History

An Historical Chronology of the Establishment of Mary Immaculate Parish: Quakers Hill-Schofields

Early 20th Century

Few Catholic families lived in Quakers Hill.   These families had to walk along deeply rutted tracks to St Patricks, Blacktown, for Mass on Sunday and then home again.

1905

Railway station renamed Quaker Hill.

1918

Written permission was sought from Father John Moriarty, Parish Priest of Prospect-Blacktown, to have a Mass celebrated in a local private home.   Bishop Michael Kelly granted permission for this to proceed.

1919

The date (June) and home (16 Ramona St) for the Mass were selected.   Unfortunately Fr Moriarty died before the nominated day arrived and Mass was not celebrated.    During this year Catholic families gathered on a vacant lot in Pentland Street to discuss the needs of the group.  This became known as THE MEETING ON THE LOG, because of the large log on which they sat to conduct the meeting.  The families determined to purchase land through fundraising ventures and to borrow money from the Catholic Insurance Company to erect a dual-purpose hall for both liturgical and social use.  The land they purchased was the same vacant lot on which they met.
The first Mass was celebrated during this year by Father J.P. Rafferty.   Mass was said at Quakers Hill on the fifth Sunday of the month and on public holidays.  The priest would arrive the night before to hear confessions and minister to the needs of the community.

1921

The land was paid off and arrangements made to build the hall.   It was decided to name it Therry Centenary Hall after Father John Therry who had been a significant figure in the early days of the colony.

1922

The public opening of Therry Centenary Hall was held on August 26, and the official opening on Sunday, November 5, 1922. The Right Reverend Monsignor Moynagh presided at 3.00 p.m. Mass assisted by Monsignor O’Gorman and Reverend Father J.P. Rafferty.  The hall was to become the parish church for the next 71 years.

1946

Blacktown – Prospect was proclaimed a parish and Quakers Hill became a part of it.  Father Bernard Massey was the first “Priest-in-Charge”.

1957

Therry Centenary Hall was given a major facelift under the supervision of Father Norman Grady, the curate from Blacktown.

1961

Quakers Hill was separated from Blacktown Parish and the Parish of Doonside – Quakers Hill formed.  Father Kenneth Bryne was the first Parish Priest. St Josephs Church, Schofields, was established and functioned as part of the Riverstone Parish.

1963

Doonside became a separate parish and the Parish of Marayong – Quakers Hill formed.    Therry Centenary Hall was renamed the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

1973

Quakers Hill - Schofields was officially declared a parish on January 1, 1973. Father Bert Callose was appointed Parish Priest.    Schofields subsequently became part of the Parish.