Our Lady of the Rosary Church at The Entrance celebrates its centenary this year and has a new commemorative door to mark the occasion.
Although The Entrance Parish only started in 1947, the first Our Lady of the Rosary church was constructed while the region was still in the parish of Wyong back in 1925.
This church was to serve the needs of the much smaller community for the next 37 years before it was torn down and the much larger and grander Our Lady of the Rosary Church was opened in 1962.
The Entrance district did not start to develop until about 1915, but soon became a regular holiday destination, particularly in the Summer months with a series of guest houses.
Many of these tourists originally took a ferry from Wyong railway station up the Wyong River and then across Tuggerah Lake.
The Wyong priest would come every few weeks to celebrate mass and by 1947 the area had grown to the extent that it officially became a new parish.
In the 78 years since, it has had only five Parish Priests with Fr Brian Moloney beginning his time at the parish in early 2022.
“When the new church was constructed under the leadership of Fr Reg Reynolds, each of the church doors had etchings on them,” a spokesperson said.
“A good number of years ago one of these doors was damaged and the decision was made to replace it with clear glass.
“With the centenary of the first church being this year, it was decided to replace the clear glass with a commemorative etching honouring the two churches and the many parishioners and visitors who have been part of the congregations over all those years.
“We are fortunate to have two parishioners who were also born 100 years ago in 1925 – Daphne Parsons and Vince O’Sullivan.
“They did the honours in unveiling the new commemorative door during the Saturday Vigil Mass on March 1.
“This door will now remind the congregation of today and in the future of the rich history of the two churches of Our Lady of the Rosary The Entrance.
