St Mary's Church, Williamstown

St Mary's Church, officially the Church of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception, is a Roman Catholic church located in Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1]

St Mary's Catholic Church
Church of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Map
37°51′50″S 144°54′04″E / 37.8638°S 144.9011°E / -37.8638; 144.9011
Address116 Cecil Street, Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria
CountryAustralia
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.melbcatholic.org/s/williamstown
History
StatusChurch
DedicationMary, mother of Jesus
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)
Architectural typeChurch
StyleGothic Revival
Years built1854 – 1933
Specifications
Length18 metres (60 ft)
Number of spires1
MaterialsBluestone
Administration
ArchdioceseMelbourne
ParishWilliamstown
Clergy
Priest(s)Greg Trythall

History

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Originally constructed in the early 19th century, St Mary's was the second Catholic church to be constructed in the Port Phillip District of New South Wales (which would later become part of the colony of Victoria).[2]

There have been a total of three structures located on the site, the first being a timber chapel, later being replaced by an earlier stone structure c. 1870.[3] Later, a larger stone structure was built, which still stands on the site today, as designed by William Wardell, whose plans at one stage were lost.[4]

Initially designed to incorporate a steeple, the plans were modified by the archdiocese at the time, allowing for the construction of St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne.

In 1933, the spire, transepts, sanctuary, side chapels and sacristy were added in accordance to the original design of W. P. Connolly.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ "Church of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception". GCatholic.org. 2023. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Advertising". Williamstown Chronicle (Vic. : 1856 - 1954). Vic.: National Library of Australia. 6 December 1856. p. 1. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  3. ^ Rider, Andrew (1940), Roman Catholic Church, retrieved 23 March 2015
  4. ^ "Williamstown, VIC - St Mary's Catholic". Australian Christian Church Histories. 2023. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  5. ^ "St Mary's Catholic Church Williamstown". Organ Historical Trust of Australia. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015.
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