What is a Cathedral?

The word ‘Cathedral’ comes from a Latin word meaning “seat”. The seat referred to is the seat of the Bishop who is the leader of a group of churches related to the Cathedral. The Bishop’s seat is both a metaphor for the Cathedral building and his actual chair called ‘the cathedra’ which is inside the church.  The Cathedral is the Diocesan Church for:

• Diocesan liturgical celebrations and roles;
• A Parish Church – home to a Parish community;
• A gathering place for parish community and schools;
• A prayerful place for weddings and funerals;
• A place of devotion to visit;
• A place to find comfort and peace;
• A means of evangelisation.
• The face of Christ in a building.
• A place of mission and outreach.

History of St Patrick’s Cathedral

Although Catholic Services were conducted in Ballarat from 1851 onwards, the parish of Ballarat was instituted in 1852. The first Parish Priest here was Father Matthew Downing who selected in 1853 the two acre site for this church which was granted under a Crown Grant in 1855.

The style of the church is early Gothic from the era of Edward I in the 13th Century. The dimensions are basically 150ft by l00ft.  On February 7th, 1858 Bishop James Alipius Goold laid the foundation stone for the church which commenced being used on a regular basis for Mass in 1863.  The miners presented the Bishop with gold nuggets which were formed into a Chalice and Patten which are today in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. With this exception, the presentation plate is still held by the diocese.

This was Ballarat’s only parish church from 1863 – 1963.  The official opening of the church was in 1871 and when the diocese of Ballarat was formed in 1874, the first Bishop Dr Michael O’Connor, chose it for his Cathedral.  St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat was finally consecrated in 1891 by Cardinal Moran of Sydney.

The present High Altar and Stations of the Cross were purchased in Rome. The altar is of Carrara marble inlaid with precious stones including Antico Rossi, Lapis Lazuli and antique marbles.

The stained glass windows were introduced in from 1883 the first being that over the chancel. Following this were the Lady Chapel window and Blessed Sacrament Chapel window. These three windows were made in Germany (note their slight variation in colour to the other windows).

The remainder were gradually added to, until complete in 1910. Of these, the first was presented by the Loreto Sisters representing St Brigid (note her Crozier – traditional mark of a Bishop).  On the opposite side of the narthex is St Patrick’s window donated by the third Bishop, Bishop Higgins (note the crozier piercing Aengus through the foot).  Both these windows have the Holy Spirit uppermost.  The side windows depict the parables (rad more about the Cathedral Stained Glass windows here).

The tiles of the Sanctuary and side chapels are from Austria and those in the nave from Minton’s England. The first organ installed in 1867, was replaced with the Fincham in 1930.

Five of Ballarat’s eight Bishop’s are buried in the crypt.

Virtual Tour of St Patrick’s Cathedral

History of St Columba’s Church Ballarat North

On 31st January, 1911 St Columba’s School was opened for students and was staffed by Sisters of Mercy, who travelled each day from Ballarat East.  As the Bishop was away at the time, the official blessing and opening took place later that year.

Ballarat North community had its own Church in 1919 when a wooden church, which had been built about 1892 as the original chapel of the Redemptorist Monastery in Wendouree, was moved to the site on Gregory Street, alongside the existing primary school.  The present Church was built in its original form in 1940 and the former wooden church became part of the primary school, originally used as classrooms and later as an assembly hall.  It remained until 2007 when the school’s needs demanded not only the space but a more up-to-date area for school assemblies and other functions.

The 1940 church underwent extensive refurbishment in the years after Vatican II, allowing a more open and simple arrangement while respecting the intrinsic beauty of the original building.  Later still, an entrance foyer was added, not only to serve as a gathering (and de-briefing!) space, but also to allow for the various parish meetings.  The stained glass windows in the church are neither spectacular nor lavish, but they are rich in symbols from both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

Although the parish community had a distinct identity of its own from 1911, Ballarat North did not officially become a parish until 1971. The presbytery at the rear of the church was actually built before then (1958), and served as a residence for a number of priests who were engaged in various ministries in Ballarat and beyond.

Many of the parishioners who have lived in the area for many years have fond memories of the pastors who served as their parish priests: Frs Boylan, Martin, van de Camp and Brophy. In 2002 when Fr Brophy was moved to Mildura, the parish lost the ministry of a resident priest and was administered from St Patrick’s Cathedral, until it came under the care of Fr Gerard Prunty, Administrator of both OLHC Wendouree and St Columba’s.  The community has retained a strong identity of its own.

Mass is celebrated on Sunday mornings.  A regular group of parishioners warmly welcomes you on Wednesday mornings at 10.00am for Mass in the Church foyer.

History of St John the Baptist Church, Beaufort

The first visit of a Catholic Priest to this area was in 1855 when Fr Patrick Bermingham came up from Colac to visit the gold diggings. The following year, 1856, the district was made part of the Parish of Ballarat. In 1858, the new parish of Mount Ararat and Pleasant Creek was established with Fr Thomas Barrett as the first Parish Priest. Beaufort was part of this new parish and Fr Barrett visited regularly.

In 1861 a Catholic school was built and the building served as a chapel until 1884. The school closed at the end of 1964.

Rev Fr Robert Meade from Limerick, Ireland was ordained in 1868.

Before the days of motor transport, he would travel by buggy, drawn by a fine pair of horses, to Buangor Saturday afternoon, stay overnight at a parishioner’s home and celebrate Mass in Buangor on the Sunday morning. He would then go to Beaufort to the late Mass. This was a fortnightly ritual, alternating later and early in the two communities.

The Diocese of Ballarat was created in March 1874 and Bishop Michael O’Connor made his first visit to Beaufort in 1875 when he confirmed eighteen children. The Bishop expressed hope that a new and more suitable church would soon be built on the land reserved. Permission to build did not come through for several years. It was Fr Meade who undertook the task of building the new Church of St John the Baptist. The building was opened by Bishop James Moore on Sunday 12th October 1884.

Around 1895, Fr Burke of Buangor and Fr Hegarty conducted an 8 day mission at Beaufort. The report of the Ripponshire Advocate gives us an interesting insight into the preaching style common at that time. It reported that … “Fr Hegarty spoke earnestly as to the duty of Catholics to uphold their faith, attend Masses, say their prayers and make confession as often as possible… He also urged them to pay their just debts and to forgive all who had in any way offended them….He strongly deprecated the common practice of walks in lonely lanes at all hours of the night… Great God said the preacher, What is the world coming to?… At the end of the mission, Fr Hegarty asked all to go down on their knees while he invoked a blessing upon them remarking to the Protestants present that if it did them no good, it could at least do them no harm.”

Mass on Sunday was always the central focus of Beaufort’s Catholic Community. In early days, people regularly walked many miles to attend Sunday Mass. As well as travelling on foot, there was also whatever horse drawn conveyance that was available.

The Church was enlarged in 1922. Further alterations were made in 1969.

In July 1971, Beaufort and Buangor left the Ararat Parish and became the newly created Parish of Beaufort. Fr John McKinnon, previously Assistant Priest at Ararat, became Parish Priest. A residence was built on the western side of the Church to serve as a Parish Centre, as well as a residence for the Priest.

Following Fr John McKinnon were Frs Brendan Smith, Pat O’Brien, Gerry Baldock, John Monaghan, Gary Jones, Brian Welch, Peter Sherman, Peter Claridge and Mons Nolan.

Having only one Priest, placed greater responsibility on the laity to assist with running the parish. Fortunately, this need arose around the same time as the Church revised many of its structures and methods. The laity was given a far greater role in many activities.

Beaufort was fortunate to have had a Parish Priest for more than 30 years.  Beaufort, Streatham and Buangor were the three Mass centres. There was a Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Group, Ladies Guild, Liturgy Group and weekly RE classes for children. In 1986, Lexton joined the Beaufort Parish, which created four Mass Centres.

From 1979 – 2007 the Beaufort House of Prayer, while not the property of the Parish, was nevertheless very much a part of the parish life. Eileen McManus, as the administrator at the House of Prayer on behalf of Ballarat Catholic Renewal, was invaluable support to the parish both liturgically and ministering to the sick and dying at the Hospital, Hostel and in homes.

In 2004, Beaufort was linked to Redan with Fr Gerry Baldock as the Parish Administrator. Without a resident Priest, regular gatherings on some Sundays were Lay Led. Fr Baldock retired in January 2009. Since then, the Parish has been administered from the Ballarat Cathedral Parish.

The Parish has been admirably supported by the Lay Ministry of Sister Shelia Belleville RSM  (7 years) and Sister Helen Murphy IBVM (4 years).

In the small faith community of Beaufort, life is centred around the gathering on a Sunday. Parishioners participate as Readers, Special Ministers, (distributing the Eucharist at Mass and Lay Assemblies, and to residents of the Nursing Home, the Hostel and private homes), Lay Led Liturgy Leaders, preparation of Church grounds and the Church itself, Liturgy Group (preparation for Sundays and special celebrations centred around Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas), Children’s Liturgy, cleaning and maintenance roster, newsletter and website communications with the Ballarat Diocese.

In 2018 we welcomed Fr Sajan Matthew as resident of the Parish Centre.

We are a small, active faith community with a long history, who today continue to welcome all to share in the celebration of Mass and the sacraments in our Church.

Decree for Ballarat Cathedral Parish 
On July 1, 2025, a Decree from the Bishop of Ballarat (Bishop Paul Bird CSsR) was received advising that the parishes of Ballarat North and Beaufort be dissolved and the territory that currently belongs to these parishes will be joined to the territory of St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat.  The enlarged parish will be called Ballarat Cathedral Parish.