Cathedrals / Churches, Sydney

Favorite thing: St. Mary's is a large cathedral designed and decorated to European standards. See the travelogue for more pictures. Its quite a large cathedral, but had a large section under maintenance while I was there.

Fondest memory: I didn't like having to pay A$2 to take pictures, but it beat the one in Antwerp where you need to pay two euros to even visit. As a practicing Catholic, I feel I should have access to our churches pretty much anywhere I go, but in Sydney, its free if you just want to pray and not take any pictures.

Fondest memory: One of the reasons i booked myself at Harbour City Hotel was its proximity to St. Mary's Cathedral. At that time i did not know that besides being a landmark it is also historically regarded as the mother church of Australian Catholicism!

As a catholic and away from home, i always started my day everyday visiting this historic church to say my prayers for safety throughout the day. My sense of belongingness owing to my faith somehow gave me extra confidence and security while exploring Sydney.

The church housed a crypt famous for its mosaic floors and conducts Sunday tours after mass at noon. Part of my souvenir was a silver-coated rosary beads bought from their store (but made in Ireland) and a photo taken inside, although unknowingly, it is prohibited to do so without permission and for a minimal fee/donation.

It is located along College St. opposite Hyde Park and closest to St. James subway station.

Fondest memory: If you are a Christian or someone searching then Hillsong is a lively, friendly, deeply moving church. They will happily welcome you and answer any questions you have.

There are 3 churches in Sydney and there are curtesy buses from certain parts of Sydney.

Favorite thing: Around the area of Macquarie and College Street in Sydney, there are one too many sandstones buildings. Here u have the museums, galleries, even a very old established Sydney Grammjar school (hence the name College St)/ Here lies also the St Mary's Cathedral which was built in 1865 on the site of the first Catholic Chapel in Australia.

It is neo Gothic style is constructed from local sandstone. The church looks refreshed with the spires at the front of the Cathedral completed in 2000.
The Cathedral has 3 arched openings along it's length. The high arches of main arcade, gallery openings of the triforium and the windows of the clerestory.

Lots of people come here for the wedding shots!!! - no not for the mass!!!

Favorite thing:
Visit the St. Mary's Cathedral situated on College Street opposite Hyde Park. This Cathedral is another Sydney icon both spiritually and architecturally. It is quite impressive in and outside. Notable for its incredible Melocco Brothers mosaic floor in the crypt that depicts The Creation, inspired in part by the Book of Kells. The floor took 16 years, from 1930 - 1946, to complete. The crypt is open daily from 10 am till 4 pm. The current Cathedral was commenced in 1868 (the first burnt down); the spires were completed in 2000. I thought that I had some more pics and close ups from the Cathedral, but alas, I think I am missing a movie roll. If they show up again I will ad more pics on it.

Favorite thing: Another beautiful old sandstone church, Sydney is surrounded with this rock thats why our city has that old 'look' to it.