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Kim Flesser

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BANYO CATHOLIC CHURCH

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Before 1928, mass was held mainly at Nundah, St Vincent's Orphanage and at times, in private homes.  The Catholic Church known as "The Real Presence" or affectionately as "The Little Green Church", was situated on the corner of Buckland Road and Duke Street, Nundah.  It was opened 19th June, 1904 and became disused as a result of a brick church being erected in nearby Bage Street.  The "Real Presence" was moved bodily to the corner St Vincents Road and Redhill Road, Banyo.  It was renamed "St Pius" Church and opened by Archbishop Duhig, 11th September, 1927.  The Rev. Fr. Bolton conducted mass until 11th September, 1928.

On 5th February, 1928, The Rev. Dean Brady was inducted as the first Parish Priest of Banyo by Archbishop Duhig.  Dean Brady retired in 1945 and passed away in 1951.  Rev. Fr. Vince Carroll was given charge of Banyo Parish, Cribb Island, Nudgee beach and the Chaplaincy of St Vincents Home from 1945. 

Fr Carroll saw the need for a Parish school and set to work.  He was rewarded in 1947 with the opening of St Pius School.  Newer school buildings were opened in 1971 to accommodate a greater number of students.

In 1952 Fr. Carroll was transferred to Kingaroy and Rev. Fr. Wheeler was appointed Parish Priest of Banyo, where he remained until his death, aged 58 in 1953.

Rev. Fr. Landener was appointed on 9th March, 1954.  He resigned because of ill health in 1966 and accepted the Parish of St Mary's, South Brisbane. 

The next Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. Kiley.  He showed great courage the night the "Little Green Church" was destroyed by fire on the 15th March, 1976.  He and Sister Brenda, despite smoke and flames, rescued the Blessed Sacrament, with no fear for their own safety.  Locals say that they should have received a bravery award. 

It was sad to see a building with so much history deliberately destroyed by fire.  It affected so many people who had fond memories of good times and sad times.  Local resident Reg Fleming was christened in the same building when it was at Nundah, and then was married in it when it was moved to Banyo. 

Fr. Kiley retired from Banyo Parish and went to live at Redcliffe, still doing relieving work.

A new church was built after the fire and was named "The Church of the Holy Trinity".  It was opened and blessed on 29th May, 1977 by the Most Rev. Rush.

Rev. Fr. Bill McCarthy was appointed Parish Priest of Banyo when Fr. Kiley retired and is still the Parish Priest of Banyo.

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