St Michael's Cathedral, Wollongong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael's Cathedral |
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| Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel | |
St Michael's Cathedral, pictured in 2009
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| 34°25′25″S 150°53′42″E / 34.4236536676°S 150.8951223600°E | |
| Location | 74 Church Street, Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Denomination | Anglican Church of Australia |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St Michael's Church |
| Status | |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Dedication | Saint Michael the Archangel |
| Dedicated | 1847 (in Corrimal Street) |
| Consecrated |
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| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Edmund Blacket |
| Style | Victorian Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1858–1859 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone; timber |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Sydney |
St Michael's Cathedral is an important Anglican church located in Wollongong, Australia. It is the main Anglican church in the city. It also serves as the "mother-church" for the Bishop of Wollongong. The famous architect Edmund Blacket designed the building, which was constructed between 1858 and 1859. This historic building is owned by the Anglican Church Property Trust. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999, which means it's a protected historical site.
Contents
History of St Michael's Cathedral
Early Days in Wollongong
Long before Europeans arrived, Aboriginal communities lived in the Wollongong area. The first Europeans came in 1796. In the early 1800s, people started cutting cedar trees from the Illawarra escarpment rainforests. This was the first European industry in the area.
In 1815, Dr Charles Throsby used the grassy areas of Illawarra for his cattle. This opened the region for more European settlers. The first settlement in what is now Wollongong was started by Charles Throsby Smith in 1822. His barn near Wollongong harbour became the first school in 1826 and then a church in 1828.
In 1834, the town of Wollongong was planned. The Surveyor General, Major Thomas Mitchell, designed the town. He made sure that land was set aside for the Church of England. The spot where St Michael's Cathedral now stands was meant to be the very center of the new town.
Building St Michael's Church
The original St Michael's Church was built in 1859. It was designed by Edmund Blacket for a small church community. They hoped the community would grow a lot. St Michael's has been a key part of Wollongong's growth. It has been a center for community activities as the town became a large city.
In the 1880s, Wollongong grew even more. The railway connecting the area to Sydney opened in 1888. This railway helped Wollongong ship milk, coal, and coke to Sydney. This greatly increased the city's potential.
In 1892, a new leader, Reverend Elder, arrived. People wanted a rectory (a house for the church leader) built on the church site. Even though times were tough, the church built the rectory in 1893–1894.
Around 1900, Wollongong's population grew rapidly. In 1902, a terrible mining accident happened at Mount Kembla mine. Ninety-six men and boys died. A special funeral was held at St Michael's for Major MacCabe, who died trying to save miners. This disaster led to changes in mining safety.
Reverend D'Arcy Irvine took over in 1907. He helped the church grow and encouraged new parishes to form. He was a popular leader and left Wollongong with a large congregation.
In 1908, a new Church Hall was built on the site. This hall was well-made and matched the church's style. It helped the church by providing more space for activities. The rectory also got new technologies like a telephone in 1907 and town water in 1909.
In 1909, the church sold some land to the city. They used the money to make "extensive alterations" inside St Michael's. This included raising the east end of the church and adding new furniture.
By 1922, Wollongong was set to become a very large city. The Archbishop wanted a strong leader for the church during this growth. Reverend Knox was chosen, and he started building a second hall on the site.
Between 1900 and 1920, the Illawarra region grew a lot. The population of the area that is now Wollongong city became very large.
In the 1940s, sandstone fences and walls were built around the church as a memorial. Portable sandstone benches were also placed in the garden. In 1958, for the church's 100th anniversary, improvements were made, and a curate's cottage was built.
Wollongong grew incredibly fast after World War II. By 1961, it was one of Australia's largest cities. In 1962, the role of Archdeacon became a separate position. The church also started working with the local court and opened a drop-in center.
In 1963, some of the church's land was leased for a service station. This changed the original town plan for the area. In 1967, more work was done on the church buildings. A kindergarten extension was added to the 1925 hall.
St Michael's Becomes a Pro-Cathedral
In 1970, St Michael's was officially named a "pro-cathedral." A pro-cathedral is a church that serves temporarily as a cathedral. This means it acts as the main church for a bishop, even if it's not a full cathedral yet.
In the 1980s, the church faced security issues. The rector had to move off-site. There were many ideas for new buildings on the site. These included a new, modern cathedral and commercial developments. The church wanted a new building that felt more like a cathedral.
In 1988, a special order was placed to protect St Michael's Cathedral as a historic site. This means that any changes to the site need approval from the Heritage Council. The church then created a Conservation Management Plan. This plan helps guide how the historic church building should be managed and cared for.
The old wooden floor of the church was replaced in 1987. You can still see parts of the old, rotted structure in the south porch. In the 1980s, camellia plants were added around the cathedral walls. These plants remember past church members.
Today, the church does not allow new memorials to be placed in the cathedral grounds.
About the Cathedral Building
The Site and Location
St Michael's Cathedral is located on a hilltop. This means you can see it from far away along Market Street. The original town plan made the church site the main focal point.
The site also includes other buildings. There's a student residence on the west side. On the north side are the 1925 hall and the 1908 hall, which are now church offices. The cathedral itself is on the east side, facing Church Street. To the south-east, there's a garden with lawns and mature trees like Cook's pine and Port Jackson fig. The 1892 Rectory is in the middle of the south side, also surrounded by lawns.
The Church Building
The building we now call St Michael's Cathedral was first built in 1859 as a church. It's a beautiful stone Gothic building. Edmund Blacket designed it to stand out on the hilltop in Wollongong. It has a Victorian Gothic Revival style. Some parts of its design, like the bellcote (a small bell tower) and its very balanced layout, were special for Blacket's designs at that time.
The church is very symmetrical, with balanced porches and transepts (the parts that stick out on the sides). It has seven sections, each about 3.6 meters (12 feet) long. The octagonal bellcote makes it different from other churches Blacket designed.
The outside sandstone is in great condition. Inside, the floors are made of wood. The walls are mostly rough stone, showing they weren't meant to be covered. The roof trusses (support beams) rest on stone brackets. The windows have beautiful stained glass with Gothic designs. The doors are made of timber and fit the Gothic arches. The roof is made of slate.
Other Buildings on Site
Other important buildings on the site include:
- The Rectory (built 1892)
- The 1908 Hall
- The 1925 Hall
- The Curate's Residence (built 1958)
- The Kindergarten (built 1967)
These halls are especially important because they work together with the cathedral. They create a strong historical look for the area.
Heritage Importance
St Michael's Cathedral stands out in Wollongong. Its important location shows how the Church of England helped shape the community in the past. The building itself and how the site has developed show the church's long-lasting impact. As the main church for the bishop in Wollongong, it shows the region's importance to the state.
The leaders and members of St Michael's have always been closely connected to the leaders of the Wollongong community. Many rectors of St Michael's have also overseen church activities in the wider Illawarra region.
St Michael's has strong ties to the national leaders of the Church of England. Many Archbishops and Bishops have shown special interest in St Michael's. This has made the church a strong center for the Evangelical tradition within the Anglican Church.
Edmund Blacket's design for St Michael's is unique. It's one of his early works where he started to show his own architectural style. The church building is still mostly as it was built. Its design is a high-quality example of a Gothic parish church with a very planned and symmetrical layout. Its quality shows the hopeful spirit of the community in 1858. The church is part of a group of important buildings in Wollongong. This group is one of the most prominent historical sites in the city.
St Michael's Cathedral in Wollongong was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
See also
- List of Anglican cathedrals in Australia
- List of Edmund Blacket buildings
