St Patrick's Cathedral, Gothic Revival cathedral in East Melbourne, Australia
St Patrick's Cathedral is a Gothic Revival cathedral in East Melbourne, built of dark grey bluestone with lighter stone trim. Its plan is a Latin cross, 103.6 metres long and 56.4 metres wide across the transepts, with a nave, side aisles, transepts and a sanctuary with seven chapels. The central spire rises 105 metres, flanked by two spires of 61.9 metres.
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 present cathedral choir was founded in 1939, when the Vienna Mozart Boys Choir was stranded in Australia by the outbreak of war. The organ incorporates much of the instrument built by Robert Mackenzie in the late 1870s and completed by George Fincham in 1880; the current organ was built by George Fincham & Sons in 1962–64.
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