Old Saint Mary's & Monastery 1840

Image : Sydney Archdiocesan Archives

This engraved sketch was drawn in Hyde Park in or shortly after 1840.  The image was recently reproduced in a special bi-centenary edition of The Catholic Weekly. 

Engraved by William Baker of King Street, Sydney, it is a quite accurate depiction of the Cathedral precinct at that time.  

Standing at the fence of Hyde Park and centrally positioned, are two figures in black, who are Benedictine monks; their religious habit is shewn very clearly.  On the left of the image is depicted the buildings commenced by Father Therry for a residence, schoolhouse and chapel, but which were subsequently used for the Benedictine Monastery.  Between these buildings and the Cathedral, is a small market garden and a figure can just be made out at work there.  

The engraving, in the collections of the Sydney Archdiocesan Archives, was photographed by Giovanni Portelli and digitally enhanced for presentation in this post. 

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

AMDG.