St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney
St Mary's Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and the largest church building in Australia. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady Help of Christians, patroness of Australia, it is a soaring example of English Gothic Revival architecture in honey-colored Sydney sandstone, set in its own grounds beside Hyde Park in the heart of the city.
The present cathedral, designed by William Wardell, rose after fire destroyed an earlier church on the site; its foundation stone was laid in 1868, though the twin southern spires were not added until 2000, finally completing the architect's vision more than a century later. The interior features a magnificent vaulted nave, stained-glass windows, and a crypt with a terrazzo mosaic floor depicting the Creation.
As the senior Catholic cathedral in Australia, St Mary's has hosted papal visits and major national celebrations. Each Christmas its facade becomes the canvas for a popular light-and-sound display, drawing thousands of visitors to the precinct, while regular Masses and choral services continue within.
- Location
- -33.8711, 151.2133
- Local time
- 08:36 (Australia/Sydney)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Fri | 06:30–18:30 |
| Sat–Sun | 06:30–19:00 |
Free entry; photography not allowed during Mass; free guided tours Sundays 2pm
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Our Lady Help of Christians (Virgin Mary) Saint
Cathedral dedicated to Mary under this title, patroness of Australia
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Saint Mary MacKillop Saint
Australia's first saint; closely associated with Sydney, venerated in the cathedral
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Saint Patrick Saint
Honoured in the heavily Irish-Catholic foundation; depicted in stained glass
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Saint Joseph Saint
Dedicated chapel/altar in the cathedral
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Saint Therese of Lisieux Saint
Venerated with a shrine/devotion in the cathedral
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The Sacred Heart of Jesus Saint
Dedicated chapel within the cathedral
Care & donations
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney
Free entry; donations accepted
Official website →The candle wall
42 candles burning now · 150 places
08:36
Tap an empty holder to light your own candle · €2.00 · hover a flame to see its intention