When Our Lady Star of the Sea became part of the North Sydney parish on 1st January 2002 it could be said that the wheel had come full circle. It was returning to its source of origin. Since 1856 there had been a church under the patronage of "Our Lady, Star of the Sea" at Ridge St North Sydney. When the Jesuits took over the parish in 1878, they saw the need for a church in Milson's Point to accommodate the growing numbers of parishioners there. They purchased the Congregational Church at Milson's Point, which went out of use in 1869. The new church was blessed by Archbishop Vaughan on 7th November 1880. It was given the name, "Our Lady, Star of the Sea". To avoid confusion, the church at Ridge St from then on was known as "St Mary's".
Then Chapel for St Aloysius College
In 1903 "Star of the Sea" became the chapel for St Aloysius College, which has just moved from Surry Hills into a large house next to the church. In 1940 extensive alterations were made to the church. A refurbished sanctuary and sacristies were built, the entrance and porch were moved to the northern end facing Pitt St. Further changes were carried in the early 1950s to bring the building into line with the modern trend towards simplicity in church furnishings, while at the same time drawing on present day materials and techniques.
Towards the end of the decade some people believed that neither the site nor the size of the church satisfied the requirements of the area. After 1965 "Star of the Sea" was no longer used for worship and parishioners were invited to attend the new college chapel at St Aloysius. But this arrangement proved unsatisfactory. Maybe they pined after their dearly loved little stone church. At any rate an ascent of twenty-six steps daunted the older and less agile parishioners.
New Church
Land was bought in Willoughby St, Milson's Point and a new church was built and it retained the name, "Our Lady, Star of the Sea". Cardinal Gilroy blessed and opened the church on the feast of St Aloysius 21st June 1970. It is post Vatican II in design and modern in style and structure.
The former "Star of the Sea", which the present one replaced, came to a sad end. It was demolished to make way for the further development of St Aloysius College, much to the chagrin and distress of many former parishioners and others.
Time charges on! Nevertheless, the present "Star" has established itself in the hearts of the Kirribilli parishioners. It is a place where all feel at home and where visitors are warmly welcomed and receive hospitality. Long may it flourish.