BELLINGEN PARISH CENTENARY YEAR 1908-2008
Mary Immaculate, Mother of God Church, Bellingen 
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PARISH PRIEST
Dear parents,
It is with pleasure that I welcome you to St Mary’s School, which is an integral part of our Parish.
The Principal, Mrs Jenny Triglone and the staff of St Mary’s always place the good of the children and their families first, and anything they can possibly do for you they will.
The school places a strong emphasis on living by Christian Values of loving, caring and respect for one another.
I’m sure you will find a very positive atmosphere here as your child learns and grows in a wholistic way and in a secure environment.
May your time here at St Mary’s bear much fruit
Sincerely,
Father Jim Reilly. P.P.
Brief Parish History
In 1864 the first catholic families arrived in the Bellinger. At this time our priests were stationed in Kempsey. There was no church and masses were said in the parishioners' homes. Within twenty years the number of worshippers had grown to the point that house masses were no longer feasible, and a Church was built in Hyde St Bellingen in 1881.
In January 1911, the foundation stone of a building that would be used as a school - as well as a hall and a church was laid on the the land which is our current school site in Park Street Bellingen. A cottage was also purchased nearby and converted into a convent to accommodate the sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Order who would come to Bellingen as the first teachers in our school.
In 1919 it was recognised that a new Church was needed for the growing congregation and; the foundation stone for the current church was laid in 1909.
In 1949, after forty years the sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Order withdrew from Bellingen to further their foreign missionary activities. They were replaced by the Presentation Sisters; who also established communities at Dorrigo and Urunga.
The Presentation Sisters withdrew from St Mary's Catholic School in 1991, and the school is now staffed by lay teachers.
Our School Centenary will be celebrated in 2011.
Park Street Bellingen N.S.W. 2454 - Postal Address: P.O. Box 326 Bellingen N.S.W. 2454
Telephone: (02) 6655 1432 Fax: (02) 6655 2578 - Email: smpbell@lism.catholic.edu.au
