Dublin Core
Title
St. Mary's Cathedral, East Perth, Western Australia
Subject
aedicule, architect, architecture, cathedral, Catholic, Catholicism, church, ecclesiastical building, gothic, gothic building, gothic revial, lancet arch, limestone, Michael Cavanagh, neo-gothic, Perth, pinnacle, Saint Mary, St. Mary, tracery, WA, Western Australia,
Description
The Western facade of St Mary's Cathedral was finally completed during the third and most recent stage of development and expansion in 2009. The 2009 completion of the cathedral is particularly evident in the two towers flanking the church entrance, with one being traditionally neo-gothic featuring crenellation, turrets, and lancet windows, whilst the recently completed tower has square windows and what could be interpreted as a modern rendition of crenellation.
About St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral:
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is a neo-gothic cathedral located in Perth, WA. It was constructed in four stages between 1865 and 2009. Building of the original brick portion of the cathedral commenced in 1863 but stalled due to lack of funds. It was completed in 1865 when an evening procession of all the Catholic clergy in Perth was held, and the building was blessed and named the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Additions and alterations between 1897 and 1905 emphasised the gothic character of the Cathedral. These included the addition of a steeple, pinnacles, gargoyles and crenellation to the bell tower, and the addition of a porch, an aedicule housing a statute of the Virgin Mary and extra lancet windows to the western end. Following the elevation of Perth to an Archdiocese in 1913, Archbishop Clune began a series of appeals to replace the Cathedral with a grander structure. Well-known WA architect Michael Cavanagh was appointed and produced plans for a completely new limestone Cathedral of Academic Gothic design. Due to financial constraints, however, it was decided to utilise the existing building, which subsequently became the nave, and add only new transepts and a sanctuary. These were completed in 1930 and the Cathedral retained this structure until 2006, when Archbishop Hickey ordered renovations to complete Cavanagh’s grand design.
About St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral:
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is a neo-gothic cathedral located in Perth, WA. It was constructed in four stages between 1865 and 2009. Building of the original brick portion of the cathedral commenced in 1863 but stalled due to lack of funds. It was completed in 1865 when an evening procession of all the Catholic clergy in Perth was held, and the building was blessed and named the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Additions and alterations between 1897 and 1905 emphasised the gothic character of the Cathedral. These included the addition of a steeple, pinnacles, gargoyles and crenellation to the bell tower, and the addition of a porch, an aedicule housing a statute of the Virgin Mary and extra lancet windows to the western end. Following the elevation of Perth to an Archdiocese in 1913, Archbishop Clune began a series of appeals to replace the Cathedral with a grander structure. Well-known WA architect Michael Cavanagh was appointed and produced plans for a completely new limestone Cathedral of Academic Gothic design. Due to financial constraints, however, it was decided to utilise the existing building, which subsequently became the nave, and add only new transepts and a sanctuary. These were completed in 1930 and the Cathedral retained this structure until 2006, when Archbishop Hickey ordered renovations to complete Cavanagh’s grand design.
Creator
Carter, Bree
Date
2010
Rights
No Copyright.
Format
Digital Photographs
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Digital Photographs