St Mary s Cathedral
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Sunday · All day
Carols at the Cathedral
Tuesday · All day
Why go
- The world’s largest 19th-century ecclesiastical building in the English Gothic style.
- The site is Australia’s oldest place still used for Catholic worship.
- Front spires rising 74.6 metres, making it Australia’s fourth-tallest church.
- Three large rose windows.
Opening hours
Today06:30 – 19:00Show all
Don't miss
- Stained-glass windowsAbout 40 pictorial windows include a chancel scene of the Fall of Man and Mary beside Jesus in judgement.Across the cathedral, including the chancel
- Marble PietàThis marble replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà was once displayed at David Jones department store.Western transept
- Grave of the Unknown SoldierGeorge Washington Lambert’s sculpture was moved from the crypt into a cathedral aisle for public access.In a cathedral aisle
- Stations of the CrossCardinal Moran selected these oil paintings by L. Chovet of Paris for the cathedral in 1885.
- High altar screenA carved screen made from Oamaru limestone from New Zealand.Behind the high altar
Know before you go
- Open Monday to Friday, 06:30–18:30; Saturday and Sunday, 06:30–19:00.
Services and visiting hours
- Choral Mass and Vespers
- The cathedral choir sings daily except Fridays It is Australia’s oldest continuous musical institution.
- Bells
- Rung before Sunday Solemn Mass and on major feast days
Interesting facts5
-
The central tower holds twelve bells, plus two more for alternative ringing combinations.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia (part 3) -
1997
Orgues Létourneau built the main organ from 1997 to 1999; it has 46 stops across three manuals and a pedal.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral (Sydney) - Wikipedia -
50 years
Hardman & Co. made the cathedral’s stained glass over about 50 years.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia (part 2) -
The side aisles have stone vaults with carved bosses and saints’ heads at the arch terminals.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia (part 2) -
The Chapter Hall to the east is the oldest surviving building on the site.
St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia (part 3)
Shorts
History
The site was the first land granted to the Catholic Church in Australia. The cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady, Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia.
- 1821Governor Macquarie laid the first cathedral’s foundation stone on 29 October.
- 1851Augustus Pugin’s plans guided alterations to the first cathedral.
- 1865Fire destroyed the first cathedral.
- 1868Archbishop Polding laid the present cathedral’s foundation stone.
- 1928Archbishop Kelly dedicated the nave ahead of the International Eucharistic Congress.
Show all
- 1954The cathedral hosted an International Eucharistic Congress.
- 1961The crypt was completed as the burial place of Father Therry, Archbishops Polding and Vaughan, Cardinal Moran and Archbishop Kelly.
- 1968Interior decoration continued until this year.
- 1998–2000The cathedral’s planned façade spires were built.
- 2008Pope Benedict XVI visited on 19 July.
How to get there
- On footApproach through Hyde Park behind the Archibald Fountain, then cross the road to the cathedral. The usual public entrance is the transept facing the park. Address: 2 St Mary’s Road, Sydney, New South Wales.
Sources: St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia · St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia (part 2) · St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney - Wikipedia (part 3) · Sydney/City Centre - Wikivoyage (see) · Saint Mary’s Cathedral (Sydney) - Wikipedia · Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Sydney - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- stmaryscathedral.org.au/
- Phone
- +61 2 9220 0400
Questions and answers
How many organs are there in St Mary’s Cathedral?
Five.
Why is the interior of St Mary’s Cathedral dim?
The yellow clerestory glass has darkened over time. Extensive lighting was installed in the 1970s to counter the dimness.
When did the original bells at St Mary’s Cathedral first ring?
On New Year’s Day 1844, after arriving in Sydney in August 1843.
What happened to St Mary’s Cathedral’s first pipe organ?
Henry Bevington’s London-built organ was installed in 1841 and destroyed in the 1865 fire.
Which rock musician was commemorated at St Mary’s Cathedral?
A memorial service for AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young took place on 28 November 2017.
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