James Dempsey (builder) facts for kids

James Dempsey was an important figure in early Australia. He was sent from Ireland after a big uprising in 1798. He became known for starting the first Roman Catholic community in Australia. He also played a huge part in building the first Catholic cathedral there.

Early Life in Ireland

James Dempsey's life was split into two main parts. He spent his first 33 years in Ireland. The next 36 years were spent in New South Wales, Australia. There, he became a respected builder. He was also a very dedicated member of the Catholic community.

Dempsey came from County Wexford in Ireland. He was born around 1768 or 1769. We know this because his grave marker in Australia said he was 69 when he died in 1838. Most of what we know about his time in Ireland comes from his trial records in 1799.

James Dempsey joined the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This was a fight by Irish people against British rule. He took part in a battle called Battle of Vinegar Hill. He was hurt badly in his shoulder during another fight. In 1799, he faced charges related to the rebellion. He was found not guilty of other serious accusations. However, he was sentenced to be sent away for life as a rebel.

Dempsey sailed to Australia on a ship called the 'Atlas'. It left Ireland in July 1802 and arrived in Sydney in October. He traveled alone, without his family.

A New Start in Sydney (1806-1825)

A surviving part of the Rum Hospital, now called the Sydney Mint.

By 1806, records show James Dempsey was working in Sydney. He was still a prisoner at Dawes Point Battery.

By 1810, Dempsey was in charge of government stonemasons. This means he likely had building skills from Ireland. He worked on a stone bridge over the Tank Stream in 1811. From 1812 to 1815, he led the builders for the Sydney Hospital. Parts of this hospital are now Parliament House and the Sydney Mint.

Governor Macquarie officially pardoned Dempsey in 1814. After this, Dempsey became a private builder. He also started buying and selling land.

Dempsey had many friends and connections in Sydney. He helped manage the affairs of other Irishmen.

He also tried different types of businesses. In 1816, he sold imported rum. In 1823, he bid for a government contract for salt pork. In 1824, he sold Catholic books. He continued to use his stone carving skills. In 1815, he was paid a large sum for carving an inscription. This was for the new Military Barracks near his home.

Building the Catholic Community and St Mary's Cathedral

The original St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney around 1870.

A stone pillar at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. This is the only part left from the first St Mary's Cathedral.

James Dempsey was a very important and religious member of the Catholic community in Sydney. Before Father Jeremiah Francis O'Flynn arrived in 1817, Catholic people met at Dempsey's house. They would pray and sing together. Some historians believe this was Australia's first Christian community.

Father O'Flynn was a Catholic priest who visited Sydney without permission. He stayed for about six months in 1817-1818. When he was sent away, he left behind a consecrated host. This is a very sacred item in the Catholic faith. It is believed that James Dempsey, or another Catholic named William Davis, protected this host. Later accounts from people who were children near Dempsey's house said the host was kept there. It was watched over by Catholic men. It is now thought that a French priest consumed the host in 1819.

After 1820, Dempsey worked closely with Father Therry. They worked together to build a proper chapel for Catholic worship. The spot for what became St Mary's Cathedral was chosen by James Meehan. He was also sent from Ireland for supporting the 1798 rebellion.

Dempsey was a key member of the committee that raised money for the chapel. Father Therry was not good with money. In 1823, when there was no money to pay the workers, Dempsey paid them himself for a while. Experts say that without Dempsey, the first St Mary's Cathedral might not have been finished.

To try and raise more money, Dempsey traveled to Calcutta, India, in 1825. He returned the next year. The trip cost more than the small donations he collected in India.

Dempsey eventually returned to Sydney in 1831. He had the joy of seeing St. Mary's Cathedral completed. He attended the first mass there on Christmas Day 1833. He stayed on the committee to raise funds for the church's inside decorations. He also saw the arrival of Bishop Polding in 1835.

By this time, Dempsey was in his mid-60s. He moved from his Kent Street house to a smaller place in Clarence Street in 1836. His health began to fail. He made his will in January 1838.

James Dempsey's funeral was held at St Mary's. He was buried in the Devonshire Street Cemetery on February 12. His funeral notice called him "a Builder in this Town for many years." His grave marker was moved in 1901 when the cemetery closed. This was to make way for Central railway station. The words on his grave were copied before it was destroyed in the 1980s.