Darwin City, NT - St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral

History and Architecture:

In September 1882, four Jesuit priests, led by Fr Anthony Strele, established a Catholic Mission Station, and within a few years built a church on the site of the current Presbytery. The first sod was turned on 16th December, 1957, and the foundation stone was blessed by Bishop O’Loughlin on 13th July, 1958.  This stone was cut from a piece of crystalline metamorphosed rock from Rum Jungle, the site of the first uranium mine in the Territory.  The stone shows extensive silification.  It is rich in symbolism, uniting as it does what was a powerful centre of Territory development with the vital centre of spiritual inspiration.  Mr Carl Johansson was in charge of building operations until 1962 when Mr John D’Arcy took over.

The Cathedral is dominated at the main entrance by a 26 metre tower, topped by a cross 6 metres high.  The graceful tower sets off the building contours.  A spiral staircase gives access to a gallery at the top, commanding a panoramic view of the city of Darwin.  The roof of the Cathedral is copper.

Designed in 1957 by Alexander Ian Ferrier of J.P. Donoghue, Cusick & Edwards in Brisbane, and completed in 1962.

A full history can be seen here.