No. 1561 - Richmond - St John the Evangelist - Presbytery and Sisters' of St Joseph Convent
This article is one of a series about buildings associated with Tasmania’s historical churches.These buildings include Sunday schools, parish halls, convents, schools and residences of the clergy. Ancillary buildings are often overlooked and rarely feature in published histories. My aim is to create a simple record of these buildings, including of those that no longer exist.
Richmond is a heritage town located in the Coal River Valley approximately 25 kilometres east of Hobart. The valley was one of the earliest areas penetrated by the first British settlers outside of Hobart. Richmond’s origins go back to 1823 when a bridge was constructed across the Coal River. Beyond the bridge lies the church of St John the Evangelist, Australia’s oldest Catholic church along with Tasmania’s first Catholic school. Another historical building on the site is the old Catholic presbytery which was later converted into a covent with an oratory for the Sisters of St Joseph.
The history of the establishment of St John’s Presbytery is described in some detail in an article published at the time of the church’s centenary in 1937:
"The presbytery was purchased from John Cassidy, who, if tradition be trusted, had presented to Dr. Polding the land on which stands St. John’s Church. Writing to Father Therry (Jan. 30, 1840), the pastor requested his superior to assert the claims of the parish to government aid: 'The Catholic community having contributed the sum of £300 towards the purchase of a residence for the R.C. Chaplain of Richmond, beg leave to solicit the Government, through you, to grant the same amount according to the provisions of the Church Act.'
The Government acceded to the application subject, however, ‘to a report from a competent officer that the house which it is proposed to purchase is worth £600, and care being taken, if the report be in the affirmative, that a proper conveyance is executed, securing the house as a Chaplain's residence in perpetuity.' Still later (July 25, 1842), we find further references to this transaction in a note sent to the Vicar-General: 'I beg to remind you that the time is just at hand for completing the agreement made between the Catholic community of Richmond church, on the one hand, and Mr. John Cassidy, on the other, with reference to the purchase of a Chaplain's residence. I have also to inform you that, unless the specified sum is paid by August 13 next. Mr. Cassidy can rescind the contract. It is, therefore, necessary that you should immediately request the Governor to authorise a person to value these premises, and forthwith obtain £300 according to the provisions of the Church Act.'
The Director of Public Works was asked to furnish, with as little delay as possible, a report on the value of the house. In the course of his statement we read: 'I found it to be a brick dwelling, of two storeys above the basement, containing six rooms, about 15ft. square each. The house has been erected about four years, and is in fair repair, and I should estimate its original cost at upwards of £600. The outbuildings attached are trifling, and very dilapidated, and, therefore, not worth taking into consideration. The quantity of ground, on which the house stands, and including the garden, is about one acre. The situation is very desirable for the purpose, and it is contiguous to the chapel. I could obtain no information of the marketable value of property in Richmond, and am, therefore, unable to form so good an opinion as I might otherwise have done; but, unless property is exceedingly depreciated, I think that £600 is not too much to be given for the house and ground, more particularly as the situation is quite suitable.'
Further trouble arose owing to the opinion given by a builder whom the congregation authorised to inspect the house 'occupied by the Rev. Mr. Butler.' He found (June 7, 1843) that the ‘side fronting the river overhangs at least three inches, and a settlement having recently taken place in the same wall, I consequently condemn the building as unsafe for any person to live in.' Following this decision His Excellency 'withheld for the present payment of the Government moiety of the purchase money.' Father Butler's successor continued to press the claim for public assistance as granted to other denominations. On August 5, 1850, application was renewed for the amount of money to which the Catholic people were entitled by law. Six months afterwards an inspector certified that 'the building had now been secured effectually by the erection of substantial cross walls carrying a verandah, and by ties of iron placed through the building.' At last the benefits of the Church Act were extended to the congregation of St. John's, and on February 3, 1852, John Cassidy, who had been receiving an annual interest of £30 for some 12 years, handed over the property by legal conveyance to the church trustees".
In 1899 the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived at Richmond and the old presbytery was converted into a residence for the nuns. An wood oratory was constructed on the east side of the building. The arrival of the Sisters is recorded in the Hobart Mercury:
“St. John's school, which has been closed since the retirement of Miss Hoare, was re-opened on the 17th inst. in charge of three of the Sisters of St. Joseph's. They were met upon arrival on Saturday last by the Rev. M. J. O’Regan and the leading members of the congregation, who, on behalf of the people, offered them a hearty welcome to the place. Services were conducted by the Rev. M. J. O'Regan on Sunday following, after which many of those who had attended took the opportunity of calling upon the Sisters, and making their acquaintance. The Presbytery has been thoroughly renovated as a residence for them, and altogether their advent here should infuse fresh life into the congregation of St. John’s”.
In 1919 the Hobart newspaper ‘World’ reported that the convent was offered for use as a hospital following the outbreak of the influenza epidemic:
“The Warden of Richmond has received advice…stating that the Sisters at the Richmond Convent had decided to turn the convent school into an hospital in the event of an outbreak of pneumonic influenza locally. They, would also do all in their power to assist, and offered their services for nursing…”.
The proposal seems not to have been taken up following the establishment of a temporary hospital at nearby Campania.
By the 1920s the presbytery had fallen into a state of disrepair and in 1929 the old Catholic school, built in 1843, was was remodelled for temporary use as presbytery. The Sisters of St Joseph were accommodated in wing of a school new built in 1925.
In 1957 plans we approved for the construction of a new presbytery. The Catholic Standard reported:
“Although modern in design, the presbytery has been built so that it in now ways interferes with the antiquity of the church. The [new] presbytery has five main rooms. Large windows give maximum sunlight for the study, dining room, and kitchen…. Mr. Paul Fox, A.R.A.I.A, was honorary architect for the building, and the contractor was Mr. E. H. Hewitt, of Lindisfarne”.
The old presbytery and convent was sold and the upper part of the building was demolished. The lower level, constructed of convict bricks and sandstone, remains. The building is now called ‘Yew Tree Cottage’, after what is believed to be the oldest Yew Tree in Australia, which stands near the entrance to the building.
Sources:
Mercury, Friday 20 January 1899, page 2
World, Thursday 21 August 1919, page 3
News, Tuesday 22 July 1924, page 5
Mercury, Thursday 11 November 1937, page 15
Catholic Standard, March 1959
Southerwood, W. T Planting a faith in Tasmania : the country parishes. [W. T. Southerwood], [Hobart], 1977.
https://openhousehobart.org/buildings/st-john-the-evangelist-catholic-church-presbytery/
https://stjohns.tas.edu.au/about-the-school/
Richmond is a heritage town located in the Coal River Valley approximately 25 kilometres east of Hobart. The valley was one of the earliest areas penetrated by the first British settlers outside of Hobart. Richmond’s origins go back to 1823 when a bridge was constructed across the Coal River. Beyond the bridge lies the church of St John the Evangelist, Australia’s oldest Catholic church along with Tasmania’s first Catholic school. Another historical building on the site is the old Catholic presbytery which was later converted into a covent with an oratory for the Sisters of St Joseph.
The history of the establishment of St John’s Presbytery is described in some detail in an article published at the time of the church’s centenary in 1937:
"The presbytery was purchased from John Cassidy, who, if tradition be trusted, had presented to Dr. Polding the land on which stands St. John’s Church. Writing to Father Therry (Jan. 30, 1840), the pastor requested his superior to assert the claims of the parish to government aid: 'The Catholic community having contributed the sum of £300 towards the purchase of a residence for the R.C. Chaplain of Richmond, beg leave to solicit the Government, through you, to grant the same amount according to the provisions of the Church Act.'
The Government acceded to the application subject, however, ‘to a report from a competent officer that the house which it is proposed to purchase is worth £600, and care being taken, if the report be in the affirmative, that a proper conveyance is executed, securing the house as a Chaplain's residence in perpetuity.' Still later (July 25, 1842), we find further references to this transaction in a note sent to the Vicar-General: 'I beg to remind you that the time is just at hand for completing the agreement made between the Catholic community of Richmond church, on the one hand, and Mr. John Cassidy, on the other, with reference to the purchase of a Chaplain's residence. I have also to inform you that, unless the specified sum is paid by August 13 next. Mr. Cassidy can rescind the contract. It is, therefore, necessary that you should immediately request the Governor to authorise a person to value these premises, and forthwith obtain £300 according to the provisions of the Church Act.'
The Director of Public Works was asked to furnish, with as little delay as possible, a report on the value of the house. In the course of his statement we read: 'I found it to be a brick dwelling, of two storeys above the basement, containing six rooms, about 15ft. square each. The house has been erected about four years, and is in fair repair, and I should estimate its original cost at upwards of £600. The outbuildings attached are trifling, and very dilapidated, and, therefore, not worth taking into consideration. The quantity of ground, on which the house stands, and including the garden, is about one acre. The situation is very desirable for the purpose, and it is contiguous to the chapel. I could obtain no information of the marketable value of property in Richmond, and am, therefore, unable to form so good an opinion as I might otherwise have done; but, unless property is exceedingly depreciated, I think that £600 is not too much to be given for the house and ground, more particularly as the situation is quite suitable.'
Further trouble arose owing to the opinion given by a builder whom the congregation authorised to inspect the house 'occupied by the Rev. Mr. Butler.' He found (June 7, 1843) that the ‘side fronting the river overhangs at least three inches, and a settlement having recently taken place in the same wall, I consequently condemn the building as unsafe for any person to live in.' Following this decision His Excellency 'withheld for the present payment of the Government moiety of the purchase money.' Father Butler's successor continued to press the claim for public assistance as granted to other denominations. On August 5, 1850, application was renewed for the amount of money to which the Catholic people were entitled by law. Six months afterwards an inspector certified that 'the building had now been secured effectually by the erection of substantial cross walls carrying a verandah, and by ties of iron placed through the building.' At last the benefits of the Church Act were extended to the congregation of St. John's, and on February 3, 1852, John Cassidy, who had been receiving an annual interest of £30 for some 12 years, handed over the property by legal conveyance to the church trustees".
In 1899 the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived at Richmond and the old presbytery was converted into a residence for the nuns. An wood oratory was constructed on the east side of the building. The arrival of the Sisters is recorded in the Hobart Mercury:
“St. John's school, which has been closed since the retirement of Miss Hoare, was re-opened on the 17th inst. in charge of three of the Sisters of St. Joseph's. They were met upon arrival on Saturday last by the Rev. M. J. O’Regan and the leading members of the congregation, who, on behalf of the people, offered them a hearty welcome to the place. Services were conducted by the Rev. M. J. O'Regan on Sunday following, after which many of those who had attended took the opportunity of calling upon the Sisters, and making their acquaintance. The Presbytery has been thoroughly renovated as a residence for them, and altogether their advent here should infuse fresh life into the congregation of St. John’s”.
In 1919 the Hobart newspaper ‘World’ reported that the convent was offered for use as a hospital following the outbreak of the influenza epidemic:
“The Warden of Richmond has received advice…stating that the Sisters at the Richmond Convent had decided to turn the convent school into an hospital in the event of an outbreak of pneumonic influenza locally. They, would also do all in their power to assist, and offered their services for nursing…”.
The proposal seems not to have been taken up following the establishment of a temporary hospital at nearby Campania.
By the 1920s the presbytery had fallen into a state of disrepair and in 1929 the old Catholic school, built in 1843, was was remodelled for temporary use as presbytery. The Sisters of St Joseph were accommodated in wing of a school new built in 1925.
In 1957 plans we approved for the construction of a new presbytery. The Catholic Standard reported:
“Although modern in design, the presbytery has been built so that it in now ways interferes with the antiquity of the church. The [new] presbytery has five main rooms. Large windows give maximum sunlight for the study, dining room, and kitchen…. Mr. Paul Fox, A.R.A.I.A, was honorary architect for the building, and the contractor was Mr. E. H. Hewitt, of Lindisfarne”.
The old presbytery and convent was sold and the upper part of the building was demolished. The lower level, constructed of convict bricks and sandstone, remains. The building is now called ‘Yew Tree Cottage’, after what is believed to be the oldest Yew Tree in Australia, which stands near the entrance to the building.
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| The old presbytery which was converted into a convent for the Sisters of st Joseph in 1899. The oratory is located on the right of the building. Libraries Tasmania - Item Number NS479/1/1 |
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| An photograph showing the presbytery, school and church. The photograph shows the church with its original spire which was replaced in 1893. Libraries Tasmania: Glass Plate Negative - Probably Taken by C. P. Ray. Item Number: Item Number NS392/1/807 |
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| The Sisters of St Joseph outside St John the Evangelist - Archdiocese of Hobart Archives & Heritage Collection |
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| The new school under construction in 1924. The Sisters of St Joseph moved from the old presbytery/convent to accommodation at the site of the new school. (St John's School Richmond) |
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| The old Catholic school (1843) was converted for use as a presbytery in 1929 |
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| The new presbytery built in 1959 - Photograph: Nina Hamilton |
Mercury, Friday 20 January 1899, page 2
World, Thursday 21 August 1919, page 3
News, Tuesday 22 July 1924, page 5
Mercury, Thursday 11 November 1937, page 15
Catholic Standard, March 1959
Southerwood, W. T Planting a faith in Tasmania : the country parishes. [W. T. Southerwood], [Hobart], 1977.
https://openhousehobart.org/buildings/st-john-the-evangelist-catholic-church-presbytery/
https://stjohns.tas.edu.au/about-the-school/
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