Did You Know?

When did St. Cecilia's begin?

It began with a school. 

 

In the late 1920s, Catholics around here asked for their own Catholic primary school. And towards the end of 1929, Our Lady of Victories Parish in Camberwell bought four blocks of land: two in Hillside Parade, and two more in Van Ness Avenue. 

 

The building of the school began in 1930. It was blessed by Archbishop Mannix on the 12th of July, 1931. The first Mass here was celebrated a fortnight later, at 9 am on Sunday the 26th of July 1931. That’s the beginning of the 90 years which we celebrated last year.

 

St Cecilia’s School opened in 1932. There were 44 children, and two Josephite sisters to teach. The Sisters of St Joseph remained at the school for 41 years until the end of 1972.