The first Mass celebrated in Bathurst was in 1830 by Fr John Therry, then another in 1836 by Dr Ullathorne. In 1838, two priests – Fr Michael O’Reilly and Fr Thomas Slattery – were posted to Bathurst. In 1841, Bathurst’s parish boundaries were described as ”bounded on the east by the district of Penrith; on the south east and south by Goulburn and Yass, and the west and north its limits are undefined”. Masses were celebrated in the Bathurst Court House, and then in a slab-hut ‘chapel’ in Durham Street. A church, St Michael’s, was built on the corner of George and Keppel Streets and remained in use until 1861.

Dean John Grant, having arrived in Bathurst in 1853, immediately commenced the collection for a new Church, with plans prepared by Edward Gell. The Foundation Stone was laid on 30 November 1857, by Archbishop Polding, and the Church was opened on 11 April 1861. On 29 June 1865, Archbishop Polding blessed and dedicated the new Church. With the formation of the new Diocese in 1865, the Church became a Cathedral.

The Sanctuary and Nun’s Chapel were added in 1897, and opened by Cardinal Moran. The Sacristy was added by Bishop O’Farrell in 1922. In the 1960s, extensions and renovations were undertaken in preparation for the Centenary Celebrations. A new Consecration Stone was laid on 23 August 1962 by Cardinal Gilroy, and the Official Opening of the extensions took place in I965. 

Further remedial work took place in the 1980s. In 2010, a major restoration project commenced, to repair and restore foundations, walls, electrics, plumbing and drainage and to beautify the surroundings. The restoration project was completed in 2021.