History

.Assisting in achieving the project was a very generous donations from  parishioners including  Mr Phil Van Zuylen along with other donations acknowledged on the Donors Board in Foyer as well as sale of land at Flinders and Pt Leo

 Liturgical Effects Committee: Sr Clare Schlitz, Lyn O’Connell, Marie Dixon, Neil Maling.

 Design Features included : in concept [1] Enhance the entrance to Hastings Township.[2] Construct a Building which would provide a seating plan that brought the congregation close to the Sanctuary area.[3] Include a Multi-Use area and large Foyer which could be used in conjunction with the Church but which did not detract from its main purpose “A House of God”.[4] Provide a Forecourt area which promoted “Community Exchange” and permitted vehicle access on the occasions of Weddings, Funerals etc.[5] Include features which depicted the locality and made use of significant items from the existing Church.

 In detail :Both sides of the seating area was created (1) a Devotional area including the Baptismal Font from the existing Church and (2) A Music/Choir area featuring a new Organ.Off the spacious Foyer Entrance the Multi use area included provision for Tea and Coffee making whilst being able to be used for Children’s Liturgy or overflow from the Main Church on special occasions extra seating is required. Equally at other times it would be available for meetings and small gatherings of parishioners.The spacious Sanctuary area was to be graced by the Sanctuary Crucifix from the existing Church, a new Lecturn and Tabernacle stands which complimented the style of the existing Baptismal Font and a solid Granite Altar which Fr Williams had “acquired” from Pioneer Quarries, Dromana..During preparation of this “Local Feature”, our Altar, the Stonemasons – Mellocco Bros Clayton, were able to retain a piece large enough to produce the Foundation Stone which is placed outside the Main Foyer Entrance. Adding to the significance of this Fr Williams then invited the oldest parishioner Mr Albert Perrott to lay the Foundation Stone rather than a dignitary from outside the Parish.

ADDITIONAL LOCAL FEATURES:

The two Stained Glass Windows to either side of the Sanctuary were created by parishioner Lyn O’Connell . The one near the Lecturn and Devotional area depicts a Marian Theme and the one near the Tabernacle overlooking Western Port Bay depicts the Hastings environment and Industries and features the “Cerberus Mascot” thanks to permission gained from HMAS Cerberus.A Tapestry was created by another parishioner Marie Dixon with design by Neil Maling highlighting the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through Baptism.The Stations of the Cross were created and drawn by a young parishioner Susan Dowey using a Graphic Art Style depicting the individual scenes within the Shape of a Cross.

 Within the foyer of the Church is a painting of the Original Church which was created by Mr Joe Tranter another parishioner who was concerned that the “old Church’ would be demolished and forgotten. Thankfully that didn’t happen and it was relocated to be used as a Hall on the School grounds where it stands today. Of interest it should be noted that that building originally was built on a property further north on Victoria Street the site of the old Western Port Hotel, was moved  in 1922 , fell into disrepair in the 1950s with Masses being held then in the School Hall , then in 1957 was repaired and additions of Transept , Sanctuary and Sacristy added.

 Monument to Fr John Williams P.P. The Church stands as a lasting monument to Fr John Williams who died on the 5th December 1998 and had been our Parish Priest over the previous 16 years. Additionally it should be noted that during that time Fr Williams had also overseen the construction of St Peter’s Church, Shoreham, St Brendan’s School at Somerville and refurbished St Mary’s School at Hastings and St Joseph’s School at Crib Point. A Plaque of remembrance is placed in the garden bed outside the meeting room. 

Later the Missions of Frankston and Mornington took responsibility for sending a priest to meet the spiritual needs of the people.   Fr. Matthew Carey of Mornington was the first to celebrate mass in the simple wooden church in 1878 erected on land donated by Peter Nowlan on the corner of Beach Road and Flinders/Frankston Road: hence the dedication to St Peter! ( it is interesting to note the former Catholic Church of St John at Balnarring was on land donated by John Buckley and the land at Somerville was donated by Brendan Conroy.)

 A Second Church was blessed and opened by Archbishop Carr on the Beach Road site in 1901 at a cost of 330 pounds. The old church was removed to Martin Higgins property and acted as a shed for the farm. Many people remember crowding into the church for mass and talking outside, catching up with friends and neighbours. A photo is held of the church in September 1980 a few months before it was burnt to the ground in November. The children playing in the foreground are the great, great grandchildren of Edmond Riley

The Current Church of St Peter’s was blessed and opened by Archbishop Little in March 1984. In his address he recalled the history of this ‘cradle of faith’ and commended the local people for their initiative in having the church rebuilt on the beautiful new site in Byrnes Road, bequested by the Byrne family. There is a lovely story that tells of Grandmother Byrne being responsible for the sacred vessels and mass not able to commence until the Byrne family arrived. The view across the Shoreham valley is spectacular and reminds worshippers of the beauty of God’s creation; there is no need for stained glass windows here. By chance it also looks across to the land settled by Peter Nowlan where at his home “Ardare”, the people gathered for worship before a church existed. Today the valley resonates to the sound of the Angelus Bell rung at midday and evening. Dedicated to the pioneer families that settled here, he bell reminds us of our past and the strong faith that built this community.

History at Shoreham