'A tense, musty, unignorable silence' 1

Philip Larkin - Church Going

Once I am sure there's nothing going on

I step inside, letting the door thud shut.

Another church: matting, seats, and stone,

And little books; sprawlings of flowers, cut

For Sunday, brownish now; some brass and stuff

Up at the holy end; the small neat organ;

And a tense, musty, unignorable silence,

Brewed God knows how long. Hatless, I take off

My cycle-clips in awkward reverence.

St Malachys Catholic Church

Wasleys Road, Mallala, SA. 5502

St. Malachys Catholic Church, located on the corner of Wasleys Road and Elizabeth Street, was opened on the 9th. November 1882 and consecrated by Bishop Reynolds.

The stone for the building was carted by Mr. H.A.Judd.The building was enlarged in 1913 to accommodate the growing congregation and the renovations improved the appearance of the church.

All the church windows are dedicated to the memory of the pioneers of the congregation.The furnishings carry plaques naming the donors.The building is well painted and is in an area of shrubs and trees. The property was enhanced when the fence was renewed, and the retaining of the original gates is significant in recognising the wonderful history of the building.