Original Monastery

The history of the old building now occupied by the Passionist Fathers at Glen Osmond dates back to the early days of settlement in South Australia. It is to be demolished and superseded by a new church and monastery united, and the work will begin at an early date. In 1840 the site of the old building was under cultivation by Mr. Arthur Hardy, who had one of the first vineyards established in the State. He sold 16 acres of the land to Mr. J.B. Montifiore, who named it "The Glen" and built a house in oriental style, planting the

garden with trees and shrubs most of which are still existing, including the famous old Moreton Bay fig tree. The property was considered in those days to be one of the most beautiful in the State. In 1853 Mr. J.S. Boldero, a retired Indian judge, occupied the house, and during his two years of residence he added to the beautiful features of the house and grounds. Then Mr. Justice Boothby took it and lived there until his death in 1868. Mr. Guy Boothby, the novelist, a nephew of the judge, was born there, and his name is inscribed in several places on

the walls, and on the low ceiling of one of the rooms. The Passionist Fathers took possession of the property from Miss Boothby, a sister of the judge, in 1896, and since then the place has been a Passionist Monastery, named after the founder of the Order, St. Paul of the Cross. For many years the monastery garden has been the scene of the largest annual religious celebration in the State, over 10,000 people attending the one held in October last.

The old well-known monastery dating back to the early days of settlement in South Australia, was condemned several years ago as unfit for habitation owing to serious damp, dilapidation through age, and the danger of collapse. The Passionist Fathers, compelled to remain in residence are now faced with the unavoidably and costly erection of a new monastery. Your assistance is earnestly solicited. The smallest donation will be gratefully received. N.B. — Benefactors, during life and after death share in the good works, special prayers and Masses of the Passionist Congregation throughout the world.