Spiritans Oceania

Parish Information

Mission

History

History

The first Port Hedland Catholic Church was constructed on-site in the 1930s and was described as ’small and hot. Before this, the Mechanics Hall on Wedge Street was used to celebrate mass and the building on the corner of Richardson and Wedge Streets, which would later house the Presentation Sisters.

Father Edward Bryan was Port Hedland’s first parish priest, appointed by Bishop Collins in 1941. As Australia’s only flying parish priest, he also served Marble Bar and Roebourne, accessed in his tiger moth plane ‘Loreto’. He did the parish for 11 years.

In 1963 land on Sutherland Street was acquired by Father Harold Middleton, who was the third parish priest. The new church and school were constructed in 1964 on Sutherland Street and opened on 19th July 1969 by Bishop Francis Xavier Thomas of Geraldton Diocese. Money for the construction was raised by fundraising. 

Father Harold Middleton, construction workers and townspeople assisted the complex by making bricks in the old presbytery. Working day and night, over 86,000 bricks were made using three machines to compact the bricks. An architect designed the building. When the school opened, it was attended by over 50 children, with four nuns teaching.

Statement of Significance

St Cecilia’s Catholic Church is significant for its associations with the Catholic Church and the community that constructed it in 1964.

The Parish Today

The Parish Today

Fr Water McNamara was the first Spiritan Priest in Port Hedland. He arrived in 1992.

On 28th July 2019, the parish celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Church’s presence on Sutherland Street.

Father Edward Odhiambo Khaemba CSSp. is the current parish priest since 2018, working under Bishop Michael Morrissey, Bishop of Geraldton Diocese.

Mass Times

Weekday Tuesdays – Fridays 7.00am
Sat  5.30 pm
Sun 8:00 am
*Please refer to bulletin on the Port Headland website for any changes e.g. School Mass etc.

Reconciliation Times

By appointment

Attached School(s)