The foundation stone of St Anthony of Padua was laid on September26th 1869 and the first service was held just after Easter the following year. The land was donated by a local farmer, Michael Kelly with services prior to this were held in a barn on the nearby property owned by Michael Buckley.

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A school had been thriving across the road for several years prior to the church being built and a presbytery was added in 1872. In 1875 Mary Mackillop Sisters took over the school and a convent was built for them to live in. They left around 1895.

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The school and the convent were later closed and removed the presbytery was closed in 1957 and removed to the ES&A bank in Saddleworth. The presbytery ruins were purchased by John and Deirdre McInerney in 1976 and restored to a family home.

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Originally served by the Jesuits from Sevenhill the parish was handed over to the Adelaide archdiocese in 1890 along with Saddleworth and Auburn and Undayla.

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Farrell’s Flat as it was then called was added later. Although it was always known as the Manoora Parish up until it amalgamated with Riverton in 1975.

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In 2000 the Riverton/Manoora Parish came to be serviced sacramentally by the Jesuits from Sevenhill so for St Anthony’s a full circle has turned.

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The Church boasts a magnificent stained-glass window made by Edward Brooks and one made by his son, renowned maker William Brooks, commemorating Fr Edmund O’Brien the first native born SA priest and a former parishioner raised in Manoora.

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Parishioners also donated funds for a magnificent memorial over his grave in the attached cemetery.

St Anthony’s was extensively renovated in the 1960’s with a feature altar designed by Tony Griffin a former parishioner and dressed stone at the back of the Chancel from local stone.

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The Church is still cared for by local families and Mass is offered every 2nd month.