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LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE:
Archbishop Goold laid the foundation stone on the 26 th November, 1876. That he laid the stone is certain, that he laid it well is also certain, for no trace of it can been seen today.
Thirty-four children were confirmed on foundation day in an open-air ceremony – the only confirmation until Archbishop Little confirmed fifty- three young parishioners in the Mechanics Hall on Wednesday 18 th September, 1974. This was Archbishop Little’s first visit to Melton since it was constituted a Parish.
THE BEGINNING OF A CENTURY:
On Sunday 25 th February, 1877, Archbishop James Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, dedicated the newly built Church at Melton.
St. John Chrysostom’s was the name the Archbishop gave to the latest addition to his archdiocese. When and why the name was changed is not recorded; but by the 20 th March, 1897, “The Advocate” reported:
“Besides St. Bernards, there are three other Churches in the Parish, St. Dominick’s (Melton), St. Malachy’s (Blackwood) and St. Michael’s (Blackwood East)”
The cost of the building was Fourteen hundred pounds. A collection was taken up which realised sixty pounds and some four hundred tickets, at Seven shillings and sixpence, were sold.
The “Bacchus Marsh Express” thought that the Church:
“adds considerably to the appearance of Melton”.