About

St Patrick’s Cathedral first conducted services from 1851 onwards, the parish of Ballarat was instituted in 1852. The first Parish Priest was Father Matthew Downing, who selected in 1853 the two acres 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.

History

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 all the presentation plate is still held by the diocese.

This was Ballarat’s only parish church from 1863 to 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.

When St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat was finally consecrated in 1891 by Cardinal Moran of Sydney it was the first Catholic Cathedral consecrated in the Australian Colonies, making it today Australia’s oldest.

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.  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