Since 1884, Catholics of the Beaudesert region have gathered to celebrate life & sacraments as a parish community as does the current parishioners.
The present Parish Priest Michael McKeaten with Associate Pastor Rev Fr John Echewodo
The History of our Parish
In 1874, the town of Beaudesert was founded with the first auction of town blocks. In the same year, Father Benedict Scortechini was appointed to the Logan Mission, which included Beaudesert, to become its first resident priest. The first baptism that he entered in the parish Baptismal register is dated 28th December of that year. Father Scortechini resided at Logan Village for the next nine years.
In 1884, Catholics of the greater region of Beaudesert have been gathering to celebrate life and sacraments as a parish community.
In 1889, Archbishop Dunne laid the foundation of a new church at the prettily-situated and fast-growing town of Beaudesert. That same year, the church dedicated to Our Lady of the Purification, and known as St Mary's ever since, was blessed and opened by the Archbishop.
It was not long before the original church became too small for the ever-growing catholic population and a decision was made to shift the church to Kerry and replace it in Beaudesert with a new building. The old church has been at Kerry since 1907 and is now know as St John's.
The New Church
St Mary's was blessed and opened on September 15th, 1907. The foundation stone had been laid on February 2nd in the same year.
Over time, there have been a variety of minor changes and repairs to allow the church to weather the year and remain comfortable in the modern era.
Painting inside and out.
Re-Stumping in the 1920s and again in the 1950s with the brick perimeter wall and steps added in the 1950s.
Changes to the altar in the mid 1960s - from the old "high altar" style to the modern altar with the priest facing the congregation.
Removal of the pulpit in the 1970s.
Addition of two (temporary) stabling beams to hold the Church square in the 1980s.
Addition of more stumps and packing originals to level the floor during the 1990s.
Moving the confessional in the 1970s and 1990s.
Polishing the floors and adding new carpets in the 1990s.
We have begun a process of restoration to ensure that the building continues to serve the town of Beaudesert for another hundred years.
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