St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Cairns, Australia.
St. Monica's War Memorial Cathedral is a concrete church built in 1967-1968 in Cairns with red and cream brickwork and large burgundy glass windows that fill the interior with light through arched openings. It can seat hundreds of worshippers and contains multiple confessionals along with a separate circular baptistery.
Built in 1967-1968, the cathedral replaced an earlier church from 1886 that was destroyed by a cyclone in 1927. It was later dedicated as a war memorial honoring the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942.
The cathedral reflects how the local faith community worships today through its modern design that brings priest and congregation closer together. The free-standing altar allows priests to face worshippers during services, creating a more direct connection during prayer.
The cathedral is located on Abbott Street and is easily accessible on foot with ample space to accommodate many visitors at once. Plan your visit during daylight hours to best appreciate the architectural details and the light streaming through the windows.
Inside the building are the Colours of the 51st Infantry Battalion, installed in 1969, honoring an important military unit from the region. These regimental flags make the place serve as a tribute to local war veterans as much as a place of worship.
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