St Joseph’s Catholic Church
The Catholic community of Stockinbingal initially held their services in the home of Ted Woodhouse. A one acre site, opposite the current police station, had been purchased prior to 1900 by the parish priest of Cootamundra, and in May 1902, a new church opened on that site. Following the Confirmation ceremony in November 1910, the Bishop addressed the community about the need for a larger site to build a Catholic school, convent, larger church and presbytery. A five acre site was offered by Mr John Neville at a nominal figure of £100. Other pledges on the day reached a total of over £400. A foundation stone for the church/school and convent was laid in December 1911, by Bishop Gallagher, where a further £395 was raised. The new church and convent were built by Mr Anderson, and were blessed and opened in February 1913, by the Bishop. The total cost of both buildings, including furnishings, was around £2,500, which was a huge undertaking for such a small community. The church building served the purpose of both school and church, which had two folding dividers to turn it into three classrooms for a school, plus a verandah along the northern side. The internal dividers were opened up, and desks moved aside each week, for Sunday mass, only to be put back again in time for Monday’s school lessons. The ground between the two buildings was originally designated to be for a new school, but no further buildings were constructed. The school closed in 1959 and the side verandah removed some time after, when the building reverted to use as a church.
