St Columba's Riverton School
Record Group
Identifier: A0442
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1913 - 1954
St Columba's Riverton School
In 1913 six nuns from the Order of Sisters of Mercy in Dunedin opened a school and convent in Riverton. At the official opening on the 2nd of February there was a mass held, then a procession to the new school led by the Invercargill Hibernian Band.
Since 1859 there was a strong influence of the Presbyterian Church in Riverton and it wasn't until the area became more diverse that the first Catholic Church was built (St Columbkille - the Celtic version of St. Columba's) in 1877. The Catholic community in Southland grew, with congregations establishing in Wrey's Bush and Winton.
Father Murphy (known for his gruff demenaor but also his skill with a soccerball) was the first parish priest at the school, which drew pupils from several schools in the district. During the second year a dormitory for boarders was established for students who travelled in from afar. Some student's though still travelled large distances each day - an 8.00am train from Otautau and a 6pm one to return, or a 7pm return for Orepuki.
The school building was wooden, with two rooms and averaged about 85 students. It closed in 1966.
See Bibliography for References
Since 1859 there was a strong influence of the Presbyterian Church in Riverton and it wasn't until the area became more diverse that the first Catholic Church was built (St Columbkille - the Celtic version of St. Columba's) in 1877. The Catholic community in Southland grew, with congregations establishing in Wrey's Bush and Winton.
Father Murphy (known for his gruff demenaor but also his skill with a soccerball) was the first parish priest at the school, which drew pupils from several schools in the district. During the second year a dormitory for boarders was established for students who travelled in from afar. Some student's though still travelled large distances each day - an 8.00am train from Otautau and a 6pm one to return, or a 7pm return for Orepuki.
The school building was wooden, with two rooms and averaged about 85 students. It closed in 1966.
See Bibliography for References
Extent
1 box(es) (Box 1 Note:Boxed with St Columba's Nightcaps School)
Language of Materials
English
Bibliography
'Pieces of Chalk : history of Riverotn District Schools' by George Perkins.
Reference: LC 371.009 PER
Reference: LC 371.009 PER
- Title
- St Columba's Riverton School
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
