Parramatta, NSW - St Patrick's Cathedral Catholic
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Saint: Patrick
Address: 1 Marist Place, Parramatta, New South Wales, 2150
Architect: Romaldo Giurgola
Traditional Owners: Dharug people
Last Updated: 03/12/2023
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History and Architecture:
Established as a church in 1836, the site was modified several times and consecrated as a cathedral in 1986. Destroyed by a 1996 fire, the old St Patrick's Cathedral became a Blessed Sacrament Chapel and adjoining it is a large contemporary Cathedral, completed in 2003. A tower was built on the original St Patrick's Church which was consecrated in 1880 and blessed in 1883. A cast bronze bell was installed in the tower in 1904.
The Church was extensively rebuilt after a 1996 fire devastated the original church that was established in 1854. The building was designed by Romaldo Giurgola and the firm MGT Architects.
The Cathedral was consecrated on 29 November 2003 by Cardinal Edward Clancy.
Clergy:
These names are now in the database and can be searched individually
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1839 - 1842 | Father Brennan | |||
| 1847 - 1852 | Father Brennan | |||
| 1852 - 1857 | Dean Coffey | |||
| 1857 - 1864 | Dean Sumner | |||
| 1864 - 1874 | Dean Forde | |||
| 1874 - 1889 | Monsignor Rigney | 1903 | ||
| 1889 - 1919 | Monsignor Thomas O'Reilly | 1919 | ||
| 1919 - 1931 | Monsignor O'Gorman | 1931 | ||
| 1931 - 1953 | Monsignor Patrick O'Donnell | 1954 | ||
| 1953 - 1964 | Monsignor Joseph McGovern | 1964 | ||
| 1964 - 1974 | Monsignor Frank Kerr | 1987 | ||
| 1974 - 1974 | Father Joseph Weaver | 2 months | 1990 | |
| 1974 - 1976 | Father Don Peisley | |||
| 1976 - 1991 | Dean Brian Larkey | |||
| 1991 - 2000 | Dean John Boyle | |||
| 2000 - 2004 | Dean Kevin Walsh | |||
| 2004 - 2006 | Dean Peter Williams | |||
| 2006 - 2012 | Dean Wim Hoekstra | |||
| 2012 - 2014 | Rev John McSweeney | |||
| 2014 - 2020 | Rev Robert Bossini | |||
| 2020 - 2020 | Rev Peter Williams | |||
| 2021 - | Rev Robert Rieding |
Organ:
The first organ in St Patrick’s was built in 1852 by J.C. Bishop, of London, for St Benedict’s Broadway. In 1981 St Patrick’s acquired yet another second-hand organ, this time from the Grand Masonic Lodge in Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Built in 1923 by Holroyd & Edwards, of Sydney, the organ (of two manuals and 10 speaking stops) had been electrified in 1970 by Pitchford & Garside, who also undertook some tonal modifications. In 1996 Sydney organbuilder, Peter Jewkes, became aware of a redundant tubular-pneumatic Norman & Beard organ of 1898, located in St Saviour’s Anglican Church, Walton Place, London. The Organ has 3m., 39 sp. st., electric.
A full decription and photos can be seen here.
Source:
1. Organ Historical Trust of Australia with permission.
2. Wikipedia.
3. Church website
4. Deceased Clergy in Australia, 1788-present.