St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Darwin, Australia
St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Darwin featuring a distinctive 58-meter parabolic arch made of reinforced concrete and a 25-meter bell tower. The building uses clerestory windows for ventilation and has broad aisles with movable glass sections to keep temperatures comfortable inside.
The original church at this site served as military chaplaincy headquarters for Australian troops stationed in Darwin during World War II. The present-day cathedral was built later to replace it at the same significant location.
Inside, a painting by Karel Kupka portrays the Madonna and Child with Australian Aboriginal features, reflecting how this place belongs to its local community. The artwork shows how faith and local identity come together in this space.
The building is designed to work in Darwin's warm and humid climate, with wide aisles and openable glass sections for natural airflow. Visitors should wear appropriate clothing and be prepared for the natural ventilation systems throughout the space.
The foundation stone for the cathedral came from Rum Jungle, the site of the Northern Territory's first uranium mining operation, and was blessed in 1958. This choice of material connects the building to an important chapter of the region's industrial past.
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