General News
28 April, 2022
Memories treasured at church farewell
SUNDAY was a bittersweet day for members of the Derrinallum community.
SUNDAY was a bittersweet day for members of the Derrinallum community.
St Joseph Church Derrinallum congregation members gathered for a final mass at the church on Sunday.
The day was a chance to celebrate and reflect on the 100 year history of the church.
Long-term parishioner Gerard FitzGerald said mass has not been held at St Joseph’s in about 12 months following the merging of the Derrinallum congregation with St John’s congregation in Lismore.
He said more than 100 people attended the mass at Derrinallum.
“I was delighted with the turnout,” Mr FitzGerald said.
“The crowd was well above what I had expected."
“There was a fantastic vibe within the crowd.”
The day was a chance for the parishioners to say farewell to the church and reminisce on fond memories.
“People were so pleased they could catch up with people they had a connection with over the years,” Mr FitzGerald said.
“It was a chance to relive memories and also a fascinating look back on the history of St Joseph’s.
“The morning tea was well catered for and people felt welcome.”
An invitation was extended to parishioners and former parishioners, their families and friends and any interested community members to attend the final mass to be held at the church.
Mr FitzGerald said the church had now been sold and would be turned into a private residence.
“The purchasers want to restore the church as a family home,” he said.
“It’s now got a life above and beyond a church.”
The foundation stone for the Derrinallum Catholic Church was laid on Sunday December 17, 1922 by Bishop Foley.
The church in Main Street cost about £2000 and in 1924 the people of Derrinallum held a bazaar which netted £1136 and cleared the debt on the building.
Derrinallum became a part of the Cressy Parish in 1958, with Father P. O’Keeffe as parish priest.
Additions to the church were blessed by Bishop O’Collins on July 5, 1964.