St Finbar - The History

The patron saint of our Parish is St. Finbar (Finbarr) whose feast is celebrated on 25 September. Finbar's birth is given as 570AD and Muskerry, Cork, Ireland given as the birthplace. The country at this time was undergoing great expansion, especially of Christian churches and monasteries. Finbar founded the See of Cork and as a result was made a Bishop.

Finbar worked hard among the people to spread the faith.

It is thought that St. Finbar began his monastic life on a little island in the lake of Gougane Barra. As well as a monastery, Finbar established a "great school of learning" which continues even to this day. St Finbar died in 630AD and he is buried within the enclosure of the monastery he established.

The beginnings of Glenbrook Parish are closely associated with the building of the railway through Glenbrook Gorge in 1911. The many workers living at the Bluff at the time wanted a Catholic school for their children and a church for the celebration of Sunday Mass.

The church was built by Father Thomas Barlow, Parish Priest of Penrith, who was probably responsible for the naming of the church. The church was blessed and opened in August 1912 for dual purpose as a school and it was named St. Finbar. The Sisters of St. Joseph taught school during the week and resided in a cottage lent by a parishioner.

The present church was consecrated on 7 May, 1995.