> Stained glass window at All Saints Catholic Church
All Saints Catholic Church
"One great happiness I enjoy, is, I have charge of the Altar and the Lamp, and being able to go into the chapel at any time, where the Blessed Sacrament always is, is a precious favour indeed." —Mary MacKillop, 1864
The construction of All Saints Catholic Church began in 1857 and was completed in 1862 - the same year that Mary MacKillop arrived in Portland. Mary was closely involved in the life of the church; she worshipped here with her family and also became sacristan, accepting responsibility for the care of the church.
When Mary MacKillop was beatified on 19 January 1995, the parishioners installed a stained glass window at the southern end of the building in honour of the Australian saint who had lived and worked amongst the people of Portland.
The window depicts the young Mary teaching her beloved students beneath the Southern Cross. It was designed by local artist Terry Eichler and produced by the Portland Leadlighters Guild.