Rupanyup is a small farming community located 45 km east of Horsham.  The Catholic Church at Rupanyup began in 1873 with the arrival of the Murphy family and later the Jess family – still names that are in the region to this day.  Eventually a church was built in 1912.

Over the years, it was an active community with Church Balls in the 1950’s, the Catholic Young Men’s Society and involvement in the Rupanyup Inter Church Council.  There was also a Catholic Women’s Social Guild, which became the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). They had some very successful Irish Nights held near to St Patrick’s Day.  The Guild also entertained and served afternoon tea to the residents at the local Stonehaven nursing home.  Over the years, the Rupanyup special ministers administered communion the residents at Stonehaven and occasionally held a Mass for them.

In January 2009, due to many factors, including the aged church building, the Rupanyup community started meeting monthly on a weeknight at a parishioner’s house for Mass and a shared meal together.

The Centenary of St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Rupanyup was celebrated in May 2012. “The Living Faith”, a book put together by Carmel Dunstone was published at this time.  It serves as a dedication to all those families who had attended and been involved in the church from 1912-2012, as well as the priests of Horsham Parish who ministered to them.

Soon after the Centenary celebrations, the Church was deconsecrated.  Today, the “Home Masses” which began in 2009 have continued and are a lovely way to celebrate the Eucharist locally as well as including an opportunity to share some amazing food and a social interaction with our Priests who travel to Rupanyup.

Priest’s and Religious who have come from Rupanyup are Fr John Murphy, Fr Peter Murphy, Brother Joachim, Fr Leo Tellefson, Fr Patrick Negri and Fr Francis Pidgeon.