photogallery

Built to serve a growing farming community between Geraldton and Mullewa, Monsignor Hawes designed this church in 1933 and the first Mass was celebrated there by Dean Irwin, on 24th November, 1935.

In 1934, Father John Hawes, who at that time was the Parish priest of Mullewa, was asked by Bishop O'Collins to draw up a set of plans for a simple chapel, for Kojarena. The O’Brien’s were delighted, and offered a small parcel of their farmland, adjacent to their home, on which to build their much anticipated "little church"
The Chapel was officially opened in 1935, after having been built by Arthur Osborne of Walkaway. He was assisted by Norm Bagley also of Walkaway. The stone was quarried locally, and carted to the site by volunteers, much of it on Con Culloton's truck. A large gathering attended the opening.

Photo taken in 2007 provided by the O'Brien Family

History of the Saint James Chapel - provided bt the O'Brien family June 2009

For many years the simple little stone chapel, nestled into the hillside at Kojarena, presented a rather forlorn and neglected picture to the passerby. It was hard to imagine that it had once been the centre not only for the local Catholic community, but for the community at large.
During the late 1890s, James and Maggie O'Brien took up some of the first land in the Kojarena area to be farmed. They arrived from Greenough with their three small children and decided to make the area their home. A modest stone homestead was built, and the couple toiled in everyway they could to make a comfortable living for their ever-growing family. Another 8 children were to be born at the homestead (sadly two infants died), leaving a family of two daughters and seven sons. James cleared the farm, and cultivated what he could, but off farm work, such as shearing, carting goods to the Goldfields, mail carrying and any other activity that would bring in a bit of money were his main source of income. Maggie, as well as raising her large brood, had chickens, ducks, cows, pigs, and sheep to look after when James was working away. She also had a large vegetable garden, a beautiful flower garden, and many fruit trees.
James and Maggie had a strong Catholic faith (no doubt due to their Irish/Spanish heritage. (Maggie's father Francisco Ventura, had arrived from Spain, and joined Bishop Salvado as a lay missionary at New Norcia in the 184os, before leaving the mission in 1856 and later marrying) From around 1900 Mass was celebrated monthly in the O’Brien’s sitting room. Father O'Hare and Father Flavan from the Walkaway-Greenough area took it in turn to travel to Kojarena. They would arrive on a Saturday afternoon, give religious instruction to the local children, spend the night at the little room at the O'Brien's (always referred to as the priest's room) and celebrate Mass on the Sunday morning. This was always followed by a hearty morning tea for all the parishioners.
This practice was to continue for 35 years! During these years, James and Maggie continued to dream of having a "little church" nearby. At every opportunity, Maggie would try to raise funds with this end in view. She held raffles, social evenings at the homestead where the local would gather and play Euchre and all contribute what they could for the "church fund". In 1934, Father John Hawes, who at that time was the Parish priest of Mullewa, was asked by Bishop O'Collins to draw up a set of plans for a simple chapel, for Kojarena. The O’Brien’s were delighted, and offered a small parcel of their farmland, adjacent to their home, on which to build their much anticipated "little church"
The Chapel was officially opened in 1935, after having been built by Arthur Osborne of Walkaway. He was assisted by Norm Bagley also of Walkaway. The stone was quarried locally, and carted to the site by volunteers, much of it on Con Culloton's truck. A large gathering attended the opening, all contributing to Maggie's "church fund".
By this time the chapel was under the supervision of the Northampton parish, and the visiting priest was Father James Irwin. Father John Hawes was heard to remark at the opening, that no wonder the chapel was named St. James, as the three men instrumental in its being were all named James. Bishop O'Collins, Father Irwin, and James O'Brien.
As the building was a "chapel of ease" (subordinate to a church, and designed for use as a church for outlying areas) it was able to be used for other occasions. The little building was used by the Bringo School on many end of year functions, as their school did not have a hall. There were regular dances held, with locals coming from far and wide on horseback, in buggies, and any way they could to join in the fun. Music was provided by locals on piano accordions. Bear in mind there was no electricity, so kero lamps provided the light. I am told that they would have two suppers, one about 11 pm and another at about 2 am before everyone wended their way home. The chapel was also in use for family birthday parties, and James and Maggie's Golden Wedding celebrations. Maggie however, continued her fund Raising efforts whenever the opportunity arose.

Mass was celebrated fortnightly in the chapel, and the visiting priest once more was made welcome, by Maggie. When he had to spend the night in the area, the small sacristy adjoining the chapel was used as a bedroom. Maggie would walk up the hill, carrying fresh linen to make up his bed. Following Mass all and sundry would go down once more to the O'Brien's homestead and partake of morning tea.

Unfortunately all this was to end when, in 1982, it was decided that owing to the shortage of priests and the availability of Masses in Geraldton the little chapel would close. The final Mass was said there on 14th March 1982.
During the ensuing years, the chapel fell into disrepair. Some of the roof had become dislodged allowing birds to take up residence. Termites had a field day, damaging floor boards, window frames, and doors. Rising damp was evident, and the fence surrounding the building was almost nonexistent, allowing animals to eat anything that grew around it.
During 2007, some members of the O'Brien family, who felt a strong attachment to the Church, decided enough was enough. They banded together, provided funds, expertise, and lots of energy into repairing the damage, to make the chapel something their grandparents would again be proud of.
In celebration of their efforts a Mass was said there with over 200 members of the extended family attending. It was decided to make this a yearly event, and planning is underway for the third anniversary Mass on the 3oth August 2009. This event now is open to all interested people.

Photo taken in 2007 provided by the O'Brien Family

History of the Saint James Chapel - provided bt the O'Brien family June 2009

For many years the simple little stone chapel, nestled into the hillside at Kojarena, presented a rather forlorn and neglected picture to the passerby. It was hard to imagine that it had once been the centre not only for the local Catholic community, but for the community at large.
During the late 1890s, James and Maggie O'Brien took up some of the first land in the Kojarena area to be farmed. They arrived from Greenough with their three small children and decided to make the area their home. A modest stone homestead was built, and the couple toiled in everyway they could to make a comfortable living for their ever-growing family. Another 8 children were to be born at the homestead (sadly two infants died), leaving a family of two daughters and seven sons. James cleared the farm, and cultivated what he could, but off farm work, such as shearing, carting goods to the Goldfields, mail carrying and any other activity that would bring in a bit of money were his main source of income. Maggie, as well as raising her large brood, had chickens, ducks, cows, pigs, and sheep to look after when James was working away. She also had a large vegetable garden, a beautiful flower garden, and many fruit trees.
James and Maggie had a strong Catholic faith (no doubt due to their Irish/Spanish heritage. (Maggie's father Francisco Ventura, had arrived from Spain, and joined Bishop Salvado as a lay missionary at New Norcia in the 184os, before leaving the mission in 1856 and later marrying) From around 1900 Mass was celebrated monthly in the O’Brien’s sitting room. Father O'Hare and Father Flavan from the Walkaway-Greenough area took it in turn to travel to Kojarena. They would arrive on a Saturday afternoon, give religious instruction to the local children, spend the night at the little room at the O'Brien's (always referred to as the priest's room) and celebrate Mass on the Sunday morning. This was always followed by a hearty morning tea for all the parishioners.
This practice was to continue for 35 years! During these years, James and Maggie continued to dream of having a "little church" nearby. At every opportunity, Maggie would try to raise funds with this end in view. She held raffles, social evenings at the homestead where the local would gather and play Euchre and all contribute what they could for the "church fund". In 1934, Father John Hawes, who at that time was the Parish priest of Mullewa, was asked by Bishop O'Collins to draw up a set of plans for a simple chapel, for Kojarena. The O’Brien’s were delighted, and offered a small parcel of their farmland, adjacent to their home, on which to build their much anticipated "little church"
The Chapel was officially opened in 1935, after having been built by Arthur Osborne of Walkaway. He was assisted by Norm Bagley also of Walkaway. The stone was quarried locally, and carted to the site by volunteers, much of it on Con Culloton's truck. A large gathering attended the opening, all contributing to Maggie's "church fund".
By this time the chapel was under the supervision of the Northampton parish, and the visiting priest was Father James Irwin. Father John Hawes was heard to remark at the opening, that no wonder the chapel was named St. James, as the three men instrumental in its being were all named James. Bishop O'Collins, Father Irwin, and James O'Brien.
As the building was a "chapel of ease" (subordinate to a church, and designed for use as a church for outlying areas) it was able to be used for other occasions. The little building was used by the Bringo School on many end of year functions, as their school did not have a hall. There were regular dances held, with locals coming from far and wide on horseback, in buggies, and any way they could to join in the fun. Music was provided by locals on piano accordions. Bear in mind there was no electricity, so kero lamps provided the light. I am told that they would have two suppers, one about 11 pm and another at about 2 am before everyone wended their way home. The chapel was also in use for family birthday parties, and James and Maggie's Golden Wedding celebrations. Maggie however, continued her fund Raising efforts whenever the opportunity arose.

Mass was celebrated fortnightly in the chapel, and the visiting priest once more was made welcome, by Maggie. When he had to spend the night in the area, the small sacristy adjoining the chapel was used as a bedroom. Maggie would walk up the hill, carrying fresh linen to make up his bed. Following Mass all and sundry would go down once more to the O'Brien's homestead and partake of morning tea.

Unfortunately all this was to end when, in 1982, it was decided that owing to the shortage of priests and the availability of Masses in Geraldton the little chapel would close. The final Mass was said there on 14th March 1982.
During the ensuing years, the chapel fell into disrepair. Some of the roof had become dislodged allowing birds to take up residence. Termites had a field day, damaging floor boards, window frames, and doors. Rising damp was evident, and the fence surrounding the building was almost nonexistent, allowing animals to eat anything that grew around it.
During 2007, some members of the O'Brien family, who felt a strong attachment to the Church, decided enough was enough. They banded together, provided funds, expertise, and lots of energy into repairing the damage, to make the chapel something their grandparents would again be proud of.
In celebration of their efforts a Mass was said there with over 200 members of the extended family attending. It was decided to make this a yearly event, and planning is underway for the third anniversary Mass on the 3oth August 2009. This event now is open to all interested people.