St John Bosco Church Kenilworth QLD

St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish strives to be a community of the Lord’s disciples in the Nambour, Kenilworth, Palmwoods, Yandina and Bli Bli areas of the Sunshine Coast. Ours is an energetic community which provides varieties of opportunities for ministry within the Church for the building up of the Body of Christ. In this way we hope to equip ourselves and our Church to proclaim the reign of God in our world.

We welcome you to connect with our Parish communities and especially in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at either St Joseph Nambour, St John Bosco Kenilworth or at Palmwoods. ​We invite you to register on the Parish Census by completing our Parish Census form (via the button below). Should you require additional information that is not covered by this website, please don't hesitate to contact our Parish office.

Peace and blessing upon you and your family,
​
Fr Odinaka Nwadike
Parish Priest

 

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The new Roman Catholic Church was opened and blessed on Sunday by Archbishop Duhig, who was assisted by the Rev. Dr. Doody Nambour. There was a large gathering, and cash donations amounted to about £100. Several donations for furnishings also were received. The building is situated on a hill overlooking the town, and the site was donated by the late Mr. Christy Sharry. The total cost of the church and furnishings was a little over £600. The Indebtedness is about £400. Luncheon was provided in the public hall, where the Rev. Dr. Doody welcomed his Grace, and was supported by Messrs. K. Cameron and P. Sharry. (The Courier Mail 13 April 1938) KENILWORTH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FROM THE EARLY DAYS TO THE PRESENT

1843 ~ First recorded Christian service in the Mary Valley, ‘on a ridge overlooking a beautiful flat on the bank of the river which we named Parson’s Vale’. (Probably near today’s Eastern Mary River Road and Maleny/Kenilworth Road). Lutheran Pastor, Christopher Eiper conducted the service. 1868 ~ Mr Patrick Sharry joined by Fr Matthew Horan while he boiled his billy on the way to the Gympie goldfield. St Patrick’s Parish was established in Gympie. It included Kenilworth. 1870s ~ Catholic priests, including Fathers Matthew Horan and Duncan McNab, visiting the Mary Valley, made Kenilworth Homestead their base. Along the way, they ministered to all creeds including the Aboriginees of the area. 1880-1920 ~ Kenilworth continue to be ministered to by priests from Gympie. When Kenilworth Station was cut up and sold, the Catholic community became part of the Nambour Parish. 1920-1937 ~ Priests from Nambour visited Kenilworth and celebrated Mass in the home of Mr Will Sharry. When the number became too great for his house, the Kenilworth hall was used. 1937 ~ Dr. Doody decided a church building was needed in Kenilworth. A.J. and C.F. Sharry donated a block of land for the building. 1938-1943 ~ Opening of St John Bosco’s Church by Archbishop James Duhig, with a debt of £404. In 1940, Nambour Parish Choir travelled to every church in the Parish presenting Missae Cantatae, raising funds for the Parish. The debt on the Church had been reduced to £106. 1944-1976 ~ During World War II, Italian Prisoners of War attended Mass here. Thirteen Kenilworth families donated Stations of the Cross. During these years, fundraising continued by way of Raffles and the Annual St Patrick’s Ball. The debt on the church was fully repaid and all maintenance on the building paid for from these funds. The whole Kenilworth community fully supported St John Bosco’s. 1976-1984 ~ Mass was no longer celebrated. The Parish Priest decided to sell the church to fund other Parish projects. However, the people of Kenilworth toiled to keep the building in the hands of the community. The Balls continued; funds being given to other community groups. Maria Stotschek led the community through these difficult days. Kenilworth residents petitioned Archbishop Rush with the request to keep the church. They were successful; the era of being part of Nambour ended. 1984-2013 ~ Archbishop Rush realigned the boundaries and St John Bosco’s became part of Caloundra Parish. There was great joy when the Archbishop came to Kenilworth to officially reopen the church, and formally appoint and install Ministers to preside over Lay Liturgy. 2014 - present day ~ St John Bosco’s Community returned to its original home in Nambour Parish.