The Catholic Parish of Dardanup was the first outside Perth, and was within that Diocese on its establishment. Local pioneer Thomas Little donated land in 1852. The foundation stone was laid in 1854 by Abbot Salvado, Founder of the Benedictine Abbey at New Norcia, and the first church was in use by 1857.
It served the Catholics of the district until 1938, when the present “new” church was completed – itself 70 years old, in 2007. St Louis’ Church in Boyanup dates from the early 1900’s, and is the second church within the parish.
In 1979 the old church was restored and transformed into a Hall; it was named for benefactor Thomas Little, and is currently in regular use by the local parish and broader community.
Between the Thomas Little Hall and the parish church there stands the handsome 1922 building which was the Convent of Mercy and first parish school. It served the Sisters and parish in that capacity until 1974, and was then used for a variety of parish and school purposes.
Significantly, in 1977, it became the new home for Carmelite Nuns, brought into the Diocese of Bunbury from Thailand by Bishop Myles McKeon. These Nuns now have their own Monastery in neighbouring Gelorup. The old convent was used for some time as a Retreat House.
This Catholic Parish, with its churches of the Immaculate Conception in Dardanup and St Louis in Boyanup, has now been committed to and contributing to the district for more than 150 years, and is currently examining new ways in which it might be of further service in our towns and state.
Thanks to Gwen Wells, Parish Archivist, for this research.
And to Joyce Hatchett, local artist, for kind permission to reproduce her fine and exquisite paintings.