the 1960’s has two external panels, in Japanese oak, carved by John Middleditch. They show St Patrick and the Blessed Virgin.
A new porch designed by the architect Mr E. J. McCoy was added in the 1960’s has two external panels, in Japanese oak, carved by John Middleditch. They show St Patrick and the Blessed Virgin.
Inside the basilica there are a number of items of religious art and icons. The large oil painting behind the main altar was painted by an Italian artist, Guiseppi Brazi, and was set in place in 1915. It shows St Patrick and St Bridget in an Irish setting gazing up to heaven where Mary and her infant son, Jesus, are looking down at the earth with love. The altar under the painting was formerly used for the celebration of the Mass. With changes to the liturgy, a different style of altar was needed so the present wooden altar and lectern were made by Mr Gavin Bourke from some of the kauri pews that were removed when pews at the front of the church were replaced with softer seating.
There are 14 lead-lighted stained glass windows which were added to the church in 1924. They were made in Munich, Germany. They depict 14 of the Mysteries of the Rosary. Each window is dedicated as a memorial for those who donated the costs.
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The statue of St Patrick now placed at the back of the church came originally from the Cathedral in Rattray Street and was given by Bishop Moran to the basilica to mark its opening in 1894.
The Stations of the Cross were made in Paris in 1901. They are made of terracotta and framed in oak. This way of the cross shows the story of the passion and death of Jesus. Again, those who donated the costs are recorded on each station.
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The statues at the front of the church depict Jesus (the Sacred Heart) and Joseph with the child Jesus. They were placed in the basilica in the early twentieth century. In 1926 another statue was added, of St Teresa, known as the Little Flower. It marked St Teresa’s elevation to sainthood in 1925.
Opposite St Teresa is a large crucifix with the figure of Christ, carved in Carrara Italian marble. It was commissioned in Rome in 1924 and when it arrived in Dunedin, the wooden cross was made locally before the crucifix was erected in the basilica.
On the right side at the front of the church is Mary’s altar, carved in oak. It was built in Mr J. J. Marlow’s factory in South Dunedin in 1924. As well as the statue, the altar features an iconic picture of Mary as the Mother of Perpetual Succour. At the front of the Church is the Baptismal font. It is used in the ceremony of receiving people into the Church.
On the right side at the front of the church is Mary’s altar, carved in oak. It was built in Mr J. J. Marlow’s factory in South Dunedin in 1924. As well as the statue, the altar features an iconic picture of Mary as the Mother of Perpetual Succour. At the front of the Church is the Baptismal font. It is used in the ceremony of receiving people into the Church.
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REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
The Saint Patrick's Site was redeveloped to become the centre for the Dunedin South Pastoral Area. There were three components to the redevelopment. 1. Redevelop the old school buildings to become the centre for Catholic Social Services and to create a multi-purpose Community centre which will include a children's playground. 2. Creating a park in the midst of an Industrial Area. The demolition of presbytery to create community green space. 3. Renovating the Basilica which includes establishing a new entrance and a connection into the Mercy Chapel. We aim to create a prayerful place; a welcoming place of gathering, suitable for modern worship. Below is an aerial map of the Site with the key buildings highlighted followed by a concept plan of the development:
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Our Lady Queen of Peace: |
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St Paul's Samoan Catholic Community. |