St Michael's Church in Bungonia NSW

National Trust has classified St Michael’s in Bungonia as a historic building with Classification “C”, with National Heritage significance. St Michael’s is the oldest Catholic Church still in its original form and in use as a church on the mainland of Australia.

It's history is significant for its close connection with the development and spread of the Catholic Church in Southern NSW via the Old Argyle Rd and Great South Road.

History of St Michael's in Bungonia

"Catholics attended the First Mass celebrated in the Bungonia area in 1827 at William Mitchell's house ‘Brisbane Meadow’" – by Fr Therry Pioneer of the Catholic Church in Australia.

Inspired locals collected money to raise a church to a design by Fr Therry and Fr Mc Elroy. In 1839 work commenced in random rubble stone by Patrick Kelly, assisted by Dan Cruise. Both men were stone masons and ex-convicts.

The building was in use from 1843 onwards, but by 1844 the funds ran out. Bishop Polding visited, advised additional buttressing as he feared the walls could not support a roof, and the Bishop contributed to its completion. [Later roof work done in the 1990’s by Claude Bagnarro Structural Engineering, ensures structural stability today.]

St Michael’s was consecrated in 3 July 1847. The first recorded celebrant was Fr Therry.

Original Building State and Changes Over Time

Originally, very fine Italian glass was held in the windows’ ‘gothic’ design by fine cedar strips. After a catastrophic hailstorm in 1943, a complete set of replacement windows were donated by members of the congregation and installed by Maurice Burns Goulburn. Hand painted dedications naming many community donors line the window sills.

An original plaster of lime and sand covered the building for weather protection. The plaster is marked up in ‘ashlar block’ design. The CEP Project in 1984/5 restored plastering with a (small cement admix) under the guidance of Peter Freeman (Heritage Architect). Funds did not allow completion, so sections remained scored for a finish coat, and buttresses remained unsealed for several years until funds were available to finish the work.

Other original features include some cast iron down pipe, the shingles (under iron), statuary, lacework, cedar pews, church fittings and ceremonial items.

A white ant attack in 1939 forced a complete renewal of the flooring.

Because of the fierce winds on the site, the 1900’s saw the western door removed and converted to a fixed window, which created a robing space for the Priest.

A Bronze Bell (single) cast in England 1833 and donated to church by Robert Futter [who held the original land grant] was hung on hardwood posts to the west side of the church. They burnt in 1984 fires and have been replaced.

Like the Bungonian people, the Village, and the District it serves, St Michael’s in Bungonia is a survivor.