St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta

For other uses, see St. Patrick's Cathedral (disambiguation).

St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta
File:St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta.jpg Spire and section of 2003 additions
Basic information
Location	Sydney, Australia
Geographic coordinates
Affiliation	Roman Catholic
District	Diocese of Parramatta
Year consecrated	28 May 1837 (as St Patrick's Church) 29 November 2003 (as St Patrick's Cathedral)
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Leadership	Vincent Long Van Nguyen
Website	stpatscathedral.com.au
Architectural description
Architect(s)	Romaldo Giurgola (2003 rebuild)
Architectural type	Church
Groundbreaking	17 March 1836 (initial foundation stone laid)
Completed	29 November 2003 (rebuild following fire)

St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and the seat of the Catholic Bishop of Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.

History

With origins of the first mass occurring on the present day site of the cathedral going back to 1803, St Patrick's was extensively rebuilt after a 1996 fire devastated the original church established in 1854. A tower was built on the original St Patrick's Church which was consecrated in 1880 and blessed in 1883. A cast bronze bell was installed in the tower in 1904. As the needs of the parish grew, a new church was built on the site in 1936 incorporating the existing tower and spire (pictured above). When the Diocese of Parramatta was established in 1986, St Patrick's Church was designated as St Patrick's Cathedral.

Building design and works

Under the incumbency of Bishop Kevin Manning and the then dean, the Very Reverend Peter Williams, the current building was designed by Romaldo Giurgola and the firm MGT Architects. Giurgola was commissioned in 1997 for the restoration and design of the new cathedral complex after fire destroyed the previous building. Giurgola was previously the architect of the new Australian Parliament House in Canberra.

A program of major art works, craft and special design for the cathedral was also undertaken at the same time so that the art, architecture and furnishings of the new cathedral would be in harmony. The commissioned artists included Sydney sculptor Anne Ferguson (who worked in stone), Tasmanian designer Kevin Perkins (who worked in timber) and Sydney sculptor and jewellery designer Robin Blau (who worked in metal). The new Parramatta Cathedral was dedicated on 29 November 2003.

The Norman and Beard late-Victorian English romantic pipe organ, built in 1898, was installed in 2006. This 19th-century organ was originally installed in St Saviour's Anglican Church in Knightsbridge, London. A new organ case was designed by Stephen Bicknell in collaboration with Romaldo Giurgola and the instrument was restored and installed in Parramatta Cathedral by Peter Jewkes and Associates. The organ specifications were further enhanced in 2014 with the addition of several digital ranks of pedal pipes, including 32' Contra-Bourdon, 32' Contra-ophecleide, 16' Major bass; and additional switching devices for the transfer of swell reeds to pedal.

The building design and construction team were awarded the 2003 Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Buildings from the Australian Institute of Architects.

Bishop and clergy

Main article: Roman Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

The episcopal ordinary of the diocese is currently sede vacante since the departure of the Most Rev. Anthony C. Fisher OP, who was appointed as Archbishop of Sydney and Metropolitan in 2014. The current administrator of the Diocese of Parramatta is the Very Reverend Father Peter G. Williams. On 5 May 2016, Pope Francis appointed Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv. an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne to be the fourth Bishop of Parramatta. Nguyen's installation is scheduled to take place on 16 June 2016. The current dean of the cathedral is the Very Reverend Fr Robert Bossini (appointed 2014), assisted by the Rev Fr John Paul Escarlan (assistant priest, chaplain to the deaf community and diocesan master of ceremonies), the Rev. Fr Steven Hyun (Korean chaplain) and a permanent deacon, the Rev. Mr Willy Limjap. The Most Rev. Kevin M. Manning (Bishop Emeritus of Parramatta) is in residence.

The current director of music, appointed in 2006, is Bernard Kirkpatrick who is a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Other cathedral musicians include the senior organ scholar, Timothy Coorey, the junior organ scholar, Patrick Newman, and the assistant organist Michael Taylor. The cathedral is served by a team of 10 cantors, the St Patrick's Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Schola. Sung liturgical services on Sundays include 6.00 pm Vigil Mass (Cantor); 9.30 am (Cantor); 11.00 am Solemn Sung Mass (Cathedral Choir/Schola) and 6.00 pm (Cantor). Music is provided for weekday Masses on solemnities (choir) and feast days (schola/cantors) as advised. The cathedral offers stipends/scholarships to students who demonstrate a high level of musical expertise and leadership skill and who wish to sing in the choir. Cantors and assistant organists receive an honorarium.

The cathedral sacristan is Chris Ohlsen, (also diocesan assistant master of ceremonies) who oversees the training and rosters of liturgical ministers, including the recruitment and training of MCs, acolytes and altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and readers. He also supervises the work of the volunteer Sacristy Guild.

External links

• Cathedral pages on the Diocese of Parramatta website
• Diocese of Parramatta website
• Link to the Cathedral Pipe Organ specifications