There is one reminiscence arising out of the early history of the church in Port Phillip, i.e. the freehandedness with which the followers of one creed helped to put up a place of worship for a different denomination, and this was especially noticeable as regarded the Episcopalians towards their less numerous and less wealthy fellow-colonists—the R o m a n Catholics. Another m a y be adduced by the first R o m a n Catholic Church at Brighton, the site for which was given by Mr. J. B. Were, and the building funds were largely helped by the contributions of local residents professing creeds different from Catholicity. O n the 30th April, 1847, the Brighton Catholic Chapel was completed, and opened by Mass from Dean Coffey, and ,£10 4s. 6d. collected. In connection with this event it would be unfair to omit the n a m e of Richard Martin, a queer old market-gardener of Little Brighton, to whose unceasing exertions in money-hunting, m u c h of the early success of the movement m a y be justly attributed. For some time exertions had been m a d e towards the erection of a second temple of the Catholic religion in the eastern part of the town of Melbourne, and the requisite ,£300 (which included ^ 1 4 ios. contributed by the T o w n Police) being raised, an application was m a d e to the Executive for a suitable site, and in July, 1848, it was notified that two acres of land had been assigned for the purpose. This land was situated on the northern verge of what was k n o w n as the Eastern Hill, and a newspaper of the time describes the locale as "being in a picturesque position on a line with Collins Street, between St. Peter's and a Government paddock" (the n o w Fitzroy Gardens). Melbourne was to be divided into two parishes, with Swanston-street as the boundary line. A second school was to be established, and Dean Coffey, it was anticipated, would be the pastor of the n e w district. Matters were thus progressing until the
Arrival of the first Bishop.
For a year or so, rumours, authorised to a certain extent, were in circulation that it was the intention of the Supreme Pontiff to appoint a Bishop to the n o w important Province of Port Phillip. M u c h curiosity was evinced as to the selection by the Court of R o m e , and the following names were mentioned, from which the new Prelate would be chosen, viz.:—The Very Revs. P. B. Geoghegan, Dr. Gregory (of Sydney), Dean Goold (of Campbelltown, N.S.W.), and the Rev. M r . Turner (Sydney). Father Geoghegan was unquestionably the local favourite, and possessed the strongest claims both on the score of past services, ability, and undisputed eligibility for the high office. W e r e betting allowable in such a case, the odds would be as 50 to 1 on him against thefield;but the end showed thefieldersto be gainers, as the winner, though certainly in the running, took m a n y by surprise. In February, 1848, official advices from Sydney announced the appointment of the Very Rev. James Alipius Goold as R o m a n Catholic Bishop of Melbourne. There was m u c h disappointment, and there were not wanting persons to openly express their disapprobation, not at the personnel of the selection, but because, as they believed, the best m a n had been passed over. T h e discontent soon melted away, and there was a general acquiescence in the choice made, because nothing else could be done than to yield a dutiful obedience to the behests of the Holy See, and M r . Geoghegan himself was thefirstto inculcate it. There was always an unexplained mystery attending the elevation of Dean Goold to the Episcopacy. S o m e power had been at work, to the outside world invisible, and it was never clearly ascertained why Father Geoghegan was shelved. I enjoyed the privilege of his personal friendship, and know for a certainty that he had been led to believe, from sources on which the utmost reliance could be placed, that he was designed as thefirstBishop. Archdeacon Pohlding was the main contributory to the result arrived at, and it was alleged on his behalf that his recommendation of Dean Goold had been occasioned by His Grace, when in England, having had intimation from Australia that Father Geoghegan had resigned his pastoral charge at Port Phillip and intended withdrawing altogether from the Australian Mission. All that can be written of the matter n o w is that a possible misconception on the part of the Archbishop induced him to act as he The Right Rev. Dr. Goold was consecrated in St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, on the 6th August, 1848 (the Feast of the'Configuration), by Archbishop Pohlding, assisted by Bishop Murphy, w h o travelled from Adelaide via Melbourne for the purpose. After a brief return to Campbelltown, to bid his old flock farewell the new Prelate started overland for Melbourne, accompanied by four clergymen. H e travelled m
