The birth of an outback Cathedral
By Mr Hugo Ditroia
In June 1903, a meeting of over 800 people took place on the grounds of the Bishops house[1] to discuss the building of a Cathedral for the diocese. Additionally it would also serve as the cities parish church. The Sisters of Mercy donated the corner land of their new convent for the Cathedral to be built on. Mr Knox of Broken Hill was employed as the architect under the supervision of Bishop Dunne.[2] What made this Cathedral unique was the decision to use the silver quarry stone leftover from the silver mines[3]; this meant the Cathedral would be made out of a silver stone a priceless gem that could never be replaced. The stone was donated to the diocese by the North silver mines of Broken Hill. On December 6th 1903, Bishop John Dunne laid the foundation stone of the new Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the presence of various visiting Bishops and the Catholic faithful.
Two years later and after 7,000 pounds spent, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was opened and consecrated by Bishop Dunne on July 2nd 1905. In attendance were various bishops from Australia. Noted prelates in attendance were the Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop Carr and Coadjutor Archbishop Kelly of Sydney.[4] An estimated 1,500 people were in attendance to witness this wonderful occasion for the diocese and it was noted as the largest gathering seen in western outback New South Wales.[5] The Sacred Heart Cathedral building is a living reminder of Bishop Dunne’s durable work and care for his diocese, sadly eleven years later, on Christmas Day 1916, Bishop John Dunne passed away aged 71. Bishop Dunne was praised for his 29 years of apostolic service and, in building up the newly established diocese.[6]
[1] Robert Johnson, History of the Catholic Church in the Barrier rangers of New South Wales. (2017, awaiting publication.), 111.
[2] Robert Johnson, History of the Catholic Church in the Barrier rangers of New South Wales. (2017, awaiting publication.), 112.
[3] Robert Johnson, History of the Catholic Church in the Barrier rangers of New South Wales. (2017, awaiting publication.), 113.
[4] Robert Johnson, History of the Catholic Church in the Barrier rangers of New South Wales. (2017, awaiting publication.), 119.
[5] “Broken Hill Catholic Cathedral”, The Age Melbourne, 03/07/1905,. National Library of Australia. (www.nla.gov.au), 6.
[6] “Death of the first Bishop”, Riverine Grazier, Hay NSW, 27/12/1916, National Library of Australia (www.nla.gov.au), 2.
