The first Catholics came to the district in 1840. They were rural workers on vast pastoral stations, but the nearest Catholic church at that time was at Maitland, and those wanting to be married or have children baptised had to wait until the travelling priest cam from Singleton.
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A public meeting was held in 1867 to discuss the building of the church in Inverell. A building fund was to be established and the committee expressed optimism that the church would be completed within the year.
Actually it took four years. During this time a young Irishman, Father Francis Wenceslaus McLaughlin, was appointed resident priest. His vast parish took him to Manilla, Wellingrove, and Goondiwindi. He became ill and died in January 1869. He was the first person buried in the Catholic portion of the Inverell cemetery.
For the next 14 months a priest from Armidale visited until Father Patrick Hewitt arrived in March, 1870. He began raising money to build the new church, with such fundraising activities as a ball, bazaar and Ashton’s Circus donated proceeds of a night’s performance.
Tenders were called and contractor Mr H McKay built a wood church on the corner of Otho and River Streets where the Shire council building is today. The church was nearing completion when Father Hewitt was transferred. The third parish priest, Father John Kelly, arrived in time for the dedication and official opening of the Church in December 1871.
The first Catholic school was erected in 1880 and survived until 1888. It was replaced by a more modern building in 1914. The first convent building was built by Mr Anderson in 1881. The new Convent of Mercy in Vivian Street was opened in 1909.
The presbytery, a fine two-storey brick building was built by Mr Cheadle and bricklayer Mr Hilton. This replaced the original building which was erected in the 1880s. By 1901 the church was too small.
Again parishioners decided a new church would be built on the site of the old one, and it opened in 1904. The church was extensively renovated in 1915 with the roof replaced by the best Bangor slates and drainage rearranged. New pews, the interior walls repainted, the choir gallery renovated.
All work was supervised by builder BM Wade, and architects Messrs Ogilvie and O’Connor.
This church was replaced by the present building which was blessed and opened in April 1983.
