Bungaree History Walk
  • Home
    • Launch of the Walk
    • QR Codes
  • The Wathaurungs
    • Wathaurung Culture
    • Lal Lal Falls
    • The Important Mountains
    • Special Wathaurung Sites
    • Interesting Wathaurung Facts and Photos
    • The Legend of Bunjil
  • The Bungaree Blacksmiths
    • The Chisholm's
    • The Devereux's
    • The Ritchie's
    • The Cyclone Destroys a Blacksmith
    • Stories about the Blacksmith
  • The Bungaree Hotels
    • Grand Junction
    • Bridge Hotel
    • Morning Star
    • Horse and Jockey Hotel
    • Robbery at the Morning Star
    • The Cyclone Destroys a Hotel
  • The Bungaree Bank
    • The Bankers
    • Inside the bank
    • The Holey Incident
    • The Blacksmith's Joke
    • The Bungaree Bank Closes
  • The Bungaree Police Station
    • Stories about the Police Station
    • The Truck Crash
    • Archaeological Survey
    • Police Station Photos
  • The Bungaree Railway Station
    • The Train Wreck
    • The Busy Bungaree Station
    • Interview with Mr Lawless
    • Bungaree Railway Photos
    • The Bungaree Station Closes
  • The Bungaree Shops
    • The Chalmers Shop
    • Bottom Shop
    • Top Shop
    • The Lolly Shop and Butcher
    • Interviews about the Shops
    • Things the Shops Sold
  • The Bungaree Schools
    • The First School
    • The Bluestone School
    • The Current School
    • Interviews with Past Students
    • Bungaree School Photos
  • The Bungaree Mechanics' Institute
    • A Cyclone Destroys the Hall
  • St John's Anglican Church
    • Parish Life
    • Improvements to St John's
  • The Bungaree Fire Brigade
    • Black Friday
    • Fighting Fires
    • Early Fire Fighting Equipment
    • Bungaree CFA
    • The Mt Warrenheip Fire
    • The Captain visits the school
  • St Michael's Church, School and Convent
    • St Michael's School
    • St Michael's Church
    • St Michael's Convent
  • The Bungaree Recreation Oval
    • The Bungaree Footy Club
    • The Bungaree Netball Club
    • Interviews about the Institute
    • The Cricket and Tennis Clubs
  • The Making of the History Walk
  • Contact Details and Bibliography
  • Extra Information, photos and songs
  • Feedback Blog

St Michael's Catholic Church

In September, 1871 a land grant was obtained by Fr Moore for the site of a Catholic Church in Bungaree and in October 1878, the first Catholic school at the Junction (Bungaree) St. Michael’s School, was dedicated as a church by Dr. Michael O’Connor.  Five hundred people were present.

In 1889 Fr James Moore purchased the present church site of 2 acres from Mr. Joe Horne.

In August 1890 Bungaree was made a separate parish.  Frs. John J. Cleary and John A. Keating came to live at Reidy’s home, Leigh Creek.  Fr Cleayr was known as “the very wild priest”.  He once whipped a man into a creek while still on his horse.  Why is not known.  In January the priests were relocated to the present church site to live in a renovated house that had been moved there.


On 15th October 1893 there was a re-opening of the wooden church on the new church site.

In February 1909 there was a meeting to discuss a new church for Bungaree.  Consequently the Foundation Stone for St. Michael’s was laid on 12th April 1910 and the Opening ceremony was held on  7th August, 1910.


In November, 2010 the church had its Centenary Celebration.


Learn about St Michael's Convent.