The Rich History of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Explore the journey and milestones of our beloved parish in Sunraysia, from its humble beginnings to its vibrant present.
Founding
Growth
Community Impact
Our Journey Through Time
1915
Two Sisters of Mercy travelled to Merbein Area in a horse and gig to give religous instructions to the children of the region.
1920
First Mass was celebrated by Fr Ryan at Merbein in the Public Hall. Fr Ryan travelled up from the Parish of St Jospeh’s Charlton.
1927
On the 11th December, Bishop Foley of Ballarat blessed the new buidling that would serve as both church and school.
1928
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School welcomed it first pupils on 31st January.
Our Dedicated Priests and Parish Leaders
Fr. John Russell
Parish Priest (1965-1968)
Fr. L Des O’Hagan
Parish Priest (1968-1969)
Fr. William Dyer
Parish Priest (1969-1970)
Fr. Denis McCarthy
Parish Priest (1970-1974)
Fr. Frank Monaghan
Parish Priest (1974-1980)
Fr. Michael Linehan
Assistant Priest (1980-1982)
Fr. Leo McCormick
Parish Priest (1982-1983)
Fr. Max Jongebloed
Parish Priest (1983-1989)
Fr. Peter Molenaar
Parish Priest (1989-1990)
Fr. Gerry Prunty
Parish Priest (1990-1996)
Fr. Paul Ryan
Parish Administrator (1996)
Sr. Marion McDonald RSM
Parish Leader (1999-2018)
Sr. Carmel Stedford RSM
Parish Leader (2018-2020)
Fr. Michael McKinnon
Parish Priest (2018-2020
Fr. Matthew Thomas
Parish Priest (2020- Current)
Explore Our Sacred Spaces
St. Joachim’s Church Gallery
Our Dedicated Clergy
Meet the Priests of Sts Anne and Joachim Parish Sunraysia
Fr Matthew Thomas is the Parish Priest and Fr John Corrigan is the Assistant Priest. Fr Shaiju Mathew is the Visiting Priest for an neighbouring Parish.
Fr. Matthew Thomas
Parish Priest
Fr. John Corrigan
Assistant Priest
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Explore the Beauty of Our Church
St. Michael’s Church Photo Gallery
Explore the Beauty of Our First Church
First Church Image Gallery
Milestones of St. Joachim’s Church
Discover the rich history of St. Joachim’s Church, chronicling its significant moments and milestones over the years.
’50
Foundation of St. Joachim’s Church
In 1950, the foundation stone of St. Joachim’s Church was laid, marking the beginning of a new spiritual journey for the community.
’70
Expansion and Renovation
During the 1970s, the church underwent significant expansion and renovation to accommodate the growing number of parishioners.
’90
Introduction of Community Programs
In the 1990s, St. Joachim’s Church introduced various community outreach programs, strengthening its role in the local community.
’20
70th Anniversary Celebration
In 2020, St. Joachim’s Church celebrated its 70th anniversary with a series of events, reflecting on its journey and looking forward to the future.
Join Us for Worship
We warmly invite you to explore the rich history and vibrant community of Sts Anne & Joachim. Attend a service to experience the spiritual atmosphere and connect with our parish family. For service times and more information, please visit our schedule page or contact us directly.