St Mary MacKillop display unveiled at Port Chalmers

The gathering of friends, family, Church dignitaries and long-standing project supporters at St Mary Star of the Sea Church witnessed the unveiling of a cabinet filled with research and artefacts relating to the Port Chalmers connections of St Mary MacKillop. 

The co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, St Mary MacKillop spent several months in Port Chalmers in 1898 establishing St Joseph’s School. 

Carol Meikle from Port Chalmers has spent thousands of hours researching the area’s links with the saint. While undertaking her research, Mrs Meikle broadened her extensive knowledge of the local church and the wider history of Port Chalmers and has made connections all over the world.

She also gathered a large collection of relics and historic items associated with St Mary MacKillop from her time at Port Chalmers.

These include a historic silver kettle, a portrait of the saint by artist Margaret-Ann Howard, a doll created by Jan McLean and the Koputai Pilgrim Church Stone, which had been blessed by the Pope.

The Sisters of St Joseph have also donated items from the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop in 2010. 

Speaking to the gathering on October 17, Mrs Meikle said it was wonderful that the “beautiful historic cabinet is now the final resting place for these unique historic items and research”. The collection is titled “Saint Mary MacKillop at Port Chalmers”.

The cabinet, which had been relocated from the former Kensington Army Hall with the support of Graeme Harvey, was installed in the church with the help of volunteers from the Dunedin North Shed.

The October 17 event was a “celebration of our parish and community’s history and unity”, Mrs Meikle said. “It stands as a reminder that when a community comes together with a common purpose, remarkable things can be achieved.”

Mrs Meikle is now looking for volunteers to help with opening the church by appointment, so that visitors can view the collection.

FULL STORY

Collection shines light on Saint’s Port Chalmers connections (By Brenda Harwood/The Star)