A Century and a Third of Faith: Buchan Celebrates St Dymphna’s 130th Anniversary

BUCHAN – The local community and visitors from the surrounding area met at St Dymphna’s Catholic Church this past Saturday to celebrate the historic timber church’s 130-year milestone. Parishioners, past and present, joined Bishop Greg Bennet, for a commemorative Mass marking over a century of Catholic presence in the Buchan district. Fr Hiep Nguyen, the parish priest, Fr Joseph Abutu the parish priest of Bairnsdale and Fr Mark Hughes concelebrated mass.

A Journey from the High Country

The story of the parish began long before the church's foundation stone was laid. In the mid-1850s, the first priests travelled down from the Monaro district on horseback, following the early settlers into Gippsland. On January 2, 1857, the area’s first recorded baptisms were performed by Fr Michael McAlroy, who travelled from Tarraville to baptize Honora, Michael, and Mary O'Rourke.

For decades, the O’Rourke family home, ‘Oakern’, served as the spiritual heart of the community, hosting Masses in an era when visiting priests arrived only once a year—usually every January.

A Church Built on Community

The physical church finally became a reality on May 10, 1896, when Bishop James Corbett of Sale blessed and opened St Dymphna’s. The funds for the building were raised entirely by local subscriptions in a remarkably short period, reflecting the community's deep devotion.

The church was named for St Dymphna, a 7th-century Irish martyr. "St Dymphna was an Irish saint who suffered martyrdom at the hands of her father, a Pagan monarch, for having embraced Christianity," the parish records note.

Resilience and Renewal

Like many rural congregations, St Dymphna’s has faced periods of struggle. After serving the community for nearly a century, the church was forced to close its doors in the mid-1990s due to declining numbers. However, the spirit of the Buchan faithful remained unbroken.

In 1992, the church received a "new lease of life" following a significant donation from the American-based Koch Foundation. This allowed for a complete renovation, preserving the interior's warm, historic ambience. By November 1999, at the earnest request of local parishioners, the church officially reopened for regular worship.

Looking Forward

Today, the "little church that could" remains an active part of the Parish of Lakes Entrance and Orbost. Under the leadership of Parish Priest Fr Hiep Nguyen, Mass is celebrated on the third Saturday of every month at 9:00 am.

Following the anniversary Mass, attendees moved to a local coffee shop for morning tea, sharing stories of the generations of families who have walked through St Dymphna's doors. As the community looks toward the future, the 130th anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring faith and resilience that has defined Buchan for over a century.