Fr John Joseph Therry said the first Mass in Campbelltown on 1 September 1822. It was to be celebrated on “The Green”, an area now known as Mawson Park; however, a sudden rainstorm forced a change of plans and Fr Therry took his congregation into the unfinished Anglican church of St Peter. This last minute decision produced a negative reaction from the Anglican rector, Mr Redall, who complained to the Governor who, in turn, reprimanded Fr Therry. The Irish priest replied that his action was actually a way of honouring the new St Peter’s church. Relations between Fr Therry and Mr Redall were not strained too long as it is on record that the Anglican rector made a donation towards Therry’s appeal for his church building fund. It is said that they in fact became friends and this could be our first example of ecumenism.

Louise Barry - Religious Studies Coordinator