ANAKIE: In 1857 the parish was formed under the care of Fr Ronald Rankin, the site was purchased and in September of the same year a tender was let for the construction of a wooden building. Early in 1871 a replacement brick church was constructed and the first mass was held by Fr O’Callaghan in July 1871.

St Brigid’s, 2439 Geelong-Ballan Road, Anakie

BANNOCKBURN: The site for St John’s was bought in October 1900, the church was opened early April 1901 and the first mass conducted by the Rev Fr Lowe of the Vincention Order. After an arson attack completely demolished the church and many fund raisers, bequests etc St Mary MacKillop Church was built and the first Mass was held by Fr Charles Balnaves in November 2019.

St Mary MacKillop Church, 24 High Street Bannockburn

INVERLEIGH: The Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built in 1933, possibly as a means of providing work during the Depression. The present church replaced an earlier timber church on this site which in turn replaced another on a site near the Inverleigh Cemetery.

Sacred Heart, 70 Hamilton Highway, Inverleigh

MEREDITH: The first Mass was celebrated by Fr Symth at the home of John Campion in 1838. St Joseph’s Catholic Church was built in 1860 and the present church was built and was opened and dedicated 15th August 1890. The church was extended and enlarged and the first presbytery was built in1878 with Lethbridge bluestone with facings of Waurn Ponds Limestone. The stone was removed 1898-1899 and replaced with weatherboards. This building was sold and the present brick presbytery was built in 1961.

St Joseph’s, 28 Lawler Street, Meredith

WINCHELSEA: As early as 1842 Catholic pioneers living in the area received occasional visits from a priest to minister to their spiritual needs. He was Fr Michael Stephens. St John the Baptist Church was dedicated and officially opened on 18th December 1892 with Archbishop Carr in attendance.

St John the Baptist, 5 Mercer Street, Winchelsea

FORMER CHURCHES IN OUR PARISH

• St Mary’s Gnarwarre (1850-1895)

• St Thomas Steiglitz (1868-1927)

• St John’s Darriwil (1858-1952)

• St Joseph’s Teesdale (1876-1954)

• St Alphonsus Lal Lal (1913-1961)

• St Mary’s Lethbridge (1860-2012)

• St Patrick’s Elaine (1860-2013)