St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral, Darwin

St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral
Map
12°27′33″S 130°50′18″E / 12.459130°S 130.838199°E / -12.459130; 130.838199
LocationDarwin
CountryAustralia
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
History
Founder(s)Father Tom Jose Pandiapollil CMI
Specifications
Bells4
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Darwin

The St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral[1] is the main place of Catholic worship in the city of Darwin,[2] Australia,[3][4][self-published source] and the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Darwin.

During World War II, the first church of St Mary was the seat of the garrison of the military chaplaincy for Australian troops in the city. After the war it became necessary to build a larger structure. The architect was Ian Ferrier, from Brisbane, who was employed by Donoghue Cusick & Edwards at the time, and this firm completed construction after his departure in 1957.[5]

The first stone taken from Rum Jungle, the site of the first uranium mine in the territory, was blessed by Bishop O'Loughlin on 13 July 1958. Construction operations were entrusted to Carl Johansson until 1962 when he was replaced by John D'Arcy.

The cathedral was blessed and opened for worship by Bishop O'Loughlin on 19 August 1962 and consecrated on 20 August 1972.

Interior of St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral

See also

References

  1. ^ St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral in Darwin
  2. ^ Jones, Tom Devonshire; Murray, Linda; Murray, Peter (26 September 2013). The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art and Architecture. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780199680276.
  3. ^ Reeves, Keir; Bird, Geoffrey R.; James, Laura; Stichelbaut, Birger; Bourgeois, Jean (16 October 2015). Battlefield Events: Landscape, Commemoration and Heritage. Routledge. ISBN 9781317479000.
  4. ^ Feeken, Erwin (20 February 2015). My Adopted Country: Australia. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9781499028683.
  5. ^ "AAA looks at St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral, Darwin (1957-1962)". Architecture & Design. Retrieved 10 August 2020.