617 Tunnack Road, Parattah. Google Maps.
Opened 1935. Sold 2010
ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH
OPENING AT PARATTAH.
The Church of St. Patrick, Parattah will be opened on Sunday afternoon at 3.30 by the Archbishop of Hobart (the Most Rev. Dr. William Hayden) The Priest in Charge (the Rev. Father Denis Murphy) has been holding services hitherto in the Parattah Hall, but for the last 12 months the Catholic folk of the district have been working with great zeal for the new building, which is in brick.
The Mercury, 17 March 1935
NEW CHURCH BLESSED
St. Joseph’s, Parattah Address by Archbishop
The blessing of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Parattah, took place yesterday in the presence of a large gathering. The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of Hobart (Most Rev. Dr. W. Hayden); assisted by the Revs. Denis Murphy (Oatlands), and R. A. Kennedy. The choir sang appropriate hymns, and the Veni Creator.
Archbishop Hayden congratulated the adherents of the Church for their work, and paid a tribute to the design of the building which, he said, reflected credit on Father Denis Murphy. The day on which the church was opened would always be remembered, as it marked the canonisation in Rome of the two martyrs, John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Sir Thomas More, Chancellor of England in the reign of King Henry VIII. The Rev. J. H. Cullen, of Hobart, paid a tribute to the assistance received from other denominations.
Father Denis Murphy said that the building, furnishings, and fittings, had cost about £700. Later he said that the debt had been well cleared. He paid a tribute to the work of the Fox family, Parattah.
After Fifty Years
The erection of the church was first mooted about 50 years ago, largely due to a block of land having been given by the late Mr. Henry Dobson, of Hobart, and the late Mr. John Russell, who at that time had bought the Hilly Park estate at Parattah. The Anglican and Presbyterian denominations also received a block each, those churches having been built many years. Mr. F. H. Fox and the late Mr. Thomas Devine started a building fund 50 years ago. The late Mrs. H. M. Lale and the late Miss Margaret Bacon organised the first fair for the building 45 years ago, the function being held at Mr. F. H. Fox’s premises. During the past 10 years good work has been accomplished by Mrs. A. F. Fox and Miss K. Fox, who, as joint secretaries of a committee, have helped to raise about £500.
The church is of brick, and is situated in the township. The interior has a bright appearance, set off by leadlight windows and hardwood linings and fit tings, a feature of which is the parquetry at each end of the building. The altar and the prie-dieu are of polished blackwood, and are splendid examples of workmanship. Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Fox, Parattah, donated the organ. Miss E. Kelly gave brassware, .and Mrs. P. Fox, of Hobart, gave a pair of brass vases. The crucifix over the high altar was given by Mrs. A. F. Fox, Parattah. Father Denis Murphy (Oatlands) and Mr. S. B. Barnett, Hobart, also gave valuable assistance in the building of the church.
The Mercury, 20 May 1935