Saint Michael’s Church at Wollombi holds some fascinating history within its walls.
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Two community members are hoping to capture this history in the form of a film documentary.
Gael Winnick of The Friends of Saint Michael’s has an interest in history and churches, and knew a great deal about the sale and buyback of the Wollombi church in the 1990’s.
She was telling local filmmaker and photographer Ken Martin about the details surrounding the sale, which gave him an idea.
“She was telling it with such enthusiasm and I said ‘we’ve just got to make a film of this’,” Ken said.
The foundations of the church were laid near Wollombi Brook in 1840 by the first Roman Catholic Bishop and then Archbishop of Sydney, John Bede Polding, making it one of the oldest mainland catholic churches in the country.
A major flood in 1893 submerged the building and forced it to be rebuilt on higher ground, the current premises on Wollombi Road.
The new foundation stone was laid in October 1893, before the first Mass in early 1894.
Ken and Gael both believe the new church must have been built stone by stone from the previous building due to the short space of time between construction beginning and the first Mass.
In 1991 the Catholic Church sold the building, before the residents of Wollombi, religious and non-religious purchased it back with a community trust. It reopened in 1999.
Ken and Gael want to capture the “many colourful stories” relating to the sale and buy back.
“There are so many beautiful human elements in it,” Ken said, “so many facets of it.”
“It’s actually a very important little church.”
Gael and Ken have both found that the main sources they have contacted and interviewed have given very similar recounts.
“Memory is a differing process for the same event,” Ken said.
“But we’re getting a pretty accurate response.”
Gael and Ken are seeking anyone with any information about the sale and buyback of the church to be involved in the documentary and help to sustain the history of the church.
“We’ve got to preserve what we’ve got here,” Gael said.
“You’ve got to honour what people have put in.”
Gael said she is very grateful to Ken for putting in his time and expertise, and Ken said Gael has been working as a superb producer.
They are hoping to have the documentary finished by the end of the year, with details about where it will be available to be announced.
Anyone with information about the church can contact Gael on 4998 3353 or email winfam17@gmail.com.
