St Mary’s Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral, in Sydney

St Mary's Cathedral is the main Catholic building of Sydney, an imposing neo-Gothic sanctuary near Hyde Park. The Sydney audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this great cathedral whose construction began in 1821, under the governor Lachlan Macquarie.

The great neo-Gothic sanctuary

St Mary's Cathedral is the main Catholic building of Sydney and one of the largest cathedrals of Australia. It is in 1821 that the construction of this vast sanctuary began, in a neo-Gothic style chosen by the governor Lachlan Macquarie, one of the great figures of the beginnings of the colony. The building marks the establishment of the Catholic community in the young town, at a time when it was developing rapidly. Built in local sandstone, the cathedral impresses by its imposing dimensions, its long nave, its slender vaults, its stained-glass windows and its two high spires that dominate the horizon. Its construction extended over long decades, and its Gothic inspiration evokes the great medieval cathedrals of Europe, transposed into the southern hemisphere. Located by Hyde Park, it forms with the park a fine ensemble of greenery and stone. A major place of worship and a witness of the religious history of the town, St Mary's Cathedral is discovered with respect. It is a stop to be discovered with respect of the discovery of Sydney.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the main Catholic building of Sydney, a vast neo-Gothic sanctuary whose construction began in 1821 under the governor Lachlan Macquarie, built in local sandstone, with imposing dimensions with its long nave, its slender vaults, its stained-glass windows and its two high spires, by Hyde Park. St Mary's Cathedral is a major sanctuary of Sydney. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

St Mary's Cathedral lies by Hyde Park, in the heart of Sydney, reachable on foot and by public transport. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

When was St Mary's Cathedral of Sydney built?

Its construction began in 1821, in a neo-Gothic style chosen by the governor Lachlan Macquarie; built in local sandstone and extended over long decades, this great cathedral, the main Catholic building of Sydney, impresses by its long nave, its stained-glass windows and its two high spires, by Hyde Park.

Where is St Mary's Cathedral of Sydney?

By Hyde Park, in the heart of Sydney, in Australia.