St Patrick's Cathedral, Gothic Revival cathedral in East Melbourne, Australia
St Patrick's Cathedral is a Gothic Revival church in East Melbourne with three tall spires built from bluestone, the central one rising 105 meters (344 feet) above street level. The facade shows pointed arches, tracery, and buttresses typical of the Gothic style.
Construction began in 1858 following designs by William Wardell and stretched over decades, interrupted by the economic depression of the 1890s. Completion came only in 1939 under Archbishop Mannix, who resumed work after a long pause.
The building honors Ireland's patron saint, reflecting the heritage of Catholic families who settled here during the 19th century. It remains the archbishop's seat and a gathering place where worshippers from across the city attend Mass and prayer.
Visitors can enter daily, and guided tours explain the building's features and religious symbols for people of all backgrounds. The location is walkable from the city center or reachable by public transport that stops nearby.
The bells were brought from Europe in the mid-1800s and still ring for special occasions like New Year and memorial events. The choir was founded in 1939 and has continued musical traditions since then, often featuring students from St Kevin's College.
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