St Francis Xavier Cathedral

The Cathedral is dedicated to the great 16th century Spanish Jesuit missionary saint who is also a patron of the Church in Australia and patron of our first bishop Francis Murphy (1844-58). Initial construction began in 1851 and there have been various phases of activity leading to the installation of the tower in 1996. The building of the Cathedral began in 1851, making it the oldest cathedral in Australia. The tower was not completed until 1996 – 145 years almost to the day after workers had dug the first sod for the beginning of work on the Cathedral site.

The Cathedral is usually a busy place with several daily Masses, Rosary and confessions as well as weddings, baptisms and funerals. It is both a Cathedral and a parish church, so there are usually many diocesan and parish events held here.