Our church is a unique building, conceived by Fr Sheehy, designed by architect Graeme Law, built by John Bergamin, and dedicated by Archbishop Little on 17 December, 1983. The fine sanctuary furnishings are by Mr Clive Bullen and the beautiful stained glass windows by Ernest Fries. In the narthex near the sacristy door, is the two metre statue of St Gregory, sculptured in huon pine by Mrs Leopoldine Mimovich.
Entering by the main door, our eyes are drawn across the narthex to the Interior of the church, to the tabernacle on the far wall, and above it to the beautifully coloured and soaring Holy Spirit window, depicting tongues of fire. The church is full of light and on the wall to the left is the splendid crucifix of the risen Lord (also by Mrs Leopoldine Mimovich). It reminds us of St Paul’s words in Hebrews 12:2 "..
because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross." We too, look beyond the cross in the hope that we will share in Christ’s resurrection.
The main structure of the roof is in the form of a cross and the lighting adds emphasis to it.
The real presence of Christ is central in the traditional way, showing that he is central to our faith. The two lecterns, one each side of the altar, symbolise the Word of God. To the right, in the sanctuary, is the statue of the Virgin, and on the wall a large coloured banner draws our attention to the message of the current ecclesiastical season.
The Baptistry brings flowing water, the water of life, Christ’s gift to his people~of eternal life.
The spacious seating is arranged in a semi-circle so that we can see and appreciate the gathering of the faithful, of which we are part.
If by chance or by choice we enter by the side door near the carpark, we find ourselves in the Calvary Walk. Symbolically, above the door as we enter is the blue and gold window of the Dove, the Holy Spirit. The walk slopes gently up and curves to the left as we come to the Lady Chapel. In the chapel is a tabernacle, the Altar of Repose, where the Blessed Sacrament is kept during part of the Easter ceremonies. Our Lady holds in her hands a piece of fruit, representing the orchard land on which the church is built. There is also a bust of our Holy Father, the Pope. Thus the chapel represents three aspects of our faith:
• The presence of Christ
• devotion to our Lady
• loyalty to the Pope
Parishioners say the Rosary here; others use it for private prayer.
On the wall to our right are simple Stations of the Cross. As we follow the stations, the narthex, usually milling with people, comes into view, and in the quiet courtyard garden beyond all the comings and goings our eyes are drawn to the large, rough, empty wooden cross representing Christ’s passion, and beyond that again to the large rock rolled away from the Holy Sepulchre, reminding us of the Resurrection — for this is the Easter Garden.
We are blessed indeed to meet for worship in this place of reverence, beauty and life!