A piece of Sydney Catholic history has returned after 140 years, with the Blackfriars site at Broadway once again under Catholic ownership. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The University of Notre Dame Australia has purchased the historic, formerly Dominican, property adjoining St Benedict’s Broadway with a view to it becoming a Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services (SCECS) centre to create a future-focused education precinct.
Currently, the site houses tertiary facilities and an early childhood centre owned and operated by the University of Technology Sydney.
UNDA Chancellor Christopher Ellison said he was thrilled to acquire the property to see the University’s Sydney Campus continue to grow.
“By investing in the historic Blackfriars site, we can continue to grow the Sydney campus adjacent to St Benedict’s and with it, tertiary offerings at UNDA Sydney into the future. This will leave a legacy for generations of students to come,” Mr Ellison said.
SCECS CEO Franceyn O’Connor was pleased to be involved in the vision for the site, and with the opportunity to continue serving the local community.
“The current children’s service is a thriving community hub for families living and working in the city. SCECS looks forward to joining and enriching this community, working beside UNDA in providing a centre of excellence for professional learning in early childhood services,” Ms O’Connor said.
Originally owned by the Church, the land was compulsorily acquired in 1884 by the NSW Government to establish the public Blackfriars Primary School. The site evolved in the early 20th century to become the Sydney Teachers College, and eventually transferred to the University of Technology Sydney.
Sydney Auxiliary Bishop and tertiary liaison Bishop Richard Umbers, commended the acquisition as a prime example of the church’s commitment to education.
“For over 200 years, the Catholic Church has been the leading provider of education in Australia. The expansion of the University of Notre Dame Australia at Broadway, underscores the significance of education as an integral part of our ministry.”
FULL STORY
Blackfriars returns to church after 140 years (By Marcus Middleton, The Catholic Weekly)
