St David’s Tea Tree Gully
Footprints in time – 40 years on
 
Sunday October 25 marked the 40th anniversary of the consecration of St David’s Church in Tea Tree Gully, South Australia. Parish priest, Fr George Ryan, together with assistant priests, Frs Andrew Chen and Slawek Plonka, former Parish priests Frs Dave Shelton and Sholto Douglas and Oblate Provincial Fr Harry Dyer celebrated a special anniversary Mass with parishioners past and present. A very inspiring sermon was preached by Fr Ryan and Fr Chen produced a beautiful book recording the names and dates of all the deceased parishioners which will be referred to every day. Each of the four parish schools were well represented by their principals and students. Also present was Mr Tony Zappia MP – the Federal member for Makin and local parishioner.
Following the Mass many happy memories were recalled over a barbecue lunch with a good day had by all.
St David’s Timeline
1957 Fr JP McCann OMI officially took over the Hillcrest Parish with Fr Frank O’Hara OMI as first assistant.
1961 First Mass in Tea Tree Gully Institute celebrated by Fr McCann
1962 Brigidine Sisters arrive in Hillcrest Parish
1967 Fr N Geraghty OMI buys the land at Elizabeth St, Tea Tree Gully
1968 Fr J O’Doherty OMI and Fr J Hipwell OMI occupy the house built in Elizabeth St.
1969
Feb 28 First Mass at Elizabeth St property in a converted garage
March Sunday School commences at the Tea Tree Gully Institute
May 9 Permission granted to build a church by Archbishop Beovich at a cost of
$82,459.
June Social Club Cabaret Memorial Hall. Tickets $1 a double.
July 6 Foundation stone for St David’s laid by Archbishop Beovich.
Oct 23 Consecration of St David’s
Oct 26 Official opening of the church
1973
Mar 1 Offically became the Parish of Tea Tree Gully
In terms of dates, St David’s was originally part of the Salisbury Parish (1869), then Walkerville (1941), then Hillcrest (1957) and finally in 1973 became a parish in ots own right. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the consecration and in four years’ time it will be the 40th anniversary of being a parish.
However, history is only relevant in terms of people and while every person who has lived in the Gully area has made a contribution to the history of the church, ther are some who became more prominent than others.
As we look back and give thanks to God for 40 years of this ever-growing parish, a parish that is a tribute to the faith of a young and sparse community that flourished under the leadership of the Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate.
Oblates who contributed to St David’s
Fr J McCann, Fr J O’Doherty, Fr M Clarke, Fr J Hipwell, Fr J Dunlea, Fr N Geraghty, Fr G Crawford, Fr W Byrne, Fr D Hughes, Fr J O’Shaughnessy, Fr L Mifsuc, Fr C Bence, Fr S Douglas, Fr L Keelty, Fr W Ousley, Fr P O’Reilly, Fr J Scott, Fr J Rut, Fr B O’Brien, Fr R L’Henaff, Fr M Anandanpulle, Fr W Meng, Fr S Kalisz, Fr E Allaume, Fr G Conlan, Fr P Dwyer, Fr T Sypion, Fr G Conlan, Fr T Maher.
Frs George Ryan, Andrew Chen and Slawek Plonka |
