The museum and heritage precinct telling the story of St Mary MacKillop, who founded her first school for all children in Penola in 1866.
The birthplace of a saint
It was in Penola that Mary MacKillop - canonised in 2010 as Australia's first saint - met Father Julian Tenison Woods and, in 1866, opened a school welcoming children of every background. Together they founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The Mary MacKillop Penola Centre preserves the original Woods-MacKillop Schoolhouse and an interpretive museum tracing her life, work and legacy.
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Last verified 8 August 2026 · source: Mary MacKillop Penola Centre (official site)
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Mary MacKillop Penola Centre - frequently asked questions
Who was Mary MacKillop?
Mary MacKillop, also known as St Mary of the Cross, was an Australian nun who co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. In 2010 she became Australia's first canonised saint. She began her work in education in Penola.
What is the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre?
The Mary MacKillop Penola Centre marks the place where Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods founded the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866. It includes an interpretive centre, the historic Schoolhouse and St Joseph's Church, telling the story of her life and work.
When did Mary MacKillop start her school in Penola?
Mary MacKillop opened her first school in Penola in 1866, the same year she and Julian Tenison Woods founded the Sisters of St Joseph, an order dedicated to educating poor and rural children.
Sources
- Mary MacKillop Penola Centre (official site) (accessed August 2026)
- South Australia Tourism (southaustralia.com) (accessed August 2026)
Image credits
- Dates Mary MacKillop.jpg by Pru.mitchell , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons