
GOLDFIELDS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Our History
The Catholic story in this region is one of sustained faith, resilience, and community, and is deeply rooted in the unique history of the Western Australian Goldfields.
St Mary's Church, Kalgoorlie, 125th Anniversary Video
The history of the Catholic Church in the Goldfields of Western Australia is deeply connected to the region's gold rush era and its community development.
Catholic life began with the discovery of gold in the late 19th century. The first known Mass in Kalgoorlie was held in 1893, celebrated under a makeshift altar. This event marked the beginning of a formal Catholic presence as miners and settlers, many of Irish descent, began to arrive in the area. The influx of Irish immigrants made Catholicism a prominent faith in the booming population.
Today, the Catholic Church remains a significant spiritual, cultural, and social force in the Goldfields. The community celebrates its key anniversaries and continues its commitment to serving the region through parish life, education, and outreach programs.