PARISH HISTORY

St Mary's Parish Clermont

Gold was discovered at Clermont in 1861, but the first Priest to visit Clermont was in 1866.  Father Lonergan, who was the Parish Priest of the new Parish of Mackay, spent six months travelling around his far flung outposts and on September 16th he opened a new church at Clermont.  Father Lonergan made annual visits to Clermont in 1867 and 1868.

The first resident Priest appointed to Clermont in 1871 was Father Hely who stayed for a year.  In 1872 Fathers James Horan and Oreste Terdozzi were based in Copperfield but were transferred in 1873.

During this time, from August 7th – 27th August 1873, Father Julian Tenison Woods, co-founder with Blessed  Mary Mackillop of the Sisters of St Joseph, visited the area to deliver a public lecture on the Discovery of Australia and conduct two retreats.

In 1873 Father Denham became Parish Priest with Father Clementine his assistant until his appointment to Charters Towers in 1874.  Also in 1873 three Sisters of St Joseph opened a school at Copperfield and ministered there until 1877.

From 1877 to 1883 the town of Clermont had no resident priest, but was visited by Father Comerford, Capra and Hanley during these years.  In 1883 Father Tynan began duties as Parish Priest and worked there till 1885.

After Father Tynan’s departure in 1885 the parish was served by Fathers Mouton, Jules Bucas, McKernon, Cassar, P.M. Bucas, Byrne – 1887 – 1891.
Father McDonough arrived in 1892 and was Parish Priest until 1905.  During Father McDonough’s time in Clermont a new Church was opened and blessed by Bishop Cani on 11th December 1892.

The Sisters of St Joseph arrived in Clermont in 1900 – the first school opened in Queensland after the withdrawal of the Sisters in 1879.
1905 to the present time – Clermont was served by many priests.  Father McElhinney, was the parish priest when Clermont was devastated by the 1916 flood.  The Convent, which was opened in 1911, was used to house two hundred people affected by the flood.

In 1992 the people of Clermont celebrated one hundred years of St Mary’s Church.  Father Martin Durham was the Parish Priest at the time.  Father served the parishioners of Clermont for over twenty five years.  Father Bruce Little succeeded Father Durham and served the parish for six years.

Currently Clermont does not have a permanent priest and is served by Father Dan Moore for six months and visiting priests the other six months.