St Mary’s Cathedral site to undergo biggest transformation in decades

Plans reveal a dramatic, multi-level Gothic-arched chancery complete with a cafe and bookshop to be built at the site of Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral.

St Mary's Cathedral is set to undergo its first significant renovation in four decades with the construction of a four-storey high Gothic-arched parish and chancery complete with a gift shop and cafe.

St Marys Cathedral is set to undergo the biggest transformation in four decades with a dramatic, multi-level Gothic-arched chancery proposed next to the sacred site.

Detailed plans obtained by The Saturday Telegraph show the building will be positioned between the Cathedral and Chapter Hall on land that was supposed to have been the location of the Archbishop’s residence.

Instead of a residence, the site ended up becoming a carpark.

Under the plans – to be lodged with City of Sydney – the proposed chancery building will house the administration facilities for the affiliates for the Cathedral along with a cafe, a religious bookshop and meeting spaces for groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and the St Mary’s bellringers.

St Mary’s is set to expand with a new building planned for the site. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

There will also be new public amenities and family rooms, additional office space and greater accessibility for people with disabilities and prams.

Built between 1868 and 1929, St Marys Cathedral has become one of Sydney’s top tourist sites with about 1.2 million people visiting the site yearly, making it the fourth most visited destination in Sydney.

In the lead-up to Christmas, up to 40,000 visitors are expected to head to Cathedral nightly.

The precinct itself is regarded as the oldest place maintaining its use as a site for worship for the Catholic community in Australia after having been first land granted to the Catholic Church in Australia.

The new building will go where a car park currently is. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The plans show the intention is for the new building to be built in the theme of the Cathedral and Hall with use of sandstone and a nod to the Gothic-revival style.

The DA followed extensive consultations with the City of Sydney, NSW Heritage Council, Catholic Clergy and local parishioners.

Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Executive Director Michael Digges said it will be the first significant restoration and modification of the Cathedral site in more than forty years – excluding the construction of the spires.

“The St Mary’s Cathedral site has been serving both Catholics and the people of Sydney for nearly two-hundred years. This new upgrade will ensure this lasting legacy of service continues for centuries to come,” he said.

“The construction of the Cathedral’s spires was only completed twenty years ago. The world’s great Cathedrals always remain works in progress, requiring constant maintenance and renewal for the cities they serve.”

Designed by Candalepas Associates, the new building has a sandstone facade to tie in with the Cathedral precinct.

It will incorporate gothic Tudor arches from the adjacent Chapter Hall building, thought to be the oldest surviving Catholic building in Australia.

St Mary’s Cathedral is considered the oldest place of worship for the Catholic faithful in Australia, with the site being visited by three now Saints and three Popes.

The Cathedral’s conservation is a high priority and preservation of the heritage of the precinct is ongoing with a sandstone restoration project currently under way.

The Cathedral is open for multiple charitable initiatives during the year, such as the annual Street Feast for the homeless and disadvantaged, ANZAC memorial services and the annual Christmas at the Cathedral event, which is the largest Christmas celebration of its kind in Australia, now open and free to the public every evening until Christmas Day.

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