THE Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Church in East Victoria Park that celebrates its 50th birthday this month was designed by a renowned WA architect and built with voluntary labour under an Italian migrant builder who is the brother of the Bishop of Geraldton.
The late Peter Overman designed Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in East Victoria Park as a student initially for a university project.
He approached then parish priest Fr Francis O’Connor with the design and parishioner John Bianchini set about building the parish’s new church with the help of many parishioners.
Descendants of those original church workers and the very workers themselves will attend a celebratory Mass on 12 December and look forward to the welcoming back of former parishioners and friends.
“People are just so excited to be coming,” Rose Bianchini, John’s daughter, said. Rose is the younger sister of Highgate parish priest Fr Peter Bianchini.
Bishop Justin Bianchini of Geraldton, John’s younger brother, said that while his recollection of the details of the building of the church are vague –“perhaps because I was in Italy at the time of its construction” – “Johnny’s enthusiasm continued to flow for many years”.
“My clearest memory of Johnny in regard to Our Lady Help of Christians Church in East Victoria Park was his exuberance,” the prelate said.
“While he faced work and play with this zest generally, I remember him being extra excited about the church.
“Johnny’s faith and belonging to our Church was paramount and so being involved with his own parish church in this way was a highlight in his life. The work he put into this church was incalculable, however it was superceded by the joy and good feeling Johnny experienced.
“As Johnny generously gave his time and his high quality work skills and supervision to the project, he did it with immense pride. He was just so proud of ‘our church’ which he spoke often about.
“Our dad – Pop to us all – with his stone masonry skills, had to be drawn into the whole project by his son. Accordingly, the graceful yet sturdy stonework for the grotto and the retaining wall for Xavier College (now part of Ursula Frayne Primary School campus) was Pop’s contribution.
“I personally have always admired the craftsmanship of my father, Marcello and my brothers. Our Lady Help of Christians Church and surrounds stands as a shining example of this by Johnny and our Pop.”
As the church anniversary draws near, Rose said that “all the Italians (in the community) are telling me stories and giving me old photos and memorabilia”. The church’s milestone coincides with the 75th anniversary of the East Victoria Park parish, established by Fr O’Connor with a church which doubled as a school in 1935. The 12 December celebration starts with a Mass at 9.30am followed by refreshments. Current parish priest Fr Chinnaiah Arulraj Mulaguri has planned 11 days of Holy Hours of Eucharistic adoration leading up to the celebration.
The adoration will take place from 6.30-7.30pm from 1-11 December, preceded by Mass.
Bunbury Bishop Gerard Holohan will preside over the service along with fellow former parishioner and priest Peter Bianchini.
Joining them will be Fr Arulraj and former parish pastor Brian Harris, health permitting.
Those people attending the celebration are encouraged to bring photographs and memorabilia from their time at the parish.
For details about the event, call 9361 1167.
– story and photo courtesy of Community Newspaper Group