History of St Mary in the Valley
In the Beginning…
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John1.1-2)
With Canberra’s housing development expanding into the southern Tuggeranong valley, suggestions were made for the establishment of another Anglican church to serve the people living south of St Matthew’s in Wanniassa.
The Society of the Sacred Mission (SSM) was instrumental in starting the southern Tuggeranong parish, which is now known as St Mary in the Valley. The Society felt led to make that proposal to Bishop Cecil Warren.
Father Christopher Myers (SSM) would be the Prior and act as Priest-in-Charge of the new Church. Father Laurence Eyres and Brothers Joseph Kinsela and Peter Story joined the South Tuggeranong priory. Two regular-sized suburban houses would be built to form the priory on adjacent blocks in McBurney Crescent, Richardson.
The first service was held on Palm Sunday, 27th March 1983, in the audio-visual room of Gowrie Primary School. Bishop, the Right Reverend Owen Dowling commissioned Father Christopher on the Sunday after Easter, 10th April 1983.
The first service at Richardson Primary School Hall was held on 12th February, 1984 at 9.30am. May 6th 1984 saw the declaration of the Special District of South Tuggeranong. In 1984 St Mary in the Valley was named. In 1985 St Edmund’s, Tharwa, previously run by the Queanbeyan parish became part of St Mary in the Valley.
The Mannus Church
“Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. Test everything. Hold onto the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5. 17-19, 21)
The first Rector, Reverend Robin Miners was inducted by Bishop Owen Dowling on Tuesday, 19th April 1988 at an evening service. A block of land was negotiated with the NCDC in Chisholm and a rectory purchased close by.
Tumbarumba Parish provided St Mary in the Valley with the 1918-built St Michael and All Angel’s church, that was no longer in use at Mannus. After it was transported to Canberra, parishioners met every Saturday to erect the church on the Chisholm block. Work continued until, on Saturday 13th January, 1990, a mini cyclone destroyed the wooden church. A heartbroken congregation wondered where to turn. Prayer and direction from the Lord provided the answers.
A New Beginning at Calwell
“This is what the Lord says:” “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins and the palace will stand in its proper place.” (Jeremiah 30:18)
A new beginning was at hand. With land acquired at Calwell, the parish had a fresh opportunity to grow an even stronger faith community. John Nott, the architect for the Calwell church, said it was a great privilege to be involved with the design of St Mary in the Valley. The service of “Turning the Sod” took place on 17th July, 1994.
The dedication and opening of the new worship centre, opposite the Calwell shops on Sunday 17th December, 1994 was a blessed occasion. By this time, Reverend Chris Short was the Rector. Bishop George Browning officiated, with representatives from local and federal government.
In 2024, the parish rejoiced, with the Consecration of the St Mary in the Valley worship centre at Calwell. Held on Sunday 15th December 2024, and led by Bishop Mark Short, parishioners and guests experienced the blessing of their permanent place of worship. The event also recognized the dedication and hard work of so many parishioners and clergy from its beginnings in 1983, which has continued through until today.
30 Years at Calwell… 43 Years as a Parish in South Tuggeranong and Tharwa
“Then He said to His disciples,” “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9. 37-38)
After the Shorts completed their time at St Mary in the Valley, Reverend Canon Gillian (Gill) Varcoe, was inducted on 27th November, 2001. The parish continued to move on its journey of faith, still running Cursillo, Faith and Alpha groups, Bible studies, women’s groups, fundraising and Bishop’s dinners.
Mary’s Market Op Shop has been a strong outreach in the community. Click here to learn more about Mary’s Market.
Reverend Roberta Hamilton was inducted on 30th May, 2013; Reverend David McLennan was inducted on 9th November, 2016; and Reverend John Kuruvilla, our current Rector, was inducted on 21st July, 2023.
A booklet containing the full history of St Mary in the Valley and St Edmund’s, Tharwa can be purchased for $10.00.
Contact the church office.
