The St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton was completed in 1938, taking around twenty-two years from when the foundations began.
Motions to start building a new cathedral in Geraldton began in 1913 when Geraldton’s bishop, William Kelly, met Father John Cyril Hawes in Rome. The first foundations were laid in the middle of 1916.
There was not enough funding to build the cathedral as it was envisioned so it was built in stages. The first sermon at the opening of St Francis Xavier Cathedral was held in April 1918.
Bishop Kelly passed away and his successor, Bishop Richard Ryan, didn’t approve of spending any further on the unfinished cathedral, so it remained this way for another eight years.
Bishop Ryan left in 1926, allowing Hawes to resume building of the Cathedral. The second stage of St Francis Xavier Cathedral was opened in December 1928, ten years after the first stage.
With limited funding and financial constraints from the depression, the third stage didn’t start until the mid-1930s. The grand opening of the completed St Francis Xavier Cathedral was on the 28th August 1938.
The cathedral is prominent and immediately noticeable when you approach it. The outside and inside are amazing to view and admire the architecture.
The crypt is more humble than the rest of the cathedral but is still grand with sandstone construction. It has a less polished presentation, unlike the other parts that have a high level of presentation.
The bells for the cathedral were not fitted, they were sitting outside ready to be installed. They are the largest carillon of church bells in Australia. When they are to be fitted, we are not sure.
The cathedral is open for viewing everyday and tours are available to take you around the parts and learn some of the history of it and the people involved.
To get there:
Heading north on Brand Hwy into Geraldton, follow straight ahead. After crossing over a large overpass, continue for another 1.1km and Francis Xavier Cathedral is on the left at Maitland St.
Heading south on North West Coastal Hwy into Geraldton, keep following the highway. Take the exit for City Centre before an overpass onto Cathedral Ave. Turn right to go over the overpass and continue for another 1.1km and Francis Xavier Cathedral is on the left at Maitland St.
