May 27, 2013
On May 25, 1913, the indomitable Archibishop James Duhig arrived in Blackbutt for the official blessing of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Newspaper reports from the time say there were between 400 and 800 people in attendance … and special trains ran to the event from Esk and Yarraman.
The building, built in cleared paddock donated by Carolene and James Langan, cost the grand sum of £253.
There weren’t quite so many people in attendance to mark the official centenary of the church on Saturday but people still travelled long distances for the special event.
A thanksgiving Mass was concelebrated by Parish Priest Fr John Hong and four priests linked to area, accompanied by hymns sung by the Blackbutt Singers.
The congregation then adjourned to the Blackbutt Memorial Hall for lunch and to swap stories and memories of growing up in Blackbutt.
Sacred Heart Church is part of the larger Nanango Parish, which also includes churches at Yarraman, Cooyar and Nanango.
To help it get ready for its centenary, parishioners enabled the building to get a new coat of paint.
The pews were also restored to their original glory by the Timbertowns woodworking group.
NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The opening of the Roman Catholic Church by Archbishop Duhig took place to-day (Sunday). About 800 people were present, and about £130 was subscribed towards the building fund. Special trains were run from Esk and Yarraman, and both towns were well represented. After the ceremony there was a banquet in Crumpton’s Hall where various toasts were proposed and responded to.
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