Historic Images of Sydney's Catholic Cathedrals : 5

We continue our series of historic photographs commemorating the bi-centenary of Saint Mary's Cathedral (1821-2021).

In our previous articles, we posted photographs illustrating the earliest stages of the construction of the present Saint Mary's Cathedral :

1871 

1882

1883

1886

The photograph posted above was taken after work was completed on the next phase of building the Cathedral, continuing from where construction was brought to a close in 1882.   Within months of his arrival from Ireland in 1884, Archbishop Patrick Francis Moran, collaborating with Sydney's Catholic leaders, had initiated a further phase of construction, namely the completion of the Northern facade of the Cathedral, in accordance with the design of the architect, William Wardell.  This work was carried out in 1885 and included the installation of the magnificent window behind the High altar, manufactured in the United Kingdom.  

The photograph was taken from the opposite angle to that shewn in our previous post.  It was taken looking south-east from  the corner of Macquarie Street and Prince Albert Road.   

The lofty stone wall of the completed Northern facade can be seen on the left, but without any supporting roof structure beyond it.  At that time, there was a but a temporary roof over the sanctuary; exposed timber beams can be seen.

Just right of the centre of the photograph can be seen the stone walls of the western transept, at that time raised to the height of the Rose window.  Beyond this, to the right, can be seen the remnant facade of Old Saint Mary's, destroyed by fire in 1865.

This photograph pre-dates the introduction of trams in central Sydney and along the footpath skirting Hyde Park can be seen a row of Hansom cabs, waiting to take passengers to their destinations.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Digital art by the Saint Bede Studio.

AMDG

NOTES

The photographs in this series are taken from a variety of sources, some in online Archival collections, some from books, some original images in the editor's collection.  They are presented here in a "modernised" digital form, and with as much detail of the structure of the Cathedrals enhanced in order to make them more accessible to a new generation of Australian Catholics.  The original image on which this digital rendering is based is held by the State Archives of NSW.  Please do not reproduce these unique images without permission.