SYDNEY'S oldest priest, Father Frank Martin, 98, of Cronulla, has received a Papal Honour for his work with the church and the community.
Father Frank, who turns 99 on October 24, has been a priest for 75 years and is believed to be Australia's oldest priest.
He received the Papal Honour, the Croce pro Ecclesia et Pontifice or "The Cross, for the Church and for the Holy Father" last week and is one of a select few to receive the honour.
He is particularly noted for his work in the East Granville Parish of the Sydney Diocese.
"There was nothing there when he arrived and he really built a great church property," Catholic Church spokesman Mike Bailey said.
"This happened with the push west for the church as the population of Sydney also moved west in the post-war baby boom."
Bishop Terry Brady presented Father Frank with his honour in the presence of family and friends, including his brother John, 97.
Monsignor Brian Rayner, a former altar boy in Father Frank's parish, also attended the ceremony and spoke about their 50-year association.
"He was a wonderful, tireless worker and ran the most successful development in the diocese at the East Granville parish," Monsignor Rayner said. "Before he arrived there was only a presbytery.
"He built a new church, schools, a convent and a hall.
"He was probably one of the first people to build a Catholic Youth Centre.
"His care for the people was unbelievable."
Father Frank was born at St Margaret's Hospital, Darlinghurst, on October 24, 1916, and grew up in inner Sydney.
He began his studies that would lead to the priesthood at 15 and was ordained on July 25, 1940, by then Archbishop Norman Gilroy, who became the first Australian-born Cardinal.
He served as a priest in Tasmania for three years before returning to Sydney. He worked in the parishes of Daceyville, Camperdown, Penshurst, Enfield, Concord, Lawson, East Granville and Flemington.
He retired from his full-time ministry in 1981 but filled in at Woollahra and Parramatta.
He now resides ar Stella Maris Aged Care, Cronulla.
