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BUILDINGS
GROUNDS
The Chapel
The chapel was completed in 1874 under Mother Xavier Maguire’s directions and forms part of the old convent. As Archbishop Goold was absent in Rome, the ceremony of blessing and opening the chapel was performed by Dean Fitzpatrick on 24 May, 1874.
The chapel is a beautiful example of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture. Built between 1863 - 1874, it involved a number of architects in its design. The original drawings were undertaken by John Bourke of Dublin. Major alterations to these drawings were made by William Wardle and sent back to the Mother House in Ireland by Mother Xavier. No other changes to the plans were made by Mr T. A. Kelly, of Melbourne who was contracted to build the chapel. No evidence is available as to why the redesigning took place. The stonemasons who originally built the chapel came from Ireland.
The side chapel was added in 1877, the architect being Alexander Davidson.
After Vatican II, the altar was brought forward so the priest performing mass could now face the clergy. Sometime soon after that, in 1966 a decision was made to remove the central supporting pillar that divided the main chapel from the boarders’ chapel as the Sisters felt that the pillar obscured the view of the altar for the boarders.
Forty-five years later, in 2010 the chapel was suffering from extensive cracking which was always thought to have been caused due to the drought. When a gang of cockatoos moved into the slate roof and started to destroy it, structural engineers were called in, and it was found that the structure had been put at risk by the removal of the pillar.
For two years the chapel was closed while the pillar was reinstated, the slate roof replaced and the interior completely restored. The restoration included installing new heating, lighting, remodelling the high altar and repainting the ornate sanctuary dome and chapel walls.
Our new altar and lectern were crafted by Scott Ballan, from original redgum beams in the subfloor that were found to be rotting. The chapel has received its last final touches with our newest treasure, the ornate sanctuary lamp, imported from Dublin, Ireland, and originally hung in St Patrick’s Hall.
The 130-year-old Fincham organ has also been serviced and received a facelift, with beautiful gothic design painted onto the pipe facade by Mulholland Restoration and Decorating.
The Cemetery
The lawn cemetery is situated on the western side of Sacred Heart College in a quiet, sunny and peaceful part of the grounds.
The cemetery was commenced in 1878 when Rev. Sister Mary Gertrude O’Farrel died, and at the present time contains over 100 graves, including those of two priests; Rev. Fr Percy Jones (Geelong-born, noted and talented musician) and Fr. Sydney Lennon (first chaplain at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home who asked to be buried at the cemetery).
A fifty year ban was placed on the cemetery in 1897. During this ban, 56 sisters were buried in the East Geelong Cemetery.
The graves are set out in a symmetrical pattern with a marble monument taking centre place. Roses add colour and beauty to the cemetery. Initially, the graves had sandstone crosses, but over the years these deteriorated and were replaced by brass plaques.
Three of the four nuns who founded Sacred Heart College are buried alongside one another. The plaques read 'Rev. Mother Xavier Maguire 30th August 1879, RIP', 'Rev. Mother Gabriel Sherlock 3rd October 1897, RIP' and 'Rev. Mother Margaret Mullaly 2nd June 1892, RIP'. Sister Regis Manly, the fourth foundress died while the ban on the SHC cemetery was in place and is buried in the East Geelong Cemetery.
A white marble monument with a celtic cross is set in the middle of the cemetery. There are two latin inscriptions on the monument and translated they read “Rise Brides of Christ” and “Through The Cross Into The Light”.
The monument was donated by a Miss Mansfield, a past pupil and boarder.
The Grotto
The Grotto depicts Our Lady appearing to St Bernadette at Lourdes. Devotion to Mary increased in the early part of the 20th century. The SHC grotto was built in 1914 from the boulders and rocks found around the property, and collected by boarders.
In May, just before the school holidays (at that time end of term was May), all the students processed to the grotto, each with a small bouquet of flowers for Mary, and placed them on and around the grotto. As the procession continued, they would sing hymns (accompanied by the organ being played inside) and recite the rosary.
The Head Prefect was given the honour of placing a crown of flowers on Mary’s head. This was called the ‘Crowning of Our Lady with Flowers’.
The grotto could be floodlit and there was a trickle of water flowing into the fountain. It is now covered with ivy and wild roses.
As devotion to Mary was not as fervent as in the 1960’s, by the 1970’s the custom gradually died out.
The inscription on the plaque on the front of the grotto reads “This statue and grotto were blessed by his Grace, the Most rev. Carr on 11th February 1914”.
The grotto is surrounded by the Remembrance Garden, remembering past staff and students.
The Reception Parlour
The Reception Parlour forms part of the North Wing built in 1871. It is called the Reception Parlour because it was used for receiving visitors and for very special occasions. One such occasion would have been dinners for the parents of Noviciates who had just been professed as Nuns.
During the 1930s - 1960s debutantes in their dresses were presented to Mother Superior in the Parlour before they would go off to the debutante ball. Today it is used to entertain guests of the school.
There are four tapestries in this room that were worked by the early Sisters in their leisure hours. They depict "The Agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane", "The Taking Down of Christ from the Cross", " Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley on the Battlefield" and "A Poachers Catch of Game". The tapestries date from between 1874 and 1890.
On the mantlepiece is an alabaster crucifix bequeathed to the College by Archbishop Goold in 1886.
The Bishop’s Parlour
The Bishop's Parlour forms part of the north wing of the school which was built in 1871. It is called the Bishop's Parlour because the first Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop Goold and subsequent bishops, used the parlour when staying in Geelong, or when staying overnight on the way to Colac or other regions of the western district.
There are portraits/photographs of all the Archbishops of Melbourne, right up to the present day.
Over the fireplace is a portrait of Mother Xavier Maguire, foundress of Sacred Heart, painted by Kate Streeter c1872.
The bookcase contains antique silverware, some with provenance to Geelong's early priests. There are a number of old bound volumes of the Penny Encyclopedia and some Latin texts.
On the mantlepiece there is an alabaster statue of the Archangel Gabriel.
The Sanctuary Window
The most significant feature of the Sacred Heart College Chapel is the magnificent stained glass sanctuary window which was installed for the opening ceremony in 1874. The unique design includes the 14 Stations of the Cross and a central panel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A lower panel depicts the pelican feeding her young with her blood, symbolising Christ our Redeemer.
The design of the window was inspired by Mother Xavier Maguire as it was her wish the Sisters could remain in their seats, look up at the window and follow Christ’s final journey as they took part in the devotion of the Stations of the Cross.
The window was designed by English architect and renowned stained glass artist David Relph Drape and made by Ferguson and Urie of Melbourne, using glass which had been sourced in Italy. The sanctuary window was a gift to the Sisters from the families of the early boarders.
David Relph Drape emigrated to Australia from England and quickly established his reputation as an architect and stained-glass artist. During his long career he designed and made many beautiful windows which still feature in churches, private houses and buildings in Victoria. In many of his works his name or initials were almost invisibly painted into the intricate scenes, but if David left his name on the Sacred Heart College sanctuary window it remains hidden.
You can read more about the College windows and Ferguson and Urie here - Ferguson and Urie
Maptivate
To view an interactive digital map of the College, please visit our Maptivate page.
This page will allow you to discover Sacred Heart College’s history, and access information simply by using the marked map points.
The three themes featured are Our Stories, Our School and Our Spaces.
Enjoy the virtual tour, full of interesting information, videos, and images.
Click here to visit our Maptivate page: SHC Maptivate