When the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia was established in 1910, Broome was designated as the See town, with Geraldton still remaining part of the Diocese of Perth.[4] Initial plans were to construct a cathedral in Broome, with the Anglican Church of the Annunciation serving as the pro-cathedral until a permanent cathedral could be built.
However, in 1928, Geraldton and its surrounding territories were transferred from the Diocese of Perth to the North West. Subsequently, the diocesan headquarters were moved from Broome to Geraldton in 1935.[4] Later, following the formalisation of the diocesan boundaries by the WA Parliament through the Church of England (Northern Diocese) Act in 1961, and the first synod of the diocese, Geraldton replaced Broome as the diocesan See town.[5]
Construction
In 1960–1961, plans were undertaken to establish a new cathedral in Geraldton. Architects Ean McDonald and Edwin Whitaker from Perth were commissioned for the design, and the contract for the construction was awarded to the Geraldton Building Company in 1962.[6][4] The total cost of the project was approximately £80,000, including furnishings.[7][4]
Description
The cathedral is a rare and "...excellent example of the Post-War Ecclesiastical style of architecture featuring an unorthodox plan form, impressive monumentality, simple and functional finishings and decorative stained glass windows."[8]
The cathedral "is renowned for having one of the largest areas of stained glass windows in Australia."[9] Designed by Carl Edwards in London, and constructed locally in Western Australia by Gowers & Brown, the cathedral features seven windows each on the north and south side of the nave, and one window on the eastern wall of its upstairs chapel.[8]
Seven windows on the north side of the cathedral depict the events of Christmas, Epiphany, the Crucifixion, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and the Trinity. Seven windows on the south side of the cathedral depict significant biblical and church history figures. Biblical figures depicted include Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Stephen and the apostle Paul. Figures from church history include Saint Alban, Augustine of Canterbury, and Saint Boniface; as well as figures important to the Anglican tradition including Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, and George Herbert.[8] The east window is based on Genesis 1:1-3, depicting the creation of the heavens and the earth.
Deans
The following individuals have served as Deans of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross:[4]
^Christ Church (Geraldton, W.A.); Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Geraldton, W.A.); Anglican Church of Australia. Western Australian records 1834-2003 (1860), Records, 1860-1987, retrieved 17 October 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Williams, A.E. (1989). West Anglican Way :the growth of the Anglican Church in Western Australia from its early beginnings. Western Australia: Province of Western Australia of the Anglican Church of Australia. ISBN0731668014.
^Henderson-Brooks, Tom (18 July 2020). "Episcopal Announcement"(PDF). Anglican Church Central Queensland. Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
^"New Dean of Geraldton". Anglican Diocese of North West Australia. 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
