In July more than 100 people attended celebrations at the church to give thanks and to commemorate the laying of the Foundation Stone and the contribution of those that had worshipped in the community for the past 100 century.

The celebrations were organised by the dedicated committee of Peter Beltran, Sylvia Busine, Mary Fleming, Alan Fleming, Philip Hargraves, Helen Naef, Neville Norwood, Lyndal O'Leary, Paul O'Leary, Molly Scifleet and Lesley Sauls.

The book, written and published by Pauline Kuhner, includes contributions from past and present congregation members.

The people of Mendooran (then known as Mundooran) and surrounding districts gathered in Cobra Street on July 15, 1914.

They witnessed Bishop Dunne leading the ceremony at the laying of the Foundation Stone for St Mary's Catholic Church. The local Catholic congregation expected they would soon have a dedicated Church.

But barely three weeks later England declared war on Germany and Australia had pledged its support to provide troops. Like many small rural communities the people from the district channelled their full support behind the young men who left to fight in the Great War.

The names of 44 men from the Mendooran-Merrygoen district are listed on the honour Roll that hangs in the Mendooran Hall and the local cenotaph lists the names of eight servicemen who died serving their country.

With a shortage of building materials and the impact of the war effort, construction was delayed for the next three years and St Mary's Catholic Church was finally completed in May 1917.

On October 14, 1917 the Church was blessed by the Very Reverend Fr Kennedy with more than 500 people in attendance.

In his foreword for the book, Fr Carl Mackander, Parish Priest of Dunedoo/Coolah, said: "It is important for us to remember with gratitude and amazement the generosity and resilience of the pioneers of the Mendooran district: 'gratitude is the memory of the heart', wrote the famous Australian St Mary of the Cross MacKillop".

The book's author Pauline Kuhner (nee McDonald), has copies available for sale at $15 each or $20 including packing and postage in Australia.

Pauline can be contacted on 0427 541 467 or pmkuhner@gmail.com.