The story begins in the Parish of Wentworth, N.S.W. in 1865 when a priest from the Bathurst Diocese visited the area. History tells us that the first Mass was celebrated in the old Wentworth Hotel and the names of the Priests who came during that period were Fathers Duggan, McAuliffe and Chastignon.

In 1871, Fr Matthew Ryan was appointed the first Parish Priest of Wentworth and also in June of that same year Bishop Quinn travelled from Bathurst to lay the foundation stone for Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Wentworth. This was the first Catholic Church in the area.

Early in 1894, Fr Paul Zundolovich succeeded Fr O’Connell as Parish Priest at Wentworth. Fr Zundolovich was a Lithuaniun Jew who arrived in Australia in 1892 and he was known to be quite a colorful character in the area. Father’s attitude to Mildura’s future was the opposite to that of some of his predecessors and though, at the time local conditions were not at their best, he pictured a greater Mildura in which the Catholic Church must also be greater.

The Wentworth Parish played a significant role in the establishment and support of Mildura in the early days of settlement.