St Patrick's Catholic Church

R idgeway is situated on the side of 'kunanyi' Mount Wellington about 8 kms from Hobart.

For many years the Catholic priest would visit from Brown's River (Kingston) to say Mass, or the city if none was available.

St Patrick's Catholic Church was opened by the Archdeacon of Hobart the Most Rev. Dr. William Hayden on the 17th February 1935. In 1868 Father Hennebry visited a small congregation in the area stating he looked forward to the day when a church would be built in their midst. Mr. George Tagg remembered and honoured the tradition when the church be named and dedicated to St Patrick.

The building cost £430, some funds were left over this provided for some furnishings. The Tagg family were given credit for collecting the church building funds and donated a 'beautiful chancel window' in memory of the late Mr. J. Tagg. The deeds to the property were presented to the Archdeacon by Mr. George Tagg.

On Tuesday 7th February 1967, 110 separate fires ravaged south-east Tasmania killing 62 people, injuring 900 and destroying 7,500 buildings; St Patrick's Catholic church was one of many lost that day.