allowed for the minister. The temporary chapel had cost, to date, £172. There was a sum of £200 in hand, and as promises were numerous, there could be no reasonable doubt as to success. The appeal to the "Dissenting Brethren" must have been attended with some productive results, for this resolution was passed by the meeting, viz.:— "That our thanks are gratefully offered to the esteemed individuals of other persuasions, who have so generously aided us in erecting a place to worship God, according to our conscience; and we pledge ourselves to maintain to the uttermost of our power, the liberal Christian spirit which at present distinguishes the district of Port Phillip." Like the Rev. Mr. Grylls, Father Geoghegan "was of small stature," but no "stammer" detracted from his elocutionary powers, which were considerable. He was a round, chubby, natty little man, a perfect picture of health and cheerfulness, and though most uncompromising in maintaining his rights and privileges, was as liberal-minded and tolerant as he was kind-hearted and charitable. There never was in the colony so universal a favourite with all classes, and when he left to assume the responsibilities of the Roman Catholic Episcopate of Adelaide, it was amidst feelings of general regret. As he is the only one of our early clergymen who subsequently obtained the highest ecclesiastical promotion, it may be interesting to give a few historical particulars of his career. He was born in Dublin, and was a schoolfellow of that great lost star of the theatrical firmament, the lamented G. V. Brooke. He completed his education at Rome, and came out to Sydney in 1837. After the arrival of Bishop'Goold, he officiated in Melbourne as Vicar-General and Vicar-Foran, and was for some years pastor at Williamstown. In 1859, he was nominated Bishop of Adelaide, (S.A) and on the 8th September consecrated as such at St. Francis' Church. Singular to say the city of his cradle became that of his grave, for, after all his wanderings in both hemispheres, he died in Dublin, after undergoing a surgical operation, on the 4th June, 1864, and was buried there.
The first advertised charity sermon preached in the colony was by Father Geoghegan, at 2 p.m., on Sunday, 22nd December, 1839, when a collection was made towards the expense of enclosing the general burial ground at Melbourne. A great inconvenience was felt by the congregation, inasmuch as there was no bell to chime the hour for prayer, except a sheep-bell on which old Bodecin rang the changes in an astounding manner at the church door; and on the fact becoming known to Mr. R. H. Browne, of Heidelberg, he generously presented one, and now there was a bell on the hill (St. James'), and one in the plain, the former being close to the then centre of population, and the other far away from it.
In December, 1840, after a fifteen months' stay, the Rev. Mr. Walshe left for Norfolk Island, and was replaced by the Rev. M. Ryan. The Government had long since granted the land, and assigned the stipend as the momentous £300 had been raised, and things began to brighten considerably, the most welcome event of all being an influx of immigrants from the South of Ireland, which not only helped to swell the Sunday attendances, but the collections as well. About this period also appeared in the young settlement one destined to take a prominent place amongst a generation of public men, who for ability and patriotism, have certainly not been excelled since. This was Mr. (afterwards Sir) John O'Shanassy. He was a host in helping the small Catholic community; he was the trusted friend and counsellor of Father Geoghegan through struggles and difficulties of no ordinary nature, and no man, be he priest or bishop, ever served the church of which he was a worshipper, with more zeal or disinterestedness than he did, at a time when such services were as rare as they were priceless.
At the end of 1840, the position of the Roman Catholic Church was thus:— Pastor, Rev. P. B. Geoghegan; Pastor's Assistant, Rev. R. Walshe; Trustees, Right Rev. John Bede Pohlding, Rev. P. B. Geoghegan, and Alexander M'Killop, Esq.; Schoolmaster, Mr. John Lynch; Schoolmistress, Mrs. Mary Lynch.
In May, 1841, the Roman Catholics resident in the town of Melbourne and County of Bourke were reckoned at 2073. Plans and specifications having been prepared and approved, a contract entered into, and the 4th October was appointed for laying
The Foundation-Stone of St. Francis' Church.
The weather was tempestuous and threatening storm and rain. The attendance was large in proportion to the population. Mass was said in the Provisional Church by the Rev. Mr. Ryan, after which
