Patron Saint

St Ignatius of Loyola is patron saint of this church and founder of the Jesuits (Society of Jesus). The parish was entrusted to the care of the Jesuits in 1866.

St Ignatius was born Inigo Lopez on 24 December 1491, the year before Columbus discovered the New World. His birthplace was the great castle of Loyola in Guipuzcoa, in the Basque country of northwest Spain.

In 1521 when defending the Spanish fortress of Pamplona, Ignatius' right leg was shattered by a cannonball. During his convalescence, he experienced the gift of God's consolation in such a way that his life changed forever and after a long, serious reflection, he decided to devote the rest of his life to outstanding service of God.

He died on 31 July 1556 and is the patron of spiritual retreats and soldiers.

History

St Ignatius' Church is one of the earliest churches in Australia. The church was designed by architect William Wardell (1823-1899), who was noted for his ecclesiastical work, including St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.

St Ignatius’ Church is a symbol of our community’s faith and involvement in the neighbourhood. Its beautiful fabric and breathtaking interior offer a wonderful display of architecture and art.