 St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral is the seat of the cardinal-archbishop of Sydney, currently George Pell. Of Gothic architecture, it is situated in the heart of the city of Sydney
History
Saint Mary’s was the first Catholic Cathedral built in Australia. The founder was Fr. John Joseph Therry who, after arrival, quickly looked for a site to build a church. The site given to him eventually turned into one of the most prominent areas in the city, situated around the grounds of Hyde Park and visible from most areas of the city.
The foundation stone of the first cathedral was laid on October 29th, 1821 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. The cathedral was built in the Gothic style which was the favourite style of the day. In 1851, it was modified according to the plans of the architect Augustus Pugin. But on June 29th, 1865, the cathedral caught fire and was destroyed.
Construction
As quickly as possible, a collection was started by the archdeacon, Rev. Father McEnroe, to rebuild the burnt cathedral. A wooden temporary church was built, but also burned down in 1869.
John Polding, who had been made Archbishop of Sydney in 1835, wrote to William Wilkinson Wardel, a pupil of the famous Gothic Revivial architect Augusutus Pugin. Most Rev. Polding wrote "Any style, any plan (shot), anything if it is beautiful and grand, to the extent of our power." Archbishop Polding laid the first stone of this second cathedral in 1868. The nave, begun in 1913, was finished in 1928. The internal decoration still continued until 1968.
Between 1998 and 2000, to mark the entrance to the new millennium, arrows initially drawn by Wardell were finally built, bringing the cathedral to the state which we know today.
The St Mary's Cathedral is different to most Cathedrals around the world as it is orientated North-South as opposed to the usual East-West orientaion.
In every other aspect, the cathedral is in all respects similar to the Gothic churches that were built in Europe, with a general plan in the form of cross, and two big symmetrical towers on both sides of the main door
The Pope will come to St Mary's Cathedral to celebrate Holy Mass and bless the new altar during World Youth Day 2008.
Image courtesy of teamaskins, Flickr.
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