STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY: KELLY LUCAS-CARMODY
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TIME HAS MOVED ON, BUT THE HEART OF THIS HUMBLE COUNTRY CHURCH BEATS JUST AS STRONGLY — IN HISTORY, HOME AND THE HANDS THAT CARE FOR IT.
Ask anyone who grew up in the Moorilim district, and chances are they’ll have a story about St Patrick’s Catholic Church.
A childhood memory from Sunday School, a cousin’s wedding or a final farewell beneath its quiet roof.
Because for more than a century, this church stood as the cornerstone of the tight-knit rural community.
At one time, Moorilim boasted a butcher, a clay works producing bricks, an inn, a market garden, and even a small school — all clustered around the steady presence of St Patrick’s.
The church was officially opened and blessed on April 29, 1888, and it faithfully served families until the late 1980s.
In September 1998, after more than 110 years of service, it was decommissioned and sold.
Since then, the church has had several owners and has been creatively converted into a three-bedroom, two-storey open-plan home.
Today, the former church is in the caring hands of Melbourne retirees Rodney Harrison and Anne-Marie Primmer, who have lovingly helped preserve its charm.
“The original parish likely began gathering as early as 1872, with Mass believed to have been celebrated in a wooden church and school on the neighbouring land donated by Michael Kearney,” Rodney said.
“Both are now gone, but we feel very lucky to have owned this piece of history for 11 years now.”
Rodney and Anne-Marie had been looking to buy a church for some time before they stumbled upon St Patrick’s in Moorilim.
In the 13 years prior to their purchase, significant changes had already been made to the church — enough for them to see a way forward with what was left to do.
“It was ideal for us,” Rodney said.
“It still needed a bit of work, but not enough to scare us off.”
The couple received support through heritage grants, which matched them dollar for dollar on modifications and upgrades — including repairs to the slate roof and a repaint.
Since then, they’ve also upgraded the stunning lead-light windows in the kitchen area, all while carefully maintaining the integrity of the church.
“The concept we’ve always had is that we don’t own the church — we’re just the custodians,” Anne-Marie said.
“This is the community’s church.”
Over the years, they’ve had many visitors stop by with personal stories connected to the building.
“People say things like, ‘Oh, my grandparents got married here,’ which is really sweet,” she said.
“So for us, it was always important to retain its integrity.”
Being listed with the Heritage Trust meant they couldn’t make any changes to the exterior.
Internally, they explored ideas, but quickly decided to honour the building’s original features.
“We considered polishing the floors, but then we thought, no ... those marks and scratches are part of its story,” Anne-Marie said.
“Maybe a kid dropped their inkwell there years ago, and you think, that’s history.”
The couple has made it comfortable and liveable, with space for friends to come and stay. But as Anne-Marie puts it:
“It’s still a church — and we love that.”
Alongside countless hours spent in the garden — where an array of native plants and trees have been lovingly added (and, as Rodney jokes, plenty of weeds pulled out too) — the couple enjoy visiting their little church haven as often as they can, simply to relax.
Winters are warmed by the glow of the fireplace, while summers are incredibly hot, with no air conditioning to take the edge off.
Books are read, music is listened to, and occasionally, a tune is played on the old organ perched in the open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining area.
But for Rodney and Anne-Marie, the most special part of it all is the strong sense of community that continues to surround the area.
“The one thing the agent didn’t tell us when we purchased it was the most important thing of all — and that was the community,” Anne-Marie said.
“You probably don’t notice it when you’re already part of the community, but coming from the city, the friendliness here just blew us away.”
Rodney agreed, saying the community has a ripple effect — something he’s experienced first-hand through his involvement with the CFA in Moorilim, as well as serving on cemetery trusts in both Murchison and Rushworth.
“There are Moorilim gatherings every three or four months — just locals and farmers sharing a plate and catching up before heading back to work,” Rodney said.
“The people here are also the history — it’s in their blood.
“It’s just a fantastic little community, and the friendships we’ve formed here will last a lifetime.”
And now, in their beloved red brick church — Rodney and Anne-Marie have become part of that story too.
And with no plans of selling up any time soon, they’re looking forward to adding many more chapters to its history.
As part of Greater Shepparton’s Heritage Open Days, St Patrick’s Church in Moorilim opens its doors to the public, offering a chance to view and better understand the importance of Moorilim history.