St Patrick’s Cathedral
Spread over 1.25ha, the Cathedral Precinct was originally identified as a future site to provide a church for the growing Bunbury parish in the early 1900’s
The foundation stone of St Patrick’s was laid in 1919. Its doors were opened to the local community just two years later. Some of the older parishioners still recall how local limestone rocks were carried up from the beach on bullock trains, and how, as children, they carried bricks, two at a time, for the exterior works. Others speak of stories they heard from their parents and grandparents about their part in building the Cathedral. Other Bunbury residents again, as well as people from other South West areas, recall watching the Cathedral being built.
Originally St Patrick’s was not a cathedral, but a parish church. However, in 1954 it was proclaimed a cathedral by Pope Pius XII when he established the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury.
On 16 May 2005, a tornado tore through Bunbury, devastating the city and shifting the Cathedral on its foundations resulting in its demolition.
The New St Patrick’s Cathedral was built over a 5 year period, and was dedicated on 17th March 2011 by Bishop Gerard Holohan, the fourth Bishop of Bunbury.
What is a Cathedral?
Cathedrals have fulfilled a unique purpose in the lives of the communities in which they are built since the earliest days of Christianity. The word “cathedral” goes back to at least the third century. For […]
Significance of the Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral is a significant building for the parish, for the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury, for the City of Bunbury, and for the communities of the southern portion of Western Australia. For the parish, […]
The Artwork
St Patrick’s Cathedral Artwork Robert Juniper was commissioned by Bishop Gerard Holohan, to design the stained glass windows for the new Cathedral There are 14 windows each seven metres high as well as two Rose windows. […]
St Patrick’s Reflections
On 16 May 2005, a tornado tore through Bunbury, devastating the city and shifting the Cathedral on its foundations resulting in its demolition. This DVD was commissioned by Catholic Church Insurances as a tribute to […]
Testimonials
“The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the damage inflicted upon the Cathedral in Bunbury by the recent tornado and he wishes to express his spiritual closeness to all who grieve over the loss […]
Rebuilding St Patricks Cathedral
According to the very earliest surviving work on architecture, Vitruvius’ De architectura, good buildings satisfy three core principles: Firmness, Commodity, and Delight. Architecture can be seen as the balancing of these three elements, with none […]
St Patrick’s Cathedral (1921-2005)
Why a Cathedral?
As an edifice of transcendent beauty, built to stand for 300 years, the Cathedral fulfils a diversity of needs for our Diocese, for Bunbury and the surrounding region. Further the places and requisites for worship […]
St Patrick’s Cathedral Donors 1921
“Many would like to know how they, a very poor community, managed to collect so much money and raise up such costly and imposing structures to the glory of God. Sincere faith in our God-created Church […]
Blessing and Opening of St. Patrick’s Church Bunbury
Archdeacon Smyth’s Wonderful Work What was undoubtedly the culmination of a great endeavour in Church work was witnessed last Sunday by the people of the antique and pretty seaside town of Bunbury, when his Grace […]
The History of St Patrick’s Cathedral
The foundation stone of St Patrick’s was laid in 1919. Its doors were opened to the local community just two years later. Some of the older parishioners still recall how local limestone rocks were carried […]