Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral
Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral 22-06-2016 - John Conn, Templestowe, Victoria
Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral 22-06-2016 - John Conn, Templestowe, Victoria

Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral

Bendigo, VIC 3550

Church Information

Church Name: Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral
Church Previous Name: -
Denomination: Catholic Church in Australia
Street Address: MacKenzie St, Bendigo VIC, Australia
Suburb: Bendigo
State: VIC
Postcode: 3550
Foundation Stone Laid: 25-06-1897
Foundation Stone Notes: 

A foundation stone was laid on 25/6/1897 by Bishop Reville, and records: A D - MDCCCLXXXXVII  [The stone has the X symbol for Christ and A D surrounding it, with 13 roman numerals below - 1887].

Two other stones, with Latin text, were laid for the completion of the cathedral. Translations read:

  • His Eminence the Most Reverend Norman Thomas Cardinal Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney, at the invitation of the Most Reverend Bernard Stewart, Fourth Bishop of Sandhurst, blessed and duly placed in position the foundation-stone of the works that will lead to completion of this Cathedral Church, placed under the protection of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. October 16th, 1955.
  • Under the patronage of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church was completed by the Most Reverend Bernard Stewart, the fourth Bishop of Sandhurst. The church was dedicated and consecrated by Thomas Vincent Cahill, Archbishop of Canberra, on 14 May, 1977.
Date Opened: 28-09-1901
Date Closed: unknown
Email: admin@churchesaustralia.org

Comments

The Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Bendigo is the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Sandhurst, and the seat of the Bishop.  The nave of the present cathedral building was blessed by Bishop Reville on the 28/9/1901, and on the 29/9/1901 His Eminence Patrick Francis Cardinal Moran formally opened the building. In 1953 it was decided to finish the cathedral. The interior was completed by October 1973 and formally opened by Bishop Stewart. The spire was finished by 1977, with the building consecrated by Archbishop Cahill and formally opened by Cardinal Freeman, Archbishop of Sydney. The funding of the building was a large benefactor of the estate of Henry Backhaus a local priest, originally from Paderborn in Germany. More historical information/photographs of the cathedral/congregation are invited. Photographs uploaded 18/3/2021 & 5/5/2026.
Last Updated: Tuesday 5th May, 2026
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