ST Joseph's Catholic Church was recently registered as the site of 14 war memorials to district soldiers lost in World War 1.
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St Mary’s College students, Mackenzie Dewsbury and Emmerson Tull, with the support of teacher Vicki Isbester, researched and uploaded the information to the NSW War Memorials Register.
Gunnedah was a small town of less that 3000 people when World War 1 erupted, yet 325 of the town and district's young men answered the patriotic call.
Sadly 108 of those young men did not return.
Parish priest Fr Daniel Keane, had a vision for the future needs of his flock at a time when local residents were grieving the loss of so many young men on the battlefields of France and Gallipoli.
The beautiful Gothic building literally became a memorial to those lost in the Great War with the Stations of the Cross dedicated to loved ones who never came home.
The 14 stations cost 10 pounds ($20) each and the pain and suffering of Jesus on his way to Calvary is a reflection of the deep tragedy and suffering caused by war.
The stations in St Joseph’s Church are painted reliefs, with an inscription honouring one or more soldiers, where and when they died, and the name of the donor. Building work on the church began in the final months of World War 1.
The foundation stone was laid on July 7, 1918 by Dr O'Connor, Bishop of Armidale and the opening and blessing of the church was celebrated on June 22, 1919. The church also features a spectacular display of stained glass windows, which tell the life story of St Joseph.
Next year, on the long weekend in June, the parish will commemorate the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone and all former parishioners and friends are invited to the celebration.
Stations of the Cross memorials: Station 1, Jesus is condemned to death: Erected by Private S. Freill in memory of friends killed at Gallipoli 1915. Station 2, Jesus is made to bear his cross: Erected by T. J. Bowen in memory of Private L. Bowen Died in England 12th October 1915. Station 3, Jesus falls the first time: Erected by Mrs S. Cohen in memory of Driver E. Cohen Killed in France 30 March 1918.
Station 4, Jesus meets his mother: Erected by Fitzgerald Family Huntsgrove in memory of Private W. B. Fitzgerald Killed in France 30 July 1918.
Station 5, The Cyrenean helps Jesus: Erected by Private W. J. O'Brien in memory of comrades killed at Lone Pine 6th August 1915. Station 6, Veronica wipes the face of Jesus:Erected by F. Babbage in memory of Private J. Babbage Killed in France 26 September 1917.
Station 7, Jesus falls the second time: Erected by Mrs Nelson in memory of Private A. J. Nelson Killed at Gallipoli 15th August 1915.
Station 8, Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem: Erected by T. Maguire Boggabri in memory of Private J. J. Maguire killed in France 16th April 1918 AND Trooper G. F. Maguire killed in Egypt 8th August 1918.
Station 9, Jesus falls the third time: Erected by Mrs Best in memory of Sergeant W. J. Best Killed in France 10th August 1918. Station 10, Jesus is stripped of his garments: Erected by A. Turner. Carroll in memory of Private L. A. Turner Killed in France 7th June 1917.
Station 11, Jesus is nailed to the cross: Erected by E. Grace Tambar Springs in memory of Corporal R. Grace Killed in France 8th November 1916.
Station 12, Jesus dies on the cross: Erected by Mrs Bloomfield Jr in memory of Sergeant J. Bloomfield Killed in France 12 October 1917.
Station 13, Jesus is taken from the cross: Presented by Mr & Mrs Cushan and family in memory of Private D. Cushan Killed in France 13th July 1917.
Station 14, Jesus is placed in the sepulcher: Erected by Mrs Ford in memory of Corporal J. Ford Killed at sea 11th December 1916.
