History

Arrowtown

Mary MacKillop accompanied the three founding Sisters to Arrowtown in 1897. Their home and school was in a house still standing today and lovingly restored by the local community.

Arrowtown remained for many years the southernmost outpost of the Congregation. The rigours of the climate and the isolation made a "destination" to Arrowtown a daunting prospect, but rarely if ever, did one hear of Arrowtown spoken with anything other than affection.

Built of schist stone and mud mortar circa 1870 the house was originally a miner's cottage.Purchased by the Church it was made part of the school in 1882. Mary MacKillop had the cottage, along with part of the school, converted to a convent in 1898 while she was living in Arrowtown. Later the building reverted back to being a schoolroom then a garage and storeroom. It was restored to its 1898 period in 1993 in preparation for Mary MacKillop's Beatification.

Beatification Celebration in Arrowtown

"Such an entry as we made into the pretty town! Father Keenan and Father O'Donnell leading the way in the former's buggy - the four of us in a large double buggy driven by Mr Murray, followed by the other buggies and riders."Mary MacKillop October 1897

In March 1995 a large crowd gathered for the re-enactment of the Sisters arrival in Arrowtown. Sisters came on pilgrimage from all over New Zealand and Australia and were joined by local dignitaries, including Bishop Boyle of Dunedin, Associates and the local community.