By Jeremy Sollars
A long-forgotten photograph of the man who was the prime mover behind the construction of the landmark St Mary’s Catholic Church in Warwick has finally come back home – thanks to a chance find in a Stanthorpe second-hand shop.
Stanthorpe photographer Sandra McEwan was on the hunt in recent weeks for old photo frames to use in an upcoming exhibition of her work, and one of the frames she picked up for a song had a surprise in store when she pulled it apart at home.
Hidden inside the frame was a photograph depicting the investiture of Monsignor Michael Potter in Warwick in June 1923 – an event of some significance at the time – but the original possessor of the photograph, whoever they were, had seen fit to flip it around to use as a piece of backing board for a calendar which they then displayed in the frame.
St Mary’s Parish priest Father Franco Filipetto joked that the photo’s use was an innovative form of “re-using and recycling” back in those days, but he’s pleased the historic image has come back to the parish, after Sandra kindly donated it this week.
The find has come to light 160 years – almost to the day – since Monsignor Potter’s birth in Ireland, on 8 January 1857.
“I got quite a surprise when I pulled it out of the frame and realised it had historic significance,” Sandra told the Free Times.
“Unfortunately, it has some damage from silverfish – but I felt it was important it be returned to the parish for their historic collection.”
It is believed to be the only surviving photograph of Monsignor Potter’s investiture.
The popular Monsignor Potter was the driving force behind the construction of St Mary’s Church – Fr Filipetto said at 40,000 pounds it had been his “most ambitious project” during his years in the Warwick Catholic Parish.
Monsignor Michael Potter was born at Cloontagh County Longford in Ireland, one of a family of three boys and three girls. Both his parents had been teachers and he followed in their footsteps.
At the age of 20, he resigned his teaching position and followed in his sister’s footsteps. His sister Mother M. Patrick came to Queensland in 1867.
At the invitation of Bishop James O’Quinn he commenced his studies for the priesthood at St Kilian’s College at South Brisbane. He continued his studies at St Stanislaus College and St Charles Seminary at Bathurst. On the recommendation of Archbishop Dunne he returned to Ireland to conclude his studies at All Hallows Dublin and was ordained on 19 June 1887.
When he returned he was appointed assistant priest to Dean Andrew Horan at Ipswich. In 1891 he was transferred to Warwick as assistant to Father James Horan. On the death of Father James Horan, he was appointed parish priest of Warwick. He was to remain in Warwick until his death on 1 February 1944, at the age of 87.
As well as driving the construction of the ‘new’ St Mary’s, his other achievements included the establishment of the Catholic Young Men’s Society and the construction of the hall in Wood Street.
He was also responsible for the establishment of St Joseph’s Christian Brothers College opened in 1912.
Back in safe hands …
Fr Filipetto said the fragile nature of the photograph meant it would be safely stored in the Fr Joe McKey Archives/Museum.
He said repairs to the roof of St Mary’s Church following an apparent lightning strike on Monday 2 January would soon proceed, following insurance and heritage assessments.
Fire took hold in the roof of the church that afternoon – above the grave of Fr Horan – but firefighters worked swiftly to contain the damage to the roof space.
Sandra McEwan has been specialising in photos of historic buildings and farming properties in the region – the reason she was looking for old photo frames in the first place.
Sandra and Stanthorpe sculptress Helen Turrisi will hold an exhibition of their respective works entitled ‘Whispering Land’ at the Stanthorpe Art Gallery in October 2018.
