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THE FIRST CATHOLICS:
Of the fourteen Catholics (out of a population of one hundred and twelve) recorded in the 1841 Census of Bourke in an area extending from the Upper Werribee to Penny Royal Creek (Melton) only two were named, W. and G. Pike of Penny Royal Creek.
The two brothers, reckoned as being Melton’s first settlers, settled in 1838. They both died in Melton and their graves surmounted by headstones are on the Toolern Creek.
THE LAND:
In 1855, a combined Protestant Church Committee was formed and began to hold services in the common school. About this time Fr. O’Connell, Parish Priest of Bacchus Marsh, began to see the need for a Church at Melton.
In the Land Department Files of 1861 there is an application by Dr. Fitzpatrick V.G. for: “two acres in the township, and also that Bishop Goold, Rev. E. O’Connell, Thomas Ryan, Michael Bourke and Michael Brady be appointed as trustees”.
The application was granted and the Government Gazette of 28 th May, 1861,records:
“Lands temporarily reserved from Sale …… for the purpose specified ….. In Melton township Parish of Djerriwarrh and County of Bourke for Roman Catholic Church, Parsonage and School Purposes…..”
The Church was built in 1877, the “Parsonage” in September, 1973 and the School in 1976>
Further purchases of land were made in Station Road (six acres) and Melton South (six acres) in the late 50’s.