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1892
1895
20 December 1895
St. John's R.C. Church is a roomy structure, comparatively new, and in every way suitable to the requirements of the worshippers. In it a splendid stained-glass window has been placed in memory of the late Mr. McDonough, who was a great worker for the church and cause at Gulgong. The Rev. Father Long is the parish priest in charge1
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1897
13 February 1897
1929
22 August 1929
EARLY GULGONG.
A Pioneer's Reminiscences
FATHER (NOW MONSIGNOR) LONG, IN HIS GULGONG DAYS.
In our issue of August 1 we suggested that some of the pioneers should forward their memories of the early days with the view of publishing them as materials for Catholic history in this State. The following account of the beginnings of Gulgong was sent by Mr. C. R. Young, now of Tweed Heads. Mr. Young was a schoolboy in Gulgong 40 years ago. Possibly, some of the old residents can supplement this interesting record.
The first church in Gulgong, a fine, spacious, wooden building, was built by Mr. Kelleher, father of the Rev. Father T. Kelleher, now P.P. of Moss Vale. Gulgong was then in the parish of Mudgee, and ministered to by the late Father O'Donovan (afterwards Monsignor) and his assistants, including Father M. Campion, now Archdeacon at Parkes. The church was destroyed in a cyclone in 1885. About a year after wards, the Bishop-elect of Bathurst, the late Dr. J. P; Byrne (prior, to his consecration) visited Gulgong to lay the foundation stone of a new church. The stone remained in the trench prepared for it for years. The old school, dating from denominational school days (J. Cosgrove, master) did duty as a church, the old cedar altar and French harmonium being the only reminders of the ill fated church. In January, 1883, the Sisters of St. Joseph, from Perthville, opened in Gulgong, with a community of six, under the late Sister M. De Pazzi. A small wooden cottage on a spot to the north of the present church was used as a convent. After his consecration, the Right Rev. Dr. Byrne visited Gulgong, and received a great reception, residents going out for miles in buggies and on horseback, to meet the Bishop. On this occasion, Gulgong was the scene of his very first Confirmations.
The parish of Gulgong was formed in 1886 or 1887. Father O'Dowd was in charge, and his presbytery was an old house, formerly a tannery. Father Martin Long (now Monsignor at Wellington, N.S.W.), took charge in August, 1888; and immediately set about raising funds for a new church. As Gulgong was then in a state of transition from a deserted mining field to an agricultural centre, money was scarce. However, the contract for the present beautiful brick and white stone church was let to the late Mr. G. Turner, and work commenced early in 1890. The present site was decided on, in preference to the old site in Medley-street, opposite Luxford's residence. In case there is ever any enquiry as to where the foundation-stone was placed, it was incorporated in the foundation just below the surface, to the right of the sacristry door. The new Church of St. John the Baptist was blessed and opened on December 14, 1890, by Bishop Byrne. The sermon on 'The Love of God' was preached by Father McGee, then of Bathurst, now a Franciscan. The local choir was assisted by the choir of St. Mary's, Mudgee, and it was a great day. I believe the contract price of the fine church was only £1600. The cost would be about £4000 nowadays.
Early in the following year, the first mission was preached by the late Fathers Mc Kenna and Hegarty (Vincentians). Father Laurence Bolger was for a time assistant to Father Long. Father Bolger died in Gulgong on June 7, 1893, and was buried in the local cemetery. About this time a movement was begun for a presbytery building, Father Long living meanwhile in Young's cottage, Bayley-street, and after wards 'Glen Ayr,' Mark's late residence, in Mayne-street.
Bishop Byrne laid the foundation-stone of the present fine rubble and freestone presbytery in or about 1897, and it was opened by his Lordship the following year3
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