In the days after the World War II migrant families left war-torn homelands in Europe to settle in Australia. Many came to Bankstown area and the population in 1954 was soon in excess of 102,000. It became apparent that a Catholic Church was needed to cater for this influx as being a Catholic meant worshipping at Lakemba, Punchbowl and Bankstown.
1954
Fr Lawrence Corridon, Parish Priest of St Felix Bankstown gave permission to purchase a three and a half block of land at the corner bounded by Rawson Road, Pandora and Tempe Streets and plans were then put in place for the building of a Church/School and a new Parish was underway.
1956
The official opening of the new Church/School of St John Vianney took place on Sunday 29th April 1956 with Fr Thomas Berkery as Parish Priest.
1968
Fr Thomas Berkery was replaced by Fr Leo Walsh and plans were made for a new Church for a fast-growing parish.
1971
Fr Walsh died and was replaced by Fr Joseph Croal Parish Priest. He had a special devotion to St Thomas More and when the new Church was opened and blessed by Cardinal Freeman on 3rd November 1974 Saint Thomas Moore was added to the Parish name, but not to the school.
1976
Fr Leo Murphy was appointed Parish Priest and in 1981 the Parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a special Mass.
1983
Fr Kevin English was appointed Parish Priest. His forte was bible study and singing. He was well known for his prayer meetings, and healing which attracted many from outside the Parish. Fr English contracted a terminal illness and died on 14th February 2002.
2003
Fr Terrence Millard became Administrator and soon after as Parish Priest. It was a popular appointment having been a local boy coming home.
2006
The parish celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
2014
From October the Parish has had Administrators. Fr Maurice Thompson was the first, followed by Fr Colin Mason and then from 1st September 2015 by Fr Xiang Feng.
2018
Fr Xiang Feng went to military chaplaincy service and for a few months this parish has hosted Fr Graham Mc Intyre. On the 1st of December 2018 Fr Pasquale Pizzoferro was appointed Parish Administrator for a term of one year.
2019
Fr Pasquale Pizzoferro’s term was renewed for a period of 3 years.
2020
This was a unique year for our Parish, community and the world. On 1st February 2020 a massive storm caused a pine tree to fall down onto the Parish grounds. Luckily no one was hurt. Also, during this year Covid 19 appeared causing distress and uncertainty in the life of the parish, community and the world. We took advantage during lockdown to improve the church grounds and buildings.
