Following the move from
Old Toodyay to Newcastle, Father Francis Salvado called for tenders to build a new Catholic chapel to replace the
Sancta Maria of Old Toodyay. The foundation stone of the Catholic Church of St John the Baptist was laid in January 1863 by Father
Martin Griver. He was assisted by Fr Francis Salvado, the Parish priest, and Fr Venanzio Garrido from the New Norcia mission. By Christmas 1864, the church was completed and had been blessed. The church's
transept was used for a time as a school room for Catholic children until 1884 when the Sisters of Mercy came to Toodyay. In 1920, the west wing was added. In 1963, a
new church with the same name was completed, next to St Aloysius (in the Catholic Precinct grounds), and the older church was de-consecrated and sold into private ownership. == References ==