St Patrick's Seminary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Patrick's Seminary
St Patrick's Seminary viewed from the front
Location	151 Darley Road, Manly, Northern Beaches Council, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	33°48′14″S 151°17′38″E / 33.8039884°S 151.2938692°E / -33.8039884; 151.2938692
Founders	Archbishops of Sydney Roger Vaughan and Patrick Cardinal Moran
Established	23 January 1889
Named for	St Patrick
Architect	Joseph Sheerin and John Hennessy Scott Green & Scott Sydney G. Hirst & Kennedy
Architectural style	Perpendicular Gothic
Status	Closed (November 1995)
Gender	Male only
Map
Location in Sydney, Australia

St Patrick's Seminary in Manly is a historic building in Australia. It used to be a home for the Archbishop of Sydney and a training school for Catholic priests. The official name is St Patrick's Seminary, Manly. People also called it St Patrick's Estate or Cardinal's Palace.

The building was designed by several architects, including Sheerin & Hennessy. It was built between 1885 and 1889. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney owns the property. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 January 2011.

The seminary operated from 1889 until 1995. After that, the teaching part moved to Strathfield. Since 1996, the Manly property has been home to the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS). The large estate also includes a high school, homes, an old convent, and a children's hospice.

What is St Patrick's Seminary Now?

The buildings on the campus are now used by the International College of Management, Sydney. This college offers university-level courses.

The Cardinal Cerretti Chapel is still used for weddings. Receptions often happen in the Great Hall or Grand Dining Room nearby. You might recognize the building from the 2013 movie, The Great Gatsby. It was used as the outside of Gatsby's mansion. The palm trees were removed digitally to make it look like the East Coast, United States.

The History of St Patrick's Seminary

The idea for the seminary came from Archbishops Roger Vaughan and Patrick Francis Moran. It was built from 1885 in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. The location is amazing, overlooking the Tasman Sea in Manly.

The seminary opened on 23 January 1889. It was meant to be a national seminary for all of Australia. However, it never quite achieved that goal.

Many important people studied here. Patrick Joseph Hartigan, a famous poet, was an early student. Author Thomas Keneally also studied here. Two of his first novels are set in a fictional version of the seminary. Even former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was once a seminarian here.

By 1989, 1,714 men had become priests after training at the college. This includes several important Catholic leaders, like Cardinals Gilroy and Clancy.

The seminary closed in November 1995. This happened because fewer students were joining. Also, the Church decided to move the seminary closer to the center of Sydney.

Early Land Grants and Planning

The first land grants in Manly happened in 1810. Later, land for the Archbishop's home was taken from a Quarantine Station area.

In 1850, land was set aside for the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney's residence. After some delays, 60 acres of land were requested in 1859. This land was next to the Quarantine Reserve.

The government approved the land grant. An educational purpose was added to the grant. The Church thought the isolated but close-to-Sydney location was perfect for serious study.

St Patrick's seminary in 1900

In 1885, plans for the seminary were drawn up. Construction began in June 1885. The foundation stone was laid on 19 November 1885. The opening ceremony was on 23 January 1889. This grand building cost 70,000 pounds to build. Cardinal Patrick Moran was the main person behind its construction. His initials can be seen in many parts of the building.

The building of the college happened during Manly's first small building boom. Many workers were on site. They even had trouble finding good stone for the building.

The Archbishop's Residence was built a bit earlier. It cost 10,500 pounds. Problems with its sandstone led to a different quarry being used for the college.

Manly Council later asked for some land near Shelly Beach for public use. This meant the Church gave up some land. In return, the Church received more land from the Quarantine Reserve.

Changes and Additions Over Time

Between 1900 and 1907, the Church bought more small land lots.

A strip of land 66 feet wide was set aside for the extension of Darley Road. This happened in 1879. The road was built during World War I. In return for the land, the Army built stone walls along Darley Road. These walls are still an important part of the landscape.

Around 1910, a recreation room was built. It had billiard tables and a gym. This building is now called the Cardinal Freeman Pastoral Centre. Basketball and handball courts were also built around this time.

The college in 1931

By 1914, the cost of maintaining the buildings was high. So, a special law was passed in 1914. This law allowed the Church to divide about 21 acres of land near Shelly Beach into smaller lots. These lots were leased out to earn money.

More construction happened between 1934 and 1936. The Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel was built. It was opened on 17 November 1935. The Convent was also built in 1934. A large extension was added to the eastern wing of the college in 1935. This added two more levels for student rooms.

After World War II, more buildings were added. Kelly House was built in 1954 for living spaces. A swimming pool was built in 1956. Gilroy House opened in 1961. St. Paul's High School was built around 1967.

In 1975, the Church gave a part of the foreshore area to Manly Council. This created a public walkway.

In 1993, the Church announced that the Seminary would leave the Manly site in 1995.

After the Seminary Moved Out

At the end of 1995, the Seminary moved. Between December 1995 and May 1996, the college buildings were repaired and updated. They were then leased to the International College of Tourism and Hotel Management. This new college opened in May 1996.

Some religious items, like statues and stained glass windows, were moved with the Seminary.

Recent developments on the site include:

• Building new homes and apartments.
• Construction of Bear Cottage Hospice for Children in 2001. This is a special place for children.

Buildings and Features

The Archbishop's Residence

This building was completed in 1886. It was the first large structure on the site. It is a great example of the Gothic Revival style. It has two floors of stone with a slate roof. The cast iron verandahs have Cardinal Moran's initials.

Inside, the wood, flooring, and stained glass windows are very high quality. The dining room and a special "Council" room have beautiful details.

The Archbishop's Residence and the Seminary were once connected by a road. Over time, some parts have been changed, but the main structure is still there.

St. Patrick's Seminary

St Patrick's Seminary

The seminary as viewed from a distance

The seminary was designed by Sheerin and Hennessy. It was built between 1885 and 1889. This stone building is four stories high. It has a six-level central bell tower and a slate roof. It is very impressive and well-built in the Perpendicular Gothic style.

The sandstone used is excellent quality. The building was designed with modern plumbing and a service lift. The design is simple but uses good materials like sandstone, slate, and marble.

The entrance hall and "cloisters" have beautiful ceilings and stained glass windows. They lead to a grand stone staircase. The Library, Refectory, and Lecture Rooms are large and detailed. They can even connect with large doors.

The upper floors had small rooms for the seminarians. Around 1970, these were changed into private rooms with bathrooms.

The Seminary stopped using this building in 1995. It is now used by the International College of Tourism and Hotel Management.

Cardinal Freeman Pastoral Centre

This building was originally a recreation center. It was built in 1910. It is a single-story building made of sandstone with a slate roof. It had a gym and two billiard rooms for the students.

Around 1970, it was changed to have teaching areas. In 1996, it was repaired and adapted for a student kitchen, bar, and lounge.

The Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel

The Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel

This chapel was built later, in 1934-35. It matches the Gothic style of the Seminary. It was designed by Hennessy, Hennessy & Co. The chapel has a tall, open space inside with a vaulted ceiling. It features beautiful wood, marble, and stained glass windows.

The St Therese's Convent

This building was designed in 1934. It provided accommodation for a group of nuns. It is two stories high with rendered walls and stone details. It has a copper tower and a large archway.

Today, the convent is the main office for the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS).

St. Paul's College

This college complex was built over ten years, from 1964 to 1974. These buildings are made with concrete and brick. They provide classrooms and facilities for staff and students.

Heritage Significance

St Patrick's Estate is very important to the history of New South Wales and Australia. The buildings and grounds from 1885-1935 are one of Australia's most outstanding college sites. It is known for its completeness, grand size, and amazing location.

It was Australia's first national Catholic seminary. At the time, it was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It was also the official home for the Archbishop for almost a century. The college and the Archbishop's Residence show Cardinal Moran's plans for the Catholic Church in Australia.

St Patrick's Estate is a beautiful example of Victorian Gothic architecture. The location of the buildings, their style, and their size are impressive. They show the Catholic Church's desire to build grand structures. The college physically stands out in the landscape of North Head.

The design of the buildings shows its role as a seminary. The layout was made to encourage a religious life. The college is important to Australian Catholics. It symbolizes the training of Australian-born priests. It is also a well-known landmark in Manly.

The seminary buildings were physically isolated on the Manly site. This reflected the Church's views in the late 1800s. Changes over the 1900s show how society and culture changed. The estate has a strong connection with the natural environment of North Head.

St Patricks Estate was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 January 2011.

Historical Importance

St. Patrick's College was the first National Catholic seminary in Australia. It shows the history of Catholicism in Australia. The site has a complete seminary complex that grew over 100 years. Its layout and plants show 19th-century planning for a large institution.

Association with Important People

The site's development is closely linked to Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran. He wanted to establish a strong Catholic presence in Australia. The site is also connected to all Archbishops of Sydney, especially Kelly and Gilroy. Many important clergy who taught or studied here are also associated with the site.

Cardinal Moran hosted the first Australasian Catholic Congress at St Patrick's, Manly, in 1900. The architects, Sheerin and Hennessy, were very important. They designed many major religious buildings.

Aesthetic and Creative Importance

The buildings and grounds from 1885-1935 form one of Australia's most outstanding college groups. It is unmatched in its completeness, grandeur, and amazing location.

This site has a beautiful natural setting. It has man-made terraces overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour. The buildings show great design and construction. They reflect the architectural styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a very good example of a purpose-built group of buildings.

The use of the Gothic style was common for religious and educational buildings in the 19th century. St. Patrick's Estate looks largely unchanged. This is because the college and chapel are so large. They stand out against the coast and nearby suburbs.

The Archbishop's Residence and its grounds are a good example of a Victorian coastal home. Its design shows how it was placed to get great views of the Harbour. The gardens also show classical design ideas.

As a major group of sandstone buildings, St Patrick's College and the Archbishop's Residence show high quality craftsmanship. They used local sandstone. The buildings were designed with good natural light, ventilation, and fire safety.

Social and Cultural Importance

The combination of Gothic architecture and beautiful settings shows the moral and architectural purity of Catholicism in Australia. The seminary's function shows a specific way of life central to Catholicism.

St Patrick's College, Manly, shows the Catholic Church's desire for its buildings to be a public symbol of Catholicism. The Manly community values St Patrick's Estate for its landmark qualities and open spaces. Its location and the prominence of Moran House and the Chapel make it a landmark.

St Patrick's Estate is socially important to the Catholic Community of Australia. It trained priests for over one hundred years. The estate was established when Manly was a new town. The wider community sees St Patrick's College Estate as a key part of Manly.

Research Potential

Studying the Estate and St Patrick's College further could help us understand the history of Manly and the Catholic Church in New South Wales. There is also potential for archaeological remains from earlier uses of the Estate.

Rare and Unique Aspects

St Patrick's Estate is rare in Australia. It is the only group of college and church buildings in such a prominent coastal location. The buildings and grounds from 1885-1935 are one of Australia's most outstanding college groups. Cardinal Moran's grand vision was rarely attempted elsewhere in Australia.

Other colleges like Ormond College in Melbourne are similar in size. However, they do not have the same amazing setting.

Key Characteristics

St Patrick's Estate was the first National Catholic seminary in NSW. It shows the Catholic Church's goals in training priests for over 100 years.