The Tighes Hill Catholic Community
1895-2005
A brief history and overview
Compiled by Lawrence Hallinan
A project to mark the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill
Page 1
Introduction
I have made every effort to ensure the historic accuracy of material presented in this booklet.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Tighes Hill community members who
contributed their stories and photos, especially Mary Loscocco and Elizabeth Hooton.
One of my early finds in seeking information on the church was Fred Sinfield a man who
has written several articles on Arthur Benfield – the designer and artist of Immaculate
Heart of Mary Church. Fred was very helpful in providing information and guiding me
along. The staff at the Regional Pastoral Office especially Monsignor Allan, John Skehan,
Margaret and Rosalie were very generous in helping to uncover information and comment
on drafts. The small task of collecting a few notes and photos just grew and grew and
became a disruption to my moods and our routines at home so I must also thanks my partner
Mark for his patient and assistance.
I hope all who read this will find they grow in admiration for the sacrifices and piety our
forebears in faith.
Lawrie Hallinan
Index
Events of the Tighes Hill Community & Catholic Community ..................... 3
Parish Patron Saints....................................................................................... 21
The Story of Fatima ...................................................................................... 22
The 1955 Church Building ........................................................................... 23
Firsts of the Parish of Tighes Hill ................................................................ 32
Roamin’ Catholics......................................................................................... 33
Parish Ministers............................................................................................. 34
Sisters of Mercy who lived/worked in Tighes Hill ....................................... 35
Vocations to the Priesthood or Religious Life from Tighes Hill .................. 36
References ..................................................................................................... 37
Page 2
Events of the Tighes Hill Community & Catholic Community
From the dreamtime the Awabakal people have lived in this area. Recent
archaeological and anthropological research has found evidence of this habitation
dated to at least 30,000 years ago.
1797
John Shortland arrives at Muloobinbah (now called Newcastle harbour).
1804
Convict settlement established at Kingstown (Newcastle)
1838
Arrival of the first resident Catholic priest in the Newcastle district, Fr C. V. Dowling
1839
Atkinson Alfred Patrick Tighe, after whom the suburb is now named, (then 12 years of
age) arrives in Newcastle where his father, Robert, takes up post as Chief Constable.
Robert is granted 2,000 acres of land at Bingle Hill (now Tighes Hill) and also owns a
butcher shop in Watt St and is licensee of the Union Inn, cnr Hunter & Bolton Sts,
Newcastle. Robert Tighe died on 5th March 1844 and his eldest son, Atkinson Alfred
Patrick Tighe also went on to become a business in the Newcastle area. AAP Tighe
was one of the first directors of the Waratah Coal Co., partner in a copper smelters and
owner of a slaughter yard in current Tighes Hill. AAP Tighe also became a local
councillor and Mayor of Newcastle municipality and later MLA for Northumberland.
AAP Tighe dies 13th June 1905. Streets in Tighes Hill named after the Tighe family
are: Phoebe, Elizabeth, John, Tighes Terrace and Atkinson.
1848
Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle established
1860
Slaughter yard opens in the area now known as Tighes Hill
1877
Ferndale Colliery commenced mining the valuable seam of coal beneath Tighes Hill
and surrounding area. There were eight collieries in the surrounding area mining
borehole seam. These were major employers of Tighes Hill residents.
1884
Fr Patrick Finn made first Parish Priest of Hamilton (1884-1894)
1887
Church-school built in Carrington
1888
Sisters of St Joseph convent founded in Carrington
1895
St Patrick’s church-school established at Rosedale Hall, Tighes Hill (Mass on Sundays
and then curtain drawn across Sanctuary so the building could be used for school
during the day and a venue for dances at night (Blessed Sacrament was probably not
stored in the building during the week)). Revd M.M. Stanislaus, Sr Ita and Sr Peter1
were the teacher(s) in-charge and would travel everyday from Hamilton
1900
(25th March) Parish Church of Immaculate Conception blessed and opened by Bishop
Dwyer at 22 Bryant St. (on the corner with Union St), Tighes Hill. School transferred
to a room that shared a wall with the church from Rosedale Hall. Much of this land
was given to the church by Mr O’Hara R.I.P.. The school furniture was all moved
1
Mercy Sisters
Page 3
from Rosedale Hall by the students. Typically three boys were needed to move one
desk. Priest would travel from Newcastle or Hamilton to celebrate Mass in Tighes
Hill.
Immaculate Conception Church, cnr Union & Bryant Sts Tighes Hill
Photo courtesy of Newcastle District Library
1906
(January) Bishop Dwyer blessed extensions to the Church/School at Tighes Hill.
Basically a long narrow room attached to the Church that was used as an extra school
room.
1914
(18th January) Bishop Dwyer blessed and opened St Patrick’s School cost £800. It was
a four room brick building across Bryant Street from Immaculate Conception Church.
Over time the number of students increased and a four bedroom cottage facing Bryant
St was bought and converted into two classrooms. Later a wooden building was added
for another classroom.
St Patrick’s Primary School (1913-14?), Cnr Union & Bryant Sts, Tighes Hill
Photo courtesy of State Library of NSW
1915
(2nd June) B.H.P. Steelworks officially opens in Mayfield. BHP employed many
existing Tighes Hill residents. Many more BHP workers lived in Tighes Hill
sometimes as boarders or short-term residents and others staying for years.
Page 4
1921
(8th May) Parish of Immaculate Conception, Tighes Hill becomes separate from
Hamilton with Fr James McGurk the first Parish Priest.
Through the 1920s there were many fund raising activities: popular girl competitions,
dances, fetes, chocolate wheels, hoopla, community singing and concerts. Regular
performers at concerts were: Jack Dempsey on violin and Mrs Darino on piano. These
were mainly held at St Patrick’s school (which had folding panel walls to make for
easy conversion into a hall). Mr Pat O’Hea, Essie Kirk and Les Wright usually
compared these nights. Leading church members were at this time were: Mary
McGrath, Janet Wright, Anastasia Tyler (eucre), Margaret White, Ina Power, and
Mollie Loscocco.
Immaculate Conception Church, cnr Union & Bryant Sts Tighes Hill
1922
2
(26th Nov) Bishop Gleeson blessed and opened the presbytery at 13 Park Road Tighes
Hill. This house was a gift from Mr Tighe (the owner of the local picture theatre and
son of the Atkinson Alfred Patrick Tighe (1827-1905) the landowner, businessman and
politician after whom Tighes Hill is named). Prior to having the presbytery Fr McGurk
boarded with a family who lived in the Bingle Hill area (the section of Tighes Hill on
the cliff top near upper Henry St and facing Elizabeth Street. Fr McGurk’s first house
keeper was Madge Fuche until she fell in love and married a local man, Peter
McKenna.2 Fr McGurk was well liked and had a band of local men who assisted with
work about the house and yard. This group did much of the clearing and eventual
landscaping for the new convent.
Elizabeth Hooton
Page 5
1928
Blessing and opening of new convent £6,827. The first community consisted of:
Mother Mary Borgia McSherry, Srs M. Joseph Knowles, Benedict Power, Carmel
Hammond, Margaret Casey, Josephine Howard and Aloysius Mary Byrne. The ladies
of the parish donated almost everything the sisters needed to set up the house from
chapel to kitchen.
Sisters of Mercy Convent, Tighes Hill
1931
December – Debating Society re-organised. President H. Skehill; Secretary: L. Kelly
1932
(31st January) Sacred Concert arranged by Miss E. Stedman. Artists: O. Bailey, E.
Corrigan, E. Bowe, E. Daer, S. Paterson, A. Nash, W Bowe, J Cussan & J. Dempsey
(March) Fr Patrick Grace, (a former De La Salle Brother in England) appointed Parish
Priest with Fr John Burke the first curate at Tighes Hill (Fr McGurk had returned to
Ireland for health reasons)
(6th March) Choir and Altar Society Car Drive to Belmont.
Car drivers: H. Williamson, J. Gilshenan, L. Kelly, F Tearle, L. O’Malley
(17th March) St Patrick’s Concert in Picture Theatre
(June) Sacred Heart Sodality established. Rosedale Hall purchased for parish
functions – dances, housie and concerts.
(2nd August) Rosedale Hall opened by Bishop Gleeson. Fr O’Donohue spoke of the
first Mass in Tighes Hill in the hall approximately 36 years ago.
(6th Oct) First Tighes Hill Catholic Ball held at Newcastle City Hall with 13
debutantes presented to Bishop Gleeson by Matron of Honour (Mrs H.J. Boland).
Flower girls: Clare McIlveen and Maime Wright.
Page 6
(4th Dec) First Parish Picnic to Blackalls Park. Ten carriage special train from
Hamilton carried 1,200 parishioners
Parish Picnic at Blackalls Park
Photo Courtesy of Newcastle Region Library
(11th Dec) Bishop Gleeson blesses Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in the
Tighes Hill Church.
Fr Grace had planned to buy property from Elizabeth St down Union Street. He could
not persuade the owners of the house on the corner of Elizabeth and Union Street to
sell. He was able to buy a house in Union Street from the McIness family. He then
purchased the house on the corner of Tighes Terrace and Union Street occupied by the
Harkins family and the Feeney family house next door in Tighes Terrace. The small
house next door to the Feeney’s was later bought and demolished to make a larger
playground for the school. The former Harkins and Feeney homes were later
demolished to make way for the current Church and former presbytery in Tighes
Terrace.
1933
Tennis Club Ball. Vince O’Leary, Secretary
1930s At times there were seven sisters teaching at the school. In 1939 four State bursaries
were gained. In 1940 five State bursaries were won. One former student who later
went on to become a Judge of the Supreme Court was Hilary Studdart. He won a
bursary under Sr M. Baptist. Hilary and took his bursary at St Stanislaus College in
Bathurst. Many years later when called to give a speech at St Stanislaus he said he
owed a debt of gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy in Tighes Hill. He said “these noble
nuns of ours are indomitable, counting nothing too hard when there is question of
laying deep and strong the foundation of true Christianity. Australia will never be able
to repay them.”
1936
(20th May) foundation stone of the Science Block (first building at the new Technical
College) laid by Mr Drummond, Minister for Education
Page 7
1936
(June) Rosedale Hall extended and a cottage in Bryant St purchased for Young Men’s
Club. In the 1940s Fr Delaney was to encourage some young men of the parish to
form a band and use the house for practice.
1942
(16th August) Recently ordained Fr Gerald Kelly M.S.C. celebrated Mass at Tighes
Hill
1944
Five students (George Pink, Andrew Nolan, Rex Carmody, Jan Pembroke, Mary Leis)
of St Patrick’s school, Tighes Hill win State Bursaries
Children of Mary from Tighes Hill Parish
1948
Fr Grace transferred to Raymond Terrace and replaced by Fr T Gloster. Fr Gloster was
a keen fisherman and regular travelled to Soldiers Point and other good fishing spots
with men of the parish.
1950
Carrington, parts of Hamilton and Tighes Hill Parishes (from The Avenue to Downie
St) given to the newly established Parish of Our Lay of Perpetual Succour, Wickham.
1951
University College opens on the campus of current Hunter Institute of TAFE. Many
young priests studied at the University College and boarded at Tighes Hill presbytery
(this explains the rapid turnover of assistant priests through out the 1950-60s).
(5-6th Oct) Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima travels through Diocese as part of
world tour – huge crowds and devotions including midnight prayers at the Cathedral
in Maitland, great crowds at the Redemptorist Monastery, Mayfield. Although only
here for 20 ours it is estimated that 15,000 people participated in the 19
prayer/devotion stops within the Diocese
1953
(15th Feb) Bishop Gleeson blesses and open Tighes Tce presbytery
(23rd Mar) Fr Grace died at Mater Misericordia Hospital and buried at Raymond
Terrace
Page 8
Bishop Gleeson and Fr Gloster at blessing of Foundation Stone 14/11/1954
1954
(14th Nov) Bishop Gleeson blesses and lays foundation stone for Tighes Hill Church
Cnr Tighes Tce and Union St. There were fundraising activities for years leading up to
the commencement of building. One of the fundraising activities was for people to
buy/sponsor furniture and fittings for the new church. There was also house to house
collection to raise funds for the new church.
Fr Gloster addresses congregation at Blessing of Foundation Stone 14/11/1954
Photo courtesy of the State Library of NSW
Page 9
Construction of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill 1954-55
Page 10
Construction of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill 1954-55
Page 11
Arthur Benfield, Designer and artist of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill
Photo courtesy of Fred Sinfield
Don Benfield (son of Arthur) assisting
in the painting of the sanctuary mural
at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church,
Tighes Hill
Page 12
St Pius X Primary School for boys, Union Street Tighes Hill 1955
Photos courtesy of State Library of NSW
1955
(23rd January) St Pius X Primary School for boys opens with 5th and 6th class boys in
Union St (now used for Mercy Community Services). School staff by Marist Bros
Page 13
with Br Faber Principal. Both the Church and Pius X School were designed by the
Gannon family of Architects (Peter Jerome Gannon, John Kevin Gannon and their
uncle John Patrick). Gannon’s also designed the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in
1932, Nurse’s home and Convent for the mater hospital, Murray Dwyer Orphanages
(Mayfield and Maitland), college at Aberdeen, and churches at Mayfield, Bulahdelah,
Condobolin, Manilla, Kurri-Kurri, Adamstown, Branxton, Cooks Hill, Denman,
Booragul, Aberdeen, Shortland, Gateshead and Beresfield.
The Mercy Sisters School in Tighes Hill has 250 students.
Bishop Toohey Blessing Immaculate
Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill
27/11/1955
27th November) estimated to have cost £105,0003 the Church of Immaculate Heart of
Mary blessed and opened by Bishop Toohey at 10am with inaugural novena to Our
Lady of Fatima at 7.30pm (church described as a shrine to Our Lady of Fatima)
3
The Catholic Weekly 27 Feb 2005 Pg 22 – this price probably includes the presbytery
Page 14
First Mass in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill 27/11/1955
Note the angels have not yet been painted on the sanctuary walls
Advertisement placed in The Sentinel (the local Catholic
newspaper) for the opening of Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church, Tighes Hill
The altar on the
day of the first
Mass (note the
plaque of the Last
Supper on the front,
the candles sticks
and the framed
prayers of the Latin
Mass – all of which
the Church still
owns)
Page 15
1958
(December) Marist Brothers withdraw from Pius X School and Diocesan priests take
on staffing in 1959
Pope John XXIII elected. The following is the prayer Bishop Toohey asked all
parishes to pray for the occasion.
1959
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish holds a major fundraising campaign/Canvass to pay
for new Church and repair school and convent. The Canvass booklet makes clear that
it is the men of the parish who are responsible for raising the funds. There was also a
women’s auxiliary who no doubt organised the household budget and hosted a
“Loyalty Dinner” during the fundraising campaign.
The men of the fundraising Group in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill 1959
Page 16
The women’s auxiliary as photographed in the Canvas booklet,
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill 1959
1961
(January) Pius X school moves from Tighes Hill to Adamstown
First Communion Group in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill 1962
Page 17
1964
(19th July) Fr Brian Gibbons celebrates his first Mass at Tighes Hill
1966
(February) St Anne’s High School opens temporary premises at Tighes Hill. Staffed
by Dominicans, Josephites and Mercy's. Sr M. Bartholomew R.S.M. first Principal
1967
(January) St Anne’s transfers to Adamstown
1970
(6th November) Fr Gloster died at Mater Misericordia Hospital and buried at Sandgate
after a Solemn Requiem Mass at Tighes Hill
1971
(December) Pupils transferred from Bryant St School to former Pius X building which
had been empty for a few years
1973
Wickham Parish closed and parts of Maryville revert to Tighes Hill Parish, with
Carrington reverting to Newcastle Parish. At this time Sunday Mass usually fills the
Tighes Hill Church
1975
(December) St Patrick’s School Tighes hill closes and most children go to Sacred
Heart School, Hamilton and St Columban’s School, Mayfield
1976
Mercy Community Care Service transferred from Toronto to the old school buildings
in Union Street, Tighes Hill. Administrator Sr Berris Livermore RSM. From then to
now there are many parishioners of Tighes Hill involved in assisting the work of
Mercy Care through the day care centre and in fundraising.
1979
(24 March) Carrington becomes part of Hamilton Parish
1980s Tongan and Samoan communities with their choirs start participating in Masses at the
invitation of Fr O’Donovan. Tighes Hill participates in Renew program for parish
renewal with faith sharing meetings in parishioner’s homes and social activities
1986
Fencing around Church
1990s Carrington and Tighes Hill one Parish with a Sunday Mass at each Church
1991
$14,260 earthquake repairs to Church
1992
Parish holds Mass
and celebration
for Fr
ODonovan’s
Golden Jubilee of
Priesthood
Page 18
1995
$17,550 internal painting and installation of fans
1997
The parish sells the old convent to the Society of St Vincent de Paul so the building
can be used to accommodate young people from the country who are studying in
Newcastle.
1998
Monsignor Hart while Parish Priest of Hamilton also takes on care of Tighes Hill
when Fr O’Sullivan retires. At this time Carrington loses it’s Sunday Mass
1999
(30th September) B.H.P. Steelworks officially closes in Mayfield
The National Evangelisation Team (N.E.T.) set up a ministry based in Tighes Hill and
serving the inner city parishes. Five young adults (Steve, Louise, Melanie, Laura and
Andrew) devoted a year of their life’s to sharing their faith with other young people in
schools and parishes.
2001
(2nd July) the presbytery was leased to Centacare as a base for it’s Youth
Accommodation Support Service.
2002
In the late 20th Century there was a re-emergence of the sanctity of creation and the
theology of interconnectedness rather than human domination. Through the 1990s
many community members put this aspect of their faith into action. Matthew Kelly
and Paul Smith were two of the members of the community who were very involved
in the Throsby Landcare organisation. Throsby Landcare was responsible for the
cleaning and replanting of the Throsby Creek and environs. One of this groups other
initiatives was the Throsby Regatta Carnival, a festival to educate the community
about environmental issues and engender a greater feeling of pride in the local area.
The highlight of the Carnival was the Throsby Regatta, a land boat race. In 2002
Immaculate Heart of Mary community host a face painting stall at the carnival and
contribute runners for the Combined Churches team who go on to win the bottomless
boat land race and the coveted Golden Gumboot prize. As our team ran down the
home stretch the race announcer shouted repeatedly “The Christian’s are winning, yes
it’s the Christians by a boat length”
Page 19
2000s For many years the Tighes Hill community has made monthly contributions to the
works of Catholic Mission. This shows our concern for those less fortunate than
ourselves and our desire to build a more just world.
2005
The Tighes Hill Catholic community is smaller and on average older than the
community that built the 1955 church. We feel privileged to have inherited such a
pious and practical legacy. The church building and the actions of this little
community show that we live the love of the God who loves us. We still identify
strongly with Mary, the mother of Christ, and take her as our model in following
Jesus. Today we would emphasise Mary of the Magnificat (Lk 1: 46- 55) – full of
gratitude, humility, prayerfulness, commitment to the poor and total trust that God will
bring all things to good. Our community is like Mary in being one of the anawim (the
term in scripture used to describe God’s poor/little ones). Our Christian way of life
will continue to have as our companion Mary, the first and most devoted of Jesus’
followers.
Page 20
Parish Patron Saints
The Catholic community of Tighes Hill has always enjoyed the patronage of Mary the mother
of Christ.
Immaculate Conception (1921-1955)
Originally the Parish was given the patronage of the Immaculate Conception. This long held
traditional belief was proclaim as doctrine by Pope Piux IX in 1854. Immaculate Conception
means that Mary's has from the moment of her conception been free of original sin. The term
immaculate refers to the “stainless” quality of Mary not her conception which was absolutely
normal. The scriptural basis for the belief is the angel Gabriel saying, "Hail, full of grace, the
Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). The holiness, faith and simplicity of Mary, Jesus first disciple,
is an example to all Christians.
Immaculate Heart of Mary (1955- )
In the New Testament, there are two references to the Heart of Mary in the Gospel according
to St. Luke: .."Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. " (Lk 2: 19)
and "His mother meanwhile kept all these things in her heart." (Lk 2:51).
In the Old Testament, the heart is seen as the symbol of the depths of the human person –
their essential drives and choices. In the Book of Deuteronomy we are told, "You shall love
the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength."
(Dt. 6:5) This is the passage that Jesus quotes to the scribes as the first commandment (Mk.
12:29-31).
Historically, devotion to the Heart of Mary can be traced to the
twelfth century with such writers as St. Anselm (d. 1109) and St.
Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153). St. Bernardine of Siena (13801444) has been called the Doctor of the Heart of Mary due to his
writings on Mary's heart. He wrote, "from her heart, as from a
furnace of Divine Love, the Blessed Virgin spoke the words of the
most ardent love." St. John Eudes (1601 -1680) helped by his
writings to begin a renewal in this devotion.
Devotion to Mary's Heart became universally popular following
the manifestation of the Miraculous Medal to St. Catherine
Laboure in 1830 and the Appearances of' Our Lady in Fatima
who said: "to save poor sinners, God wishes to establish in the
world devotion to my Immaculate Heart." In 1942, the twentyfifth anniversary of Fatima, Pope Pius XII consecrated the world
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. On May 4, 1944, he extended
the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the Universal Church.
Page 21
The Story of Fatima
Between May 13th and October 13th 1917, three
shepherd children near the town of Fatima,
Portugal saw a vision of Mary the mother of Christ.
The three children were brother and sister
Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucy
dos Santos. Our Lady appeared to the children six
times with a message that all people must repent
and pray the rosary.
During the apparitions Our Lady revealed
prophecies to the children known as three secrets.
The first two secrets contained a frightening vision
of hell, the need for devotion to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, that there would be a Second World War, and that Russia would inflict much
suffering on humanity by abandoning the Christian faith. The third secret was only recently
revealed by Pope John Paul II and is very apocalyptic showing in particular attacks upon the
Church and the Pope.4
The Catholic Church has officially endorsed the Fatima Message "as worthy of belief" since
1930. The apparitions are not essential articles of faith and Catholics are free to not believe
them. The message of Fatima was popular with many Catholics. During the difficult period of
the Depression and the two World Wars people sought the nurturing care of the Mother of
Christ. The simplicity of the rosary allowed Catholics of all ages and backgrounds to engage
in prayer and penance.
A statue of Our Lady of Fatima was taken around many countries so that people could better
connect with the message. The statue came to the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle on 5-6th
October 1951 thousands of people making a pilgrimage to the statue. Pope Pius XII
proclaimed a Marian Year to be observed from December 8, 1953, to December 8, 1954. The
purpose of the year was to encourage prayer and a greater appreciation of the role of Mary.
It is within this context that the Tighes Hill community decided that their new church building
would have a shrine to Our Lady of Fatima and that the Parish would take on the patronage of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Arthur Benfield the artist who created the mural and stained glass windows also painted a
very ornate book on Our Lady of Fatima. The colours and calligraphy are quite beautiful.
4
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000626_messagefatima_en.html
Page 22
The 1955 Church Building
The first half of the 20th century saw the Tighes Hill area as a largely Catholic, densely
populated and socially close community. The large and extended families of the parish
resided in Islington, Mayfield East, Maryville and Tighes Hill. There was no television, no
disposable income and no cafés and night life to soak it up. The church’s religious, sporting
and social activities met the needs of most members.
After the trauma and deprivation of the World Wars and the Depression, the 1950s seemed so
full of promise and unfolding economic prosperity. In this environment the Catholic
community of Tighes Hill decided to erect a monument to its religion as an act of faith in the
benevolence of God. After 55 years of a temporary timber church, the parish would build a
permanent church. It would express the largely Irish and Marian oriented spirituality of the
parish’s clergy and people. Coming just after the Year of Mary in 1954 this church would be a
shrine to Mary the mother of Christ, particularly as revealed in the enormously popular
apparitions of Fatima, Portugal 1917.
On 27th November 1955 the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was blessed and opened
by Bishop Toohey. The presbytery next door had been completed in February of that year.
The building of the Tighes Hill Church on the corner of Union St and Tighes Terrace was one
of many churches built in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese in the 1950s. This period saw a
rapid increase in the Catholic population due to the higher migration and birth rate that
followed the end of World War II. The Bishop is reported to have said that there should be a
Catholic Church within walking distance of every Catholic home. The Tighes Hill community
church stands apart from many others in the extravagance of its decoration and its deliberate
focus as a means of this community consecrating itself to God through the devotion of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Arthur G Benfield, an incredibly talented and renowned artist, designed the church and
created the major paintings and stained glass windows in the church. Mr Benfield directed the
stained glass department of Frank O’Brien Pty Ltd Waterloo, Sydney. As a stained glass artist
he was known for using more vibrant colours than was typical of the era. In his work at
Tighes Hill, Arthur Benfield was joined by his son Don. The mural Mr Benfield painted in
Tighes Hill was described in many journals as an excellent example of his talent and piety.
Other commissions for which Mr Benfield received notoriety are the entrance windows and
chapel windows at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill 1938-19405 and the Mitchell Library
windows, Sydney, the mural at St Gabriel’s Church, Bexley and the stained glass windows at
Catholic Church at Moruya.
Mr Benfield was not a registered architect. When he designed church buildings he would
always have to find a local architect who would approve his work and submit it under their
name. In Tighes Hill Peter Gannon was enlisted to assist Mr Benfield. The Gannon family of
architects (Peter Jerome, John Kevin and their uncle John Patrick) were the architects of many
local Catholic churches and schools as well as many of the buildings of the Mater
Misericordiae Hospital, Waratah. The originality of Mr Benfield is evident in the Tighes Hill
church being of a completely different design from other “Gannon churches”.
5
Zimmer (1984)
Page 23
The main features of the church were:
Relics
There is a stone set in the wall above the foundation stone that has come from the foundations
of the 4th century church built on the place of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
Sanctuary mural
The central panel of the sanctuary wall is covered in a painting that captures a 1950s view of
God’s work in the world. It uses the then current symbol of the entire Church as being the
“mystical body of Christ”. The “mystical body of Christ” is the image of Christ active in the
world through all Christians who are following his will in their own life and employment. In
the mural there is a separation of the church and secular areas, with men being over
represented. The central role of Christ is expressed at the base of the mural in a scroll
containing the words: “Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech” (Ps
110:4). Psalm 110 speaks of the Messiah as being both Priest and King to God’s people.
At the top of the painting is a dove, a traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit. Below this is an
old man with beard and flowing white hair, symbolizing God the Father. The Trinity section
is completed by Jesus adorned in the symbols of his glory. Jesus wears a crown as King, he is
dressed as a priest, he is shown in front of a cross with his arms outstretched and his palms are
bleeding but his face is peaceful. This is not the crucified Jesus of Good Friday – it is the
Risen Lord of Easter Sunday. The blood from Jesus’ hands is falling into chalices held by
angels showing the everlasting nature of his sanctifying act on Calvary which Catholics see as
remembered and continued in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Trinity is surrounded by a
golden background with many worshipping angels.
On the left side of the cross is the secular world with all characters kneeling towards the cross.
The first and largest figure is Mary the Mother of Jesus, at her feet is a family group (father
first, then mother, then child). The next row below shows a king; then behind him a judge;
then a draftsman (with the face of Mr Gannon) holding a plan of the church in one hand and a
book in the other with the words “Design by Benfield” on the cover; then a carpenter
(possibly with the face of a worker who died while building the church) and finally a farmer.
On the right side of the cross is a figure as large as Mary but whose identity is unclear. It is
probably St Brigid, patron saint of Ireland. At the base of this figure kneels Pope Pius XII
followed by a Bishop (probably St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, given the shamrocks at his
feet). It is said Father Gloster requested Bishop Toohey, the then Bishop of MaitlandNewcastle, not be included for personal reasons. Under these church leaders is Fr Gloster,
then Parish Priest, and behind him are four religious, possibly representing the founders of
orders serving the local church. There is a Carmelite Friar, a Dominican friar, a Daughter of
Charity and a Mercy Sister (probably with the face of Sr Mary Loreto, a music teacher at the
convent and former Carrington resident or Sr Mary Regis, the convent superior at the time).
Page 24
The Sanctuary Mural, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill, NSW by Arthur Benfield
Page 25
At the foot of the cross is the emblem of the Pope, the triple crown and crossed keys of St
Peter. Below is a cross of Irish design. On the left of the Irish cross are two coats of arms, the
Irish harp and that of Bishop Gleeson). Between these two coats of arms is an Irish tower. On
the right side is a coat of arms with the emblems of the States of Australia and below the coat
of arms of Bishop Toohey, the first Australian born Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle. On the
right side there is also a picture of the Tighes Hill church.
The symbolism is understandable given that this community had many Irish born members –
lay people, priests, brothers and sisters. The coats of arms of two bishops were likely because
of the usual situation of Bishop Toohey having been appointed coadjutor (Bishop in waiting)
in 1948 while Bishop Gleeson was still Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle.
At the base of the mural are four scenes of piety in everyday life: a family praying at an
outdoor shrine, a rural monk teaching a child, and two sacramental scenes, a Confirmation
ceremony and a priest marrying a couple. These are meant to show Fr Gloster’s progression to
priesthood.
High on the side walls of the sanctuary three angels were painted on either side of the mural,
looking towards the Christ figure in the mural.
First Communion Mass, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill, NSW (1956-58?)
Page 26
Altar
Under the mural was the altar which was raised above the sanctuary floor by three steps. The
altar was made of timber and painted white. The altar was pushed against the wall. There was
a large tabernacle in the centre with just enough room in front for the priest to celebrate the
Eucharist.
Pulpit
When it was first completed the church had a high pulpit on the right side of the sanctuary,
accessible through a door in the sacristy. It was unusual for a Catholic Church to have such a
prominent pulpit.
Sanctuary lamp
Originally the sanctuary lamp was on the right side of the sanctuary.
Sacred Heart Shrine
On the left side of the sanctuary was a shrine area with a statue of Jesus with Sacred Heart.
The background of this shrine was the same design and proportions as the pulpit on the
opposite side.
Altar rails
Originally there was an altar rail between the sanctuary area and the congregation with a
metal gate in the centre. At communion time people would kneel at the altar rail to receive
communion then move back to their seats.
Vessels and fittings
There is a silver plated chalice that has a worn inscription
which includes the date 1719. This is probably the oldest
liturgical vessel in the diocese.
Page 27
Sanctuary stained glass windows
There are tall stained glass windows on either side of
the mural.
On the left is Mary and under her is a crucifix on a
globe of the world showing South Eastern Australia.
On the globe Mr Benfield wrote points of interest
(Tasman Sea, Sydney and Newcastle) and drew a
whale off Tasmania and a ship off Newcastle. At the
base of this window is a panel showing an angel
holding a scroll that reads “Queen of the World”.
On the right is Mary, holding an Easter lily, with God
holding a crown over her head. Under Mary is a
panel showing the world, the sun, the moon and the
stars of the Southern Cross. At the base of this
window is a panel showing an angel holding a scroll
that says “Our Lady of the Assumption”.
There are four smaller
stained glass windows
at the top of the side
walls of the sanctuary.
These show Mary
Immaculate (note the
gumnut and gumleaf on
the rim of her cloak),
Queen of Peace,
Our Lady of Pentecost
and Our Lady, Help of
Christians (the stars of
the Southern Cross are
present as Mary is
Patron of the Australian
Church under this title).
Page 28
The Fatima Shrine
This shrine to Our Lady of Fatima was noted by advertisements for the opening of the church.
It shows Our Lady standing on a small cloud above a bush with the three children of Fatima
kneeling around it. This scene matches the apparitions the children described. The statue of
Our Lady is not the simple “lady in white” who appeared to the Fatima children but a
crowned figure with gold embossed gown – this is because the Church understands the lady to
be the mother of Christ now enjoying an exalted place in heaven.
The painted background behind the shrine had a picture of an eclipsed sun behind Our Lady’s
head – this is a reference to the movements of the sun witnessed in the Fatima apparitions.
The designers also embellished the story on the background behind the shrine. Originally this
area was painted with a sky scene with many white doves flying around our Lady and with a
white dove above her head in the pose often used to represent the Holy Spirit.
Fatima Shrine Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Tighes Hill, NSW (1956-58?)
Page 29
Mortuary
There is a large alcove towards the front on the left side of the church. This area was for the
casket to rest on the eve of a funeral but the practice is no longer allowed. The area is
currently a shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.
Baptistery
On the rear left hand side of the church there
was an alcove which housed a baptismal font.
Mr Benfield painted the walls in faux marble.
Choir loft painting
On the back wall of the church is a painting of
St Cecilia, patron saint of music, at a keyboard.
It is not known whether Arthur Benfield used a
local identity, such as one of the local Sisters.
Bell tower
The bell tower on the top of the church is visible from many parts of Newcastle. It was a
proud beacon of the piety of this little parish. Within the tower is a bell from the old (Union &
Bryant Sts) church. The bell is known as Patrick and is inscribed with the following prayer:
“Grant O Most Holy Virgin through thy most immaculate and gracious heart that this bell
may sound the praises of the one and true God calling a willing people to Sacred Things. May
it proclaim the mercy of God the Father and implore eternal rest for the faithful departed.”
Fr.s O’Dwyer and Gloster with “Patrick”
Photo courtesy of Newcastle Regional Library
Page 30
Post Vatican II renovations
•
the angels painted on the sanctuary wall on either side of the mural are painted over.
•
Altar rails were removed
•
The sanctuary lamp moved to the left side of the sanctuary
•
Sacred Heart shrine removed
•
Pulpit removed (doorway from sacristy was covered over) and replaced with a more
simple wooden lectern on the right side of the sanctuary
•
Altar removed and replaced with a more simple timber table on the sanctuary floor near
the congregation (the raised area was left in place as the tabernacle was left on a ledge
under the mural)
•
A presider chair was placed on the left side of the sanctuary mirroring the placement of
the lectern on the opposite side.
•
Painting over the faux marbling around the Fatima shrine.
2005 renovations
•
Paint inside and out
•
Extra handrails added
•
Clear protective barrier on outside of stained glass (replacing wire mesh)
•
Statues repainted
•
Mural cleaned, repaired and sealed
Page 31
Firsts of the Parish of Tighes Hill
Father James McGurk – First Parish Priest of the newly created Parish of Tighes Hill
First Baptism:
22nd May 1921 – Valerie Eliz. Emily Woods of Mayfield East
First Marriage: 23rd May 1921 – Walter Herbert Mitchell of Quirindi and Therese Ruby
Wood of Mayfield East
First Funeral:
6th January 1922 – Cornelius Gilshannon
Father Patrick Grace
First Baptism:
10th April 1932 – David Rayner, Nancy O’Brien, John Campbell
First Marriage: 30th April1932 – Charles Prout and Agnes Tearle of Hillgrove
First Funeral:
9th August 1932 – Anthony Sarks
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Church (cnr Union St & Tighes Tce Tighes Hill)
First Baptism:
11th December 1955 – June Marie Connelly and Mark Glendon Bird
both of East Mayfield
First Marriage: 28thy December 1955 – Fredrick Michael Moore of Tighes Hill and
Agnes Marcie McMahon of Georgetown
First Funeral:
23rd December1955 – Leo P. Hickey
Page 32
Roamin’ Catholics
Priest’s residence
1.
House guest in Henry
Street, (Bingle Hill)
2.
13 Park Road
3.
24 Tighes Terrace
Primary School
9.
Rosedale Hall
10.
Bryant Street
11.
Bryant Street
12.
Union Street
Sister’s residence
4.
Union Street
5.
Park Road
Church
6.
Rosedale Hall
7.
Bryant Street
8.
Tighes Terrace
Pius X Boys Secondary School
13.
Union Street
14.
Adamstown
St Anne’s Girls Secondary School
15.
Union Street
16.
Adamstown
=
1
Henry St
6, 9
7, 10
=
Bryant St
11
=
8
3
Tighes Tce
2
5
4
12, 13, 15
Page 33
Hannell St
=
Union St
Maitland Rd
Elizabeth St
Parish Ministers
Parish Priests
Fr O’Donohue
Assistant Priests
Fr Hugh Cullen
Pastoral Associates
Fr Upton
1921
Fr James McGurk
1932
(7th April) Fr Patrick Grace Fr John Burke (1932-1935)
Fr J. Mullen (1935-1936)
Fr N Withnell (1936-1939)
Fr W Cantwell (1939-1941)
Fr H Wibberly (1941)
Fr John Delaney (1941-1946)
Fr W Cantwell (1946-1948)
Fr John Newton (1948-1950)
1948
Fr Thomas Gloster
1970
Fr John Quinn
1972
Fr Terry Sylvester
1982
Fr M O’Donovan
Fr D McAlinden (1950-1952)
Fr M O’Donovan (1952-1953)
Fr John Delaney (1953 Administrator)
Fr Larry O’Dwyer (1955-1957)
Fr Peter Williams (1957-1960)
Fr J Doran (1960-1961)
Fr J Carson (1961-1962)
Fr T Lynam (1962-1966)
Fr T Williams (1966-1967)
Fr Michael Dargan (1967-1968)
1990s Fr Tom O’Sullivan
1998
Fr A. Hart
Fr Jim Saunders ( -)
Fr Glen Walsh ( - )
Fr John Alexander (2005-)
Page 34
Sr Jeannine French rsj (-)
Sisters of Mercy who lived/worked in Tighes Hill
Since the opening of the first school in Rosedale Hall in 1895 through to 2005.
Sincere apologies to any who may have been overlooked.
Sr. M. Stanislaus
Sr. M. Columbanus
Sr. M. de Paul
Sr. M. Berchmans
Sr. M. Benedict
Sr. M. Concepta
Sr. M. Ligouri
Sr. M. Thecla
Sr. M. Regis
Sr. M. Justina
Sr. M. Anthony
Sr. M. Paulinus
Sr. M. Athanasius
Sr. M. Borgia
Sr. M. Christopher
Sr. M. Veronica
Sr. M. Callista
Sr. M. Gabriel
Sr. M. Josepha
Sr. M. Cecilia
Sr. M. Xavier
Sr. M. Dolores
Sr. M. Cleophas
Sr. M. Cyprian
Sr. M. Baptista
Sr. M. Anselm
Sr. Teresa Mary
Sr. M. St. Peter
Sr. M. Loreto
Sr. M. St. Monica
Sr. Frances Stace
Sr. M. Beatrice
Sr. Mary Thompson
Sr. Yvonne Wynn
Sr. M. Louis
Sr. M. Roberta
Sr. M. Canice
Sr. Maria Joseph
Sr. M. de Porres
Sr. Marie Dagg
Sr. M. Jacinta
Sr. M. Assumpta (Ballarat)
Sr. M. Ita
Sr. M. Kevin
Sr. M. Madeleine
Sr. M. Josephine
Sr. M. Ursula
Sr. M. Austin
Sr. M. Mechtilde
Sr. M. Margaret
Sr. M. Oliver
Sr. M. Louise
Sr. M. Rita
Sr. M. Francesca
Sr. M. Vincent
Sr. M. Edmund
Sr. M. Celestine
Sr. M. Andrew
Sr. Moya Lantry
Sr. M. Dominica
Sr. M. Baptist
Sr. M. Peter
Sr. M. Philomena
Sr. M. Pius
Sr. M. Francis
Sr. M. Alberta
Sr. M. Julie
Sr. M. Beatrice
Sr. Theophane Mary
Sr. Benedicta Mary
Sr. Marie Madeleine
Sr. Margaret McLeod
Sr. Pauline Murray
Sr. Jean Howard
Sr. Eileen Tobin
Sr. M. Christina
Sr. Janette Fidler
Sr. Pat Adams
Sr. Mary O’Hearn
Sr. Anne Nixon
Sr. Ann Moylan
Sr. Mary Inkston
Sr. M. Cecily
Sr. Val O’Hara
Page 35
Sr. M. Peter
Sr. M. Rosario
Sr. M. Carmel
Sr. M. Casimir
Sr. M. Ignatius Loyola
Sr. M. Joseph
Sr. M. Bernard
Sr. M. Angela
Sr. M. Colette
Sr. M. Julian
Sr. M. Vianney
Sr. M. Borromeo
Sr. M. Luke
Sr. M. Felicitas
Sr. M. Gemma
Sr. M. Canisius
Sr. M. Scholastica
Sr. Marie Perpetua
Sr. M. Winifred
Sr. M. Felix
Sr. M. de Chantal
Sr. M. Bridget
Sr. M. Denise
Sr. M. Clare
Sr. M. Bartholomew
Sr. Gertrude Mary
Sr. Marie Elizabeth
Sr. Marie Rose
Sr. Marie Catherine
Sr. Margaret Burgess
Sr. M. Martin
Sr. Ann Thomson
Sr. Maureen Torpey
Sr. Patricia Whitten
Sr. Marie Therese
Sr. Christine Donohue
Sr. Pam Meyn
Sr. Michelle Fenwick
Sr. Mary Kleinschafer
Sr. M. Aquinas
Sr. Mary O’Connor
Sr. Wendy Bartlett
Vocations to the Priesthood or Religious Life from Tighes Hill
Fr. E. C. (Ted) Jordan Diocesan Clergy
Fr. R. Picken Diocesan Clergy
Fr. B. Gibbons Diocesan Clergy
Fr. H.J. (Harry) Jordan M.S.C.
Fr. E. C. (Con) Jordan M.S.C.
Fr. G. Kelly M.S.C.
Fr. A. Guest M.S.C.
Bro. Joseph McCabe F.M.S.
Florense Stuart............................................ Sr. M. Eucharia, R.S.J.
Jeannie Kane ............................................. Sr. M. Cleophas, R.S.J.
Ursula Kane................................................ Sr. Catherine Teresa, R.S.J.
Mary Kane.................................................. Sr. Therese, O. Carm.
Annie Kane................................................. Sr. Ann, O. Carm.
Sadie Kane.................................................. Sr. Paul Marie, O. Carm.
Mary Mowbray........................................... Sr. M. Monica, O.L.S.H.
Myra Mowbray........................................... Sr. M. Leonard, O.P.
Nellie Goudge ............................................ Sr. M. Juliana, O.P.
Colleen McGuirk........................................ Sr. M. Bernard, O.P.
Enid Jones .................................................. Sr. Josephine Marie, O. Carm.
R.S.M.(Sisters of Mercy)
Anne (Nance) O’Hara ................................ Sr. M. Augustine
Hilda Hughes.............................................. Sr. Marie Philomena
Mary Dunning ............................................ Sr. Concepta
Evelyn Bowe .............................................. Sr. Ursula
Vera Bowe.................................................. Sr. Dorothea
Margaret (Madge) Stedman ....................... Sr. M. Cyril
Connie Hourigan ........................................ Sr. M. Paulinus
Dulcie Walmsley ........................................ Sr. M. Columbkille
Margaret (Pebbie) Negline ......................... Sr. Marie Bernard
Mavis Leis .................................................. Sr. M. St. Anne
Janette Fidler .............................................. Sr. M. Killian
Mary Ross .................................................. Sr. M. Pius
Veronica Considine .................................... Sr. Theophane Mary
Mary Balkin................................................ Sr. Marie Perpetua
Marie Maynard........................................... Sr. M. John of God
Kathleen Chapman ..................................... Sr. Teresa Mary
Patricia McGinty ........................................ Sr. M. Justina
Frances Gannon.......................................... Sr. M. Laboure
Val O’Hara ................................................. Sr. M. Michael
Margaret White .......................................... Sr. Madeleine Sophie
Molly Crump .............................................. Sr. M. Alphonsus
Doreen Payne ............................................. Sr. M. Denise
Margaret Leis ............................................. Sr. M. Bonaventure
Rita Casey .................................................. Sr. M. Bruno
Page 36
References
Photocopy of excerpts of “Architects of the Hunter Valley”
Benfield, Don (unpublished) "Arthur Gordon Patrick Benfield. JP, His Life, 1912-1988."
Hall, Maureen “Notes on the history of Tighes Hill Parish on the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of the founding of Tighes Hill parish”
Hooton, Elizabeth “Notes on the history of Tighes Hill Parish on the occasion of the 90th
anniversary of the founding of Tighes Hill parish”
Sinfield, Fredrik (1999) The Australian Antique Collector, 57th Edition July-December 1999 page
119 with a photo of the mural.
Singleton Mercy Sisters “Notes on the History of Tighes Hill Parish”
Sternbeck, Michael (1984) With Hearts and Hands and Voices: The Centenary History of the
Sacred Heart Parish Hamilton 1884-1984 Knight Brothers Printery Pty Ltd, Newcastle
(Auchmuty Library 282.9442 Ster-1)
The Catholic Weekly 27 Feb 2005
Tighes Hill Public School 1878-1978: A Commemorative Booklet (Auchmuty Library
Q372.99442/1)
Zimmer, Jenny (1984) Stained Glass in Australia Oxford University Press, Melbourne
(Huxley Library 748.59994/21/Z1)
www.aboriginalhunter.com
www.catholicencycolpaedia.com
http://www.udayton.edu/mary/
http://www.fatima.org/story2.html
Page 37