Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton is a heritage-listed Anglican Cathedral in Geraldton, Western Australia.[1] Consecrated in 1964, it is in active use, and is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia.[2][3]

Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, Geraldton
Map
28°46′44″S 114°36′53″E / 28.778928°S 114.614597°E / -28.778928; 114.614597
LocationGeraldton, Western Australia
Address101 Cathedral Ave, Geraldton WA 6530
CountryAustralia
DenominationAnglican Church of Australia
ChurchmanshipLow church, Evangelical
WebsiteGeraldton Anglicans
History
StatusCathedral
Consecrated8 March 1964
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationState Register of Heritage Places
Designated25 June 2004
Architect(s)Ean McDonald & Edwin Whitaker
Architectural typeCathedral
StylePost-War Ecclesiastical
Years built1963-1964
Administration
ProvinceWestern Australia
DioceseNorth West Australia
Clergy
Bishop(s)Darrell Parker
DeanLachlan Edwards
Official nameAnglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross
TypeState Registered Place
Criteria11.1., 11.2., 11.4., 12.1., 12.2., 12.3, 12.4., 12.5.
Designated25 June 2004
Reference no.13227

History

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When the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia was established in 1910, Broome was designated as the See town, with Geraldton still remaining part of the Diocese of Perth.[4] Initial plans were to construct a cathedral in Broome, with the Anglican Church of the Annunciation serving as the pro-cathedral until a permanent cathedral could be built.

However, in 1928, Geraldton and its surrounding territories were transferred from the Diocese of Perth to the North West. Subsequently, the diocesan headquarters were moved from Broome to Geraldton in 1935.[4] Later, following the formalisation of the diocesan boundaries by the WA Parliament through the Church of England (Northern Diocese) Act in 1961, and the first synod of the diocese, Geraldton replaced Broome as the diocesan See town.[5]

Construction

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In 1960–1961, plans were undertaken to establish a new cathedral in Geraldton. Architects Ean McDonald and Edwin Whitaker from Perth were commissioned for the design, and the contract for the construction was awarded to the Geraldton Building Company in 1962.[6][4] The total cost of the project was approximately £80,000, including furnishings.[7][4]

Description

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The cathedral is a rare and "...excellent example of the Post-War Ecclesiastical style of architecture featuring an unorthodox plan form, impressive monumentality, simple and functional finishings and decorative stained glass windows."[8]

Additionally, the cathedral incorporates four stones from various English cathedrals. A stone from Westminster Abbey (1065), a stone from the Canterbury Cathedral (1070), a stone from the Lincoln Cathedral (1092), and marble from the reredos of St Paul's Cathedral (1697).[8]

Stained Glass

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The cathedral "is renowned for having one of the largest areas of stained glass windows in Australia."[9] Designed by Carl Edwards in London, and constructed locally in Western Australia by Gowers & Brown, the cathedral features seven windows each on the north and south side of the nave, and one window on the eastern wall of its upstairs chapel.[8]

Seven windows on the north side of the cathedral depict the events of Christmas, Epiphany, the Crucifixion, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and the Trinity. Seven windows on the south side of the cathedral depict significant biblical and church history figures. Biblical figures depicted include Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Stephen and the apostle Paul. Figures from church history include Saint Alban, Augustine of Canterbury, and Saint Boniface; as well as figures important to the Anglican tradition including Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, and George Herbert.[8] The east window is based on Genesis 1:1-3, depicting the creation of the heavens and the earth.

Deans

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The following individuals have served as Deans of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross:[4]

No Name Start End Notes
1 Leslie Wilson 1964 1965
2 Gerard Dickinson 1966 1969
3 Brian Kyme 1969 1974 Later Assistant Bishop of Perth (1982–1999).
4 Eric Kerr 1975 1985
5 Alan Lewis 1985 1989
6 Dennis Reynolds 1989 1992
7 Dennis Warburton 1992 1995
8 Kenneth Rogers 1995 2002
9 Jeremy Rice 2006 2014
10 Peter Grice 2015 2020 Afterwards Bishop of Rockhampton (2021).[10]
11 Lachlan Edwards 2022 Present Previously Rector of Christ Church, Lavender Bay.[11]
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton". National Trust of Australia. National Trust of Western Australia. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  2. ^ Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Geraldton, W.A.) (1964), The consecration of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Cross, Geraldton, The Church, retrieved 17 October 2023
  3. ^ Christ Church (Geraldton, W.A.); Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Geraldton, W.A.); Anglican Church of Australia. Western Australian records 1834-2003 (1860), Records, 1860-1987, retrieved 17 October 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b c d e Martin, Gary; Harris, Khim (2022), Boldly proclaiming Christ : a history of Geraldton Anglican Cathedral, Anglican Church Nort West Australia, retrieved 5 August 2024
  5. ^ Parliament of Western Australia. Church of England (Northern Diocese) Act. 1961.
  6. ^ Williams, A.E. (1989). West Anglican Way :the growth of the Anglican Church in Western Australia from its early beginnings. Western Australia: Province of Western Australia of the Anglican Church of Australia. ISBN 0731668014.
  7. ^ "IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA THIS WEEK Row Over Council Land Sale". The Canberra Times. Vol. 38, no. 10, 796. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 14 March 1964. p. 2. Retrieved 19 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ a b c d Register of Heritage Places - Assessment Documentation: Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton. inHerit (WA). 25 June 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  9. ^ Discover WA Archived 3 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Henderson-Brooks, Tom (18 July 2020). "Episcopal Announcement" (PDF). Anglican Church Central Queensland. Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  11. ^ "New Dean of Geraldton". Anglican Diocese of North West Australia. 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2024-07-30.

Further reading

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Geraldton Anglican Cathedral (2018). Cathedral Tour Guide.

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  Media related to Holy Cross Anglican cathedral, Geraldton at Wikimedia Commons