Goulburn, NSW - St Peter & Paul's Catholic Cathedral

History and Architecture:

The first Mass in the Goulburn District was celebrated by Father Therry in 1833 at Matt Healey's Inn (now called Riversdale).

The Cathedral was built in two stages and was constructed around the original 1843 church (when the cathedral exterior was completed the old church was demolished and the materials were removed outside through the cathedral doors). The foundation stone for the cathedral nave was laid in 1871 and sixteen years later the foundation stone for the additions was laid, the additions consisting of the transepts, sanctuary, chapel, sacristy and tower.

Gothic in style and built of local greenstone the completed cathedral was opened and blessed by Cardinal Moran on 29 June 1890. Costing £13,575, Goulburn Cathedral the first stage was designed by Charles Spadacini and the second stage by Andrea Stombuco and was built by C J O'Brien and Wilkie Brothers.

Renovations were made in 1927-1928 under Bishop Barry. The floor was replaced with a swung concrete floor and covered with wooden parquetry. The aisles were covered with bitumen adhesive and rubber tiles in the 1957 renovation. The sanctuary floor was raised, the main altar and reredos were moved back to the eastern wall and the sanctuary was lined with marble.