Celebrating 175 of Catholic Mission

175 Years of the Gippsland Catholic Mission

Come along and join us on Sunday the 15th November 2026 at 11:00 Mass as we celebrate 175 years since the beginning of the Catholic Church in Gippsland. Bishop Greg Bennet will be in attendance and will celebrate Mass with Father Darren Howie.

In 1851, Gippsland was established as a Catholic Mission with Father David Holohan appointed to Tarraville as its first priest with Father Joseph Martin as his assistant. Father Martin subsequently became the first resident priest of Gippsland and established a Catholic School at Tarraville.

By 1854, Father Patrick Verling had been appointed and built St Patrick’s Church, Tarraville, the first Catholic Church in Gippsland. From these humble beginnings, the Catholic community grew through churches, schools, convents and parishes to become what is now the Diocese of Sale.

Although St Patrick’s Church was demolished in the 1940’s, a small part of its floorboards were later made into a tabernacle. This precious reminder of the first Catholic Church in Gippsland remains a tangible link with our beginnings.

We invite you to come together as a Parish to give thanks for 175 years of faith, community, and Catholic life in Gippsland, and to celebrate the rich heritage that began in Tarraville in 1851.

Following Mass, we will gather at the St. Mary Mackillip Hall for light refreshments. Memorabilia will be displayed, with the addition of a short talk about our history. A tour of St. Mary’s Catholic School will be made available.

All parishioners are asked to bring a plate of food to share. There is a list on the board in the church. Food can be dropped off at St. Mary Mackillop Hall prior to Mass.