The first Balgownie church was erected in 1908 and it seated 120 people. This church – along with the old School of Arts in Elliotts Road and the old Council Chambers on the Princes Highway - served the people of Balgownie and Fairy Meadow until Fairy Meadow was established as a parish in 1947-2021.
Today, Mater Dolorosa is part of the Lumen Christi Parish, established by Bishop Brian Mascord in January 2022. Lumen Christi Parish includes the four worshiping communities of:
- St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong
- St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow
- Mater Dolorosa Church, Balgownie
- St Brigid's Church, Gwynneville
