Restoration appeal
You still have the opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation to the Cathedral Restoration Project by donating online via bpay today please click here.
The initial building work on the Cathedral commenced in 1857 and completed in 1861. The Cathedral was dedicated in 1865. The renewed Cathedral of St Michael and St John, Bathurst reopened on Tuesday 23 March 2021.
The restoration of the Cathedral is a momentous occasion in the history of the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst. This is the most significant restoration project in the lifetime of the building, taking more than eight years to complete. The Cathedral has stood at the heart of the Bathurst community and in the centre of religious life for the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst, in particular the Cathedral Parish, for nearly 160 years and is significant to the cultural heritage of NSW.
The reopening celebrations were a time to give thanks to God for the efforts of many who have worked passionately to preserve the Cathedral whose history reflects that of the community; rich and layered. It’s been a place of faith, hope, solace and love and witnessed generations of families pass through its doors.
But the work is not quite complete. The last major task to currently be tackled is the heating system, which is the focus of the current fundraising effort.
Sponsor programs for some of the identifiable components of the interior renovations and landscape enhancements are available for items such as the large deciduous trees; the sandstone entry pillars and the outdoor liturgical gathering space.
The generations before us have built and cared for this place. Now it is our turn.
You can support the Cathedral Restoration Appeal by donating online via bpay today please click here.
Cathedral Restoration Timeline
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Restoration Project detail
A series of videos have been created to help tell the story of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John. You can leary about the history of the Cathedral and take a tour of the Cathedral with master stone mason, Ron Lodewijks:
Partners in the restoring the Cathedral of St Michael and St John
The Cathedral Restoration Fundraising Committee acknowledges the generous support of CKM Law, Raine & Horne Bathurst, Westfund and Stereo 2BS/B-ROCK as Visionary Partners of the Cathedral Restoration Appeal.