[3] In 1946, land was purchased at 139 Barolin Street (24°53′06″S 152°21′21″E / 24.8851°S 152.3558°E / -24.8851; 152.3558 (28 July 2020)) to build a Catholic church and school.

St Mary's Catholic Church was blessed and opened on 9 December 1951 by Bishop Andrew Tynan.

On Tuesday 11 February 2020, the church was destroyed by a fire, believed to be arson.

Designed by Cook & Kerrison, the timber church was built in 1949.

[7][8] Walkervale State School opened on 24 January 1955.