St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Adelaide

Coordinates: 34°55′44″S 138°36′05″E / 34.9290°S 138.6014°E / -34.9290; 138.6014
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about St Francis Xavier's Cathedral in Adelaide. For others of the same name, see St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

St Francis Xavier's Cathedral
Style
Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking17 March 1856
Completed11 July 1996
Specifications
Height36 metres (118 ft)
Bells14
Administration
ArchdioceseArchdiocese of Adelaide
Clergy
ArchbishopPatrick O'Regan
Priest(s)Anthoni Adimai

St Francis Xavier's Cathedral is a

Early English style. The foundation stone was laid in 1856 and the building was dedicated
in 1858. The construction of the tower began in 1887; and was not completed until 1996. The tower stands 36 metres (118 ft) high and is 56.5 metres (185 ft) lengthwise and 29.5 metres (97 ft) horizontally.

History

In 1838, two years after the

Victoria, Lambeth left along with many of the population, leaving no plans and with the community in economic depression.[1]

The original

foundation stone was put in place on 17 March 1856 by the vicar general, Father Michael Ryan, with the first part of the cathedral being dedicated on 11 July 1858. It was first extended when construction began at the southern end of the cathedral, including the sanctuary, side chapel, lady chapel and sacristy in January 1859. Construction of the first extension finished the following year in November 1860. With further growth in the population of Adelaide, another extension was required to seat more worshippers. In November 1886, Bishop Reynolds laid the foundation stone for an extension on the eastern side for a further 200 people, as well as new vestries and confessionals. These were completed in August the following year. In 1904, electric lighting was introduced.[citation needed
]

The cornerstone of the current bell tower was laid in 1887, but the lower part was only built between 1923 and 1926 during expansion work on the cathedral, when the western aisle was also extended. The expanded building was opened in April 1926 by Archbishop Robert Spence.[2]

On 8 March 1931, Spence dedicated the octagonal pulpit, designed by Adelaide architect Herbert Jory, with its intricate and detailed decoration carved out of Australian blackwood. It was erected as a memorial to Roman Catholic soldiers who had died in World War I and is regarded as an important example of church furniture.[3][4]

It was not until 1996 that the bell tower was finally completed, by the architect Lynton Jury, 109 years after construction of the tower commenced. The bell used in the tower is the Murphy Bell of 1867, surrounded by thirteen other bells hung for change ringing, installed in 1996. Seven of these bells date from 1881 and were previously in St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.[2][5][6]

The cathedral suffered significant damage in the 1954 Adelaide earthquake.[7]

Features

Located at the north-western corner is a statue of St

Mary and Jesus. The eastern side of the cathedral features a statue of St Patrick, the patron of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, with Celtic symbols prevalent in the surroundings.[2]

The cathedral has had three

J. E. Dodd with two manuals, which was subsequently rebuilt in 1954.[8]

The bells are rung by members of The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers.[9]

Services

The cathedral is open daily from early morning until evening, with Mass celebrated three times daily. The cathedral also maintains a choir.[10]

Gallery

See also

  • Fennescey House

References

  1. ^ "History 1844-1860". St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
  2. ^ a b c 10 Minute Cathedral Tour – Explore St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral Adelaide. 2005.
  3. ^ "Building Details: St Francis Xavier Cathedral". Architects of South Australia. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Memorial pulpit". The News (Adelaide). Vol. XVI, no. 2, 383. 7 March 1931. p. 7 (Sports Edition). Retrieved 19 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "The Cathedral Bells". website of St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  6. ^ "Adelaide, RC Cath Ch of S Francis Xavier". Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers. Central Council for Church Bellringers. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
  7. ^ 60 Years On – Adelaide Earthquake Australian Earthquake Engineering Society Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Cathedral Organs". St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Archived from the original on 12 October 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
  9. ^ "Adelaide, St Francis Xavier's Cathedral". ANZAB Tower Directory. The Australian and New Zealand Association of Bellringers. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Worship". St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Archived from the original on 12 October 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2006.

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral (Adelaide).

External links

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