St John’s Catholic Church, Richmond
St John’s Catholic Church, is found on the banks of the Coal River is located in Richmond Village, Tasmania. The town is a popular destination for tourists. It is located only 20 minutes from Hobart and is on the road to the historic Port Arthur site. The beautiful town is also home to stunning Georgian architecture and the historical Richmond Bridge.
The church is the oldest still-functioning Catholic Church in Australia, having opened on 31 December 1837. It is considered Australia’s oldest Catholic Church, although this may not be totally accurate. The foundation stone for St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney was laid in 1821. However, the original chapel was destroyed by fire in 1865.
The church is a short walk from the Richmond Bridge. It is beautifully maintained and when we visited lavender was blooming in the garden. But it was disappointing to see the paving that had been used to create the car park outside which detracts from the look of the building.
From the front, the view of the church with the beautiful garden gives a great photo opportunity.
If you are stopping in Richmond to see the bridge, it is well worth the short walk up to the church.
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