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-- PaulKlemick - 11 Aug 2004

Church of the Sacret Heart

In February, 1871, the first Roman Catholic Church on the Taieri was erected on the upper side of the main Road, opposite the "Grange" gates. The site of about 2 acres (Part of Section 35, Irregular Block, East Taieri), was donated by J. J. B. McGregor to Bishop Moran for this purpose. There were about three reasons which gave rise to the church building, being; Neill McGregor had been a trustee for the church in Dunedin, advancing money for the church at Milton, was a member of the building committee to erect the East Taieri Presbyterian church and school house and for a time it seemed that the predicted town of Riccarton would eventuate to be the chief centre of the Plains.

• Father Lenihan 1874-1884:
  When the first Bishop, Dr. Moran arrived in Dunedin in 1871, to establish a diocese in Otago, he opened the first Catholic church on the Taieri Plain, and consecrated it the "Church of the Sacred Heart". This was the only Catholic Church in the area between Dunedin and Milton. Two years later the parish of Milton was formed. The Milton Parish was then a large area extending from Green Island to the Catlins River. The first Parish Priests to minister the parish were Father Coleman of Dunedin and Father Lenihan of Milton, whose eleven years of strenuous service took such a toll of his health that he was forced to retire temporarily from active services in 1884.

The erection of a Roman Catholic church and school at East Taieri is in contemplation. The proposed site is at the Grange, and 50 pounds, according to a Tokomairiro paper, has already been raised in the Otakia district in aid of the building fund. "Otago Daily Times", 17th June 1870.

The right Rev Dr. Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, will on next Sunday consecrate the newly erected Catholic church in East Taieri (or Grange) at 11 o'clock on Mr. McGregor's farm, East Taieri.

A four horse coach will leave the Gridiron Hotel, tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock sharp, for the purpose of conveying parties desirous of witnessing the above interesting ceremony, returning immediately after. Fares moderate. (Public Notices). "Otago Daily Times", 25th February 1871.

The consecration of the handsome new Roman Catholic Chapel, lately erected at East Taieri, took place on Sunday 26 February 1871. There were about 300 present, a good many of whom had come from Dunedin, and others from Tokomairiro, West Taieri and Kuri Bush. The ceremony was performed by the Rt. Rev. Father Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, assisted by the Rev. Father Coleman and the Rev. Father Maloney who sang High Mass after which the Bishop preached an impressive sermon on the Holy Sacrifice of the New Law. He was listened to with marked attention throughout. He congratulated the people on the handsome new chapel they had erected, and which he had now opened and trusted they might long be able to meet together and support one another in the good work. He also added that he was greatly pleased to be able to state that they were free from debt. The choir sang several pieces to great effect during the proceedings. The congregation deserve great credit for the neatness of the chapel and its appointments, as well as for the efforts they have made to have it clear of all debt. "Otago Daily Times", 27th February 1871.

Infrequent as the religious ceremonies were in the church at this time due to the fewness of priests, the chapel building on the rise looking over the Taieri Plains was to the Catholics of the district a silent witness to them of God's presence in their joys and sorrows. The McGregor family had since leased this farm and had moved from the "Grange" to "Ellensdale", named after their youngest daughter. McGregor's home had been a veritable "haven of rest" to travelling priests on the early missions. But whenever Sunday Mass was to be celebrated in the little chapel at East Taieri the Catholics would gather from all over the Taieri with a sense of pride, faith and joy.

• Father James O'Neill 1884-1901:
  Bishop Moran could see that the little church at East Taieri was inadequate to cater for the growing population of Mosgiel and also that it was not conveniently situated for the great number of Catholics now living in Mosgiel.

Sixteen years later the foundation stone of St Mary's Church in Gordon Road, Mosgiel, was laid by Bishop Moran on the 19th of June 1887. It is believed on the 24th of June 1887, the church at Riccarton (East Taieri) was taken down and re-erected at Greytown for the accommodation of Polish Catholics who resided there. The site for the church was bought from Mr John Mitchell, a settler, in 1887. It was Father James O'Neill (1884-1904), of the Milton Parish, who supervised the dismantling and rebuilding at the new site.

The blessing and opening of the Catholic Church "Sacred Heart" at Greytown was officiated by Bishop Moran which took place on the 19th of October 1888, being the first Polish Church in the South Island. To help cover costs of re-erection a concert at Greytown was given in the Athenaeum Hall, on Friday, April the 20th, 1888.

• Church of the Sacred Heart as a wooden structure:
  The following is a report of the mass which was held on the 14th of October, 1888:

GREYTOWN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

The church recently erected at Greytown was opened last Sunday forenoon by the Most Rev. Dr Moran. High mass was celebrated by the Bishop, Father O'Neil being deacon; and Father Lynch, sub deacon. There was a large attendance, the building being found insufficient to accommodate all who had put in an appearance. The greater part of the congregation is composed of Polish Catholics, and during the sermon the Bishop appropriately referred to the struggles which Poland had been made in the past in the cause of their religion.

In his introductory remarks, His Lordship said that he had come to dedicate the church, with all the ceremony they could command under the circumstances. It has been dedicated to Almighty God as the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He congratulated them on the erection of the building, which was alike creditable to them and to their pastor. It supplied a long-felt want, and he trusted it would be the means of great spiritual advancement. The majority of people who would worship in this church belonged to the Polish nation, who held a conspicuous place in history as a nation, which existed no longer - that was, it was no longer known in its political capacity. They were a great Catholic people: full of faith; full of piety; practicing their holy religion, and making for it the very greatest sacrifices that people could make. He then dwelt upon the way in which the Polish people, throughout all their persecution had adhered to the Roman Catholic faith; and said that he had no doubt that a great and good day was in store for Poland; he hoped that it would be so and that it would become once more a great Roman Catholic nation. Europe was indebted to the Polish nation for stemming the Mohammedan invasion which had threatened to over-run it. Something was in store for a people who had been so faithful and so brave and who had made so many sacrifices for God and their church. He trusted that they, representatives of that illustrious nation, would never prove themselves to be unworthy of the history of the race to which they belonged. He trusted that the Poles here would give good examples to their fellow Catholics. He hoped that the children would be gathered together in the church every Sunday, and that some of the devoted men of the congregation would come and teach them the catechism - the great truths of their holy religion. He prayed that Almighty God would bless this church and bless the congregation which would worship it.

The musical portion of the ceremony was provided by the Mosgiel Roman Catholic Choir, Madam Ivens presiding at the harmonium.

Visitors were present from Tokomairiro, Kuri Bush, Mosgiel and other districts. The collection amounted to the handsome sum of Ł75. "The Taieri Advocate", 17th October 1888.

Fund-raising continued until the turn of the century in aid of the Allanton church.

• Allanton Church after renovations in 1948:
  As time moved on, so had most of the Poles, moving to greener pastures. The faithful congregation resulted in a decrease in attendance and subsequent deterioration of the Church. However, in 1948, Father M. W. Woods was successful in having the building completely remodelled and clad in roughcast. An appeal for contributions was made by Father Loughnan, who said that the renovations to the building had cost Ł1140. The re-opening of the church was celebrated with a Mass officiated by Right Rev. Mgr. Delany, V.G. on the 19th of September and the Church returned to full use. After mass, afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation at the Allanton public hall. The collection with donations contibuted to Ł36 towards the renovations.

• Right: Allanton Church in 1948:
  

During 1991, a family reunion was held at Allanton in memory of Antoni Velenski, Martha Smolenski, Arthur Palmer and deceased relatives and friends, on Sunday the 27th of October. The celebration was held at the Sacred Heart Church and followed by a picnic in which 150 family members reunited.

• Allanton Catholic Church today:
  On Sunday the 4th of Ocotber 1998, saw a Polish Mass celebtrated by Polish Priest, Father Zenon Broniarczyk from Wellington admist a week of celebrations for the 150th Anniversary of the Otago/Southland province.

On the 3rd of May 2003, a mass was held in the church for the Polish community to celebrate "The Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland - Polish National Day. The celebrant was Fr. Pat Maloney.

Today the church is not in further use and has fullen to disrepair soon to be deconsecrated after 133 years, being the oldest Catholic church in the area.

• Allanton Church today: