Farm selections began in the 1860s and within 10 years Nagambie had a school, a Catholic church, a mechanics institute and two flour mills.
There were 76 buildings in the town in 1877.
Two historic buildings in Nagambie celebrated their 150th anniversary this month.
The first was St Malachy’s Catholic Church, on Sunday, November 19, and the second was the Nagambie Mechanics Institute on Saturday, November 25, with the Re-Creation Ball.
St Malachy’s parishioners Rhonda Robinson and Mel Arnold compiled and wrote a beautifully presented small history booklet titled The Story of St Malachy’s Parish 1875-2023.
It was a beautiful, warm sunny day on November 19 when St Malachy’s marked its 150 years of faithful service to the Nagambie and district community with a celebration Mass led by Bishop Shane Mackinlay.
Bishop Mackinlay was assisted on the day by seven fellow clergy, one being Father Tony Hill, who for 16 years was the parish priest of St Malachy’s in Nagambie and St Mary’s at Avenel, as well as Euroa, Violet Town and Longwood church centres.
Since mid-November, he has had a lighter role as a priest in Euroa, Longwood and Violet Town parishes.
Fr Rene Ramirez is the new priest at St Malachy’s.
He is looking forward to meeting parishioners, St Joseph’s school members and the broader community.
The procession into the church for the celebration Mass was led by four young servers.
The Nagambie congregation welcomed former priests, past parishioners’ families, members of the sister churches in Euroa, Avenel, Longwood and Violet Town and other church denomination representatives and community folk from the district who have been associated with St Malachy’s.
Following the Mass, the congregation stood outside the church for the dedication of a 150th commemoration plaque mounted on the church’s east wall.
Bishop Mackinlay blessed it and the people in honour of the 150th celebrations.
The bishop and clergy then led the congregation to the Old Catholic Presbytery nearby, which is more than 140 years old.
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