St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne

St Patrick's Cathedral
Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of Saint Patrick
Gothic Revival central tower of St Patrick's Cathedral
37°48′36″S 144°58′34″E / 37.81000°S 144.97611°E / -37.81000; 144.97611
AddressCathedral Place, East Melbourne, Melbourne City, Victoria
CountryAustralia
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.cam.org.au/cathedral
History
StatusCathedral, minor basilica
DedicationSaint Patrick
Dedicated1851
Consecrated1897
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)William Wardell
Architectural typeCathedral
StyleGothic Revival
Years built1858  1939
Specifications
Length103.6 metres (340 ft)
Width56.4 metres (185 ft)
Nave width25.3 metres (83 ft)
Nave height28.9 metres (95 ft)
Number of spires3
Spire height105 metres (344 ft)
MaterialsBluestone
Administration
ProvinceMelbourne
MetropolisMelbourne
ArchdioceseMelbourne
ParishSt Patrick's
Clergy
ArchbishopPeter Comensoli
DeanStuart Hall
Assistant priest(s)Jaycee Napoles, Michael Buck
Official nameSt Patrick's Cathedral Precinct
TypeState heritage (Monuments and Memorials, Religion)
Designated9 October 1974
Reference no.H0008
Heritage Overlay numberHO129

The Cathedral Church and Minor Basilica of Saint Patrick (colloquially St Patrick's Cathedral) is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, and seat of its archbishop, currently Peter Comensoli.

In 1974, Pope Paul VI conferred the title and dignity of minor basilica on the cathedral. In 1986, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral and addressed clergy during his papal visit.

The cathedral is built on a traditional east–west axis, with the altar at the eastern end, symbolising belief in the resurrection of Christ. The plan is in the style of a Latin cross, consisting of a nave with side aisles, transepts with side aisles, a sanctuary with seven chapels, and sacristies.

The cathedral was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register on 5 August 1999.