Establishment of St Cecilia’s Church, Hamilton

The parish of Hamilton was formed by Archbishop Duhig on 17 January, 1913, when he purchased the house and grounds at Hamilton known as ‘Huron’ for the sum of £1,450. Father John Gowen had been appointed the first parish priest and, until the church was built and the presbytery – ‘Huron’, the present mission house – renovated, he lived at St Stephen’s and travelled out each day to the parish.  The committee he formed to collect money was successful and the foundation stone for the church was laid on 14 December, 1913.

The church was completed and officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Duhig on Palm Sunday, 5 April, 1914.  At the opening, the church was crowded to its utmost capacity and had in the congregation such notables of the day as T.C. Beirne, G.W.Gray and Peter Murphy.