Kelso's former Opal Aged Care building, which is being transformed into offices for Housing Plus, and will also provide emergency accommodation for those in need, was officially named 'John Therry House' on Thursday, after Catholic priest Father John Therry.

Father John Joseph Therry (1790-1864) was a Catholic priest and advocate for the forgotten, including the Aboriginal people, in the Australian colonies from 1820 until his death.

In November 1830, he celebrated the first Mass in this region, at the Golden Fleece Inn at Kelso.

Previously, the facility was occupied and managed by Opal Aged Care. The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst purchased the property in late 2019.

Catholic Bishop of Bathurst, the Most Reverend Michael McKenna, said the decision to purchase the building was made after witnessing the success of similar projects within the Bathurst community.

"There is an obvious need in the community for emergency accommodation and services to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community can have a meal provided, temporary accommodation when needed, and access to social services," he said.

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The Diocese has since entered into a lease agreement with Housing Plus to manage and operate the premises.

The new Housing Plus office will contain meeting, conference and event facilities for up to 60 people. Housing Plus will also relocate its existing Bathurst-based community services to the centre.

These include tenancy and maintenance services and its training and employment program -Opportunity Pathways, which supports social housing clients to access practical and financial assistance, training and work opportunities to help them prepare for employment, find a job, work more hours or improve their employment options.

The Bathurst and Lithgow Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from John Therry House.

Housing Plus is currently waiting on a development application to be approved by Bathurst Regional, though it is expected the Housing Plus offices will be operating from the premises later this year.

Blessing the facility on Thursday, Bishop McKenna quoted Australia's first Saint Mary MacKillop saying "never see a need without doing something about it."

He said in a world full of problems you can't fix it all immediately, but it was important people do what they can.