Christ the King, Taralga information 

The building of Saint Ignatius Church, Taralga (now a private residence), commenced in 1864 and was completed in 1865. Taralga was part of the Goulburn Parish until 1882, when it was taken into the Parish of  Crookwell and remained that way until 1923 when Christ the King Parish was established, including in it the village of Golspie.  The first Parish Priest was Father Austin O’Connor. 

The old convent and school were built around this time close to the church. This led to the arrival of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1885. The first sisters appointed were Srs. Teresa Fallon, Clare Gorman and Columba Maher.

The school, Presbytery and Convent, still   standing today, were built and opened in 1929. The buildings of Christ the King Church followed. The construction of the present-day church commenced with the laying of the foundation stone on 25th March 1934. The church was blessed and officially opened by Bishop Barry DD, on the Feast of Christ the King, 28th October 1934 – all in 6 months.

 The striking, terracotta cartwheel style ‘Rose Window’ (pictured below) is set high above the church porch. The center depicts the   Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, burning with love and compassion for humanity. It was brought to Taralga by rail embedded in a tray of sand.  Upon arrival, it was transported to the church and assembled.

The designer for the Church was Sydney Smith of Ogg & Serpell, Melbourne. The Architectural drawings were completed by Clement Glancey, Sydney. The Church was constructed by RM Bowcock of Ashfield, Sydney. The Church is an example of Celtic Romanesque style.

The windows depicting Christ the King, St. Patrick, St. Therese of Lisieux and Our Lady Help of Christians were made by Percy Barnard of Standard Glass Company. The windows of Pius X, and St. Maria Goretti were made by Mark B Hill and D Terry.                 

 There have been numerous additions to the church following the formal completion of    construction. The main altar is the centerpiece of Christ the King Church. It was not until after World War II and during the pastorate of Father Matthew Bugler that the Altar Reredos and Pulpit were put in place about 1949. The marble was quarried at Wombeyan, is of a cream grain and is called 'Wombeyan Rose'.

 After the liturgical changes of Vatican II, the altar facing the people was added. The marble was also quarried at Wombeyan. Only a small quantity of the marble used in the Sanctuary was mined. The same marble can be seen on the tomb of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop in Mount Street, North Sydney.