On February 3, 2024 a supper was held following evening mass to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of St Brigid’s Catholic Church.

Organised by the congregation, the event brought together past and present parishioners to attend the service and enjoy an evening together.

St Brigid’s was constructed in 1924. It replaced St Mary’s, the original Snake Valley Catholic Church, that was once situated along Snake Valley-Smythesdale Road and built in 1871.

St Brigid’s was built on a large town allotment at the juncture of Carngham-Linton and Smythesdale Road. Situated in the central precinct, the orange brickwork is distinctive from other buildings in the area.

The church was partially financed by robust community fundraising, with well attended dances, Queen Carnivals events and bazaars. The fundraising continued right up until the church opened it’s doors to parishioners. When St Brigid’s opened in the January of 1924, the foundation stone was blessed and laid by Reverend Daniel Foley, Bishop of Ballarat from 1916-1941.

Parish priest of over three decades, Fr Laurie Gallagher, documented in his histories that were originally published in ‘Light’, that just prior to the church being officially opened, the newly erected building was the venue for a very successful fund raising dance.

Members can refer to edition #126 of District Diggings to read more about the history of the Catholic Church in Snake Valley.

Victorian Collections accessed 15 February 2024.

Article written by Esther Yeoman (affiliated with Snake Valley & District Historical Society)
Photos taken by John Kavanagh

The first communion photograph from 1948 belongs to the private collection of Joan Matthews, who kindly donated it to our archives