From horseback priests to livestream Masses: St Brigid’s turns 150

St Brigid’s Catholic Church, a cornerstone of the Gisborne community, has reached the significant milestone of 150 years of age.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli celebrated a special Mass on Sunday 9 February, attended by parish priest Fr Vincent Nguyen, former parish priest Fr Gerry Spillane and Fr John Healy of the neighbouring parish at Woodend.

Hundreds of people gathered in the church, filling it to capacity, while at least another hundred people watched a livestream of the proceedings from the parish hall.

A choir from St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School sang St Brigid’s song, while the choir from St Patrick’s Parish in Macedon also sang during the Mass.

Here, in this location, and among the people of this region, God has been present and continues to call us.

Archbishop Comensoli’s homily drew on the revelations of the prophet Isaiah and the apostle Peter, who both—in their own eras—heard the call of God and went out into the world to proclaim his message.

‘For 150 years, St Brigid’s Church, here in Gisborne, is where that same invitation Isaiah and Peter received has been made to the people of this district to come into God’s presence, with their sins forgiven, to be nourished on God’s Word and Sacraments, and sent out to proclaim Christ among us.

‘Here, in this location, and among the people of this region, God has been present and continues to call us.

‘It may not be by way of a vision, or look anything like the shores of a lake, but here, God has pitched his tent among his people, and his people have come to be with God, in Christ.’

St Brigid’s itself is an enduring testament to faith. It was constructed to meet the spiritual needs of the original Irish Catholic settlers of the region and is one of the oldest churches in Victoria.

The faithful formed a ‘living Church’ well before the building’s construction began in late 1873.

It was officially opened on 31 January 1875, on the eve of St Brigid’s feast day, by the founding Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, James Alipius Goold.

Parishioners are quick to point out that the faithful formed a ‘living Church’ well before the building’s construction began in late 1873. Worshippers met in people’s homes, then in church buildings that also functioned as schools, served by priests who travelled across the vast missions by horse.

Long-time local and member of the 150th anniversary organising committee Paul Lawry says the church continues to be the hub of the community, including for a growing number of young families drawn to the country lifestyle within easy reach of the Melbourne metropolis.

The architecture reflects the style of the Gothic Revival movement popular in the mid to late 19th century. Like many churches of the era, it has undergone external renovations, including its original red brick being covered with concrete cladding.

The stained-glass window above the altar depicts the crucifixion and, above that, the three Irish saints who are buried together in Ireland: St Brigid, St Patrick and St Colmcille (known outside Ireland as St Columba).

More stained-glass windows have been added over the years, and alterations were made to the sanctuary and altar in the 1960s in response to the Second Vatican Council.

The church continues to hold an important place in the local community.

The parish is marking the sesquicentenary with a series of liturgical celebrations throughout 2025 and the laying of commemorative pavers, which were blessed by Archbishop Comensoli after the celebratory Mass.

An organising committee of representatives from the three churches across St Brigid’s Parish have been organising the celebrations for months, finding innovative ways to acknowledge the church’s history and its place in contemporary society.

In a loving tribute to a parish church no longer standing, the committee has installed the original gate from St Colmcille’s in Bullengarook.

Mr Lawry says St Colmcille’s closed in the 1950s and the building was relocated. The gate has lain in a farmer’s shed ever since.

One local family kept an altar cloth, which was placed on the St Brigid’s altar at the start of the 150th anniversary Mass.

The committee created a series of ‘storyboards’ of the history of the three parish churches, St Ambrose’s at Riddell’s Creek, St Patrick’s at Macedon and St Brigid’s.

Parishioners and visitors have been able to step back in time using QR codes to access the online information, which the committee says will be added to as more people share their stories.

Mr Lawry says the church continues to hold an important place in the local community, with two Masses per week at St Brigid’s and active outreach activities.

He says the link between the congregation and the parish’s two schools—St Brigid’s and Holy Cross Catholic primary schools—ensures the Church remains central to community life.

The parish community’s hopeful outlook was reflected in the words of Archbishop Comensoli:

‘Invite. Reveal. Recognise. Send. This way of Jesus—the way of God—is also your way to God. As you celebrate your sesquicentenary, know that it is not for the commemoration of something past, but ... for you now.’