Our Lady of Fatima Church – Nanson
In the late 1930s there were a significant number of Catholic school-aged children living in the Nanson locale to warrant consideration of a school. In 1936, Reserve 21544 was gazetted as a Reserve and vested in the Geraldton Diocese.
In early 1938, renowned Priest-Architect Monsignor John Hawes drew up plans for a school building, and the foundation stone for the building was laid by the then Bishop of Geraldton, James Patrick O’Collins, on Sunday 13 November 1938. The stone school building was constructed by builder Enrico (‘Henry’) Boschetti for approximately 650 pounds. The building was officially blessed and opened by Dr J.P. O’Collins on 29 January 1939. Three Presentation Sisters from the Northampton Convent arrived to live in the adjacent Convent and teach at the new school.
In the early 1950s, the Nanson school was modified for use as a church, with the sympathetic addition of a sanctuary and sacristy extending out from the western facade, designed by Summerhayes & Associates. When classes were held, the church seating was converted into desks and then changed back again for Sunday Mass.
Behind the Church is the convent chapel which was also built to a design by Hawes. A simple square building of local stone, it is now a private home and can only be viewed from the church.
Approximately 30-40 students attended the school at this time. Following a decline in the local population the Presentation Sisters were forced into closing the school in 1965. The church is still used on a regular basis with services conducted by the Geraldton priest.
Source: Chapman Valley Heritage Trail
Municipal Inventory of Heritage Places