History

St Paul’s Cathedral was originally built as a parish church, by a group breaking away from the original cathedral, All Saints, as part of the 19th century’s long and controversial debate about 'High Church versus Low Church'. It was designed by goldfields architect, Robert A. Love: the nave was dedicated in November 1868; the 30-metre high tower housing a peal of eight bells was completed in 1873, and the chancel and transepts were added in 1927, completing Love’s original design vision. The building is constructed of red brick with stone dressings in an early Gothic style and is laid out in a simple cruciform plan comprising a six bay nave, transepts and sanctuary. The cathedral is a significant example of the Early English Gothic style.

The Cathedral boasts many beautiful features. Its splendid ceiling rises to almost 20 metres with its ornamented semi-circular cusps. Outstanding and historic stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie of North Melbourne fill the space with the light of God. Several beautiful wooden sculptures adorn the Cathedral: Madonna and Child by Leopoldine Mimevich, St Peter and St Paul by Ola Cohn in the niches of the sanctuary panelling, and The Crucified Jesus with Mary and John, which is high on the west wall. Below the east window is an opus-sectile (mosaic) reredos of the Last Supper. The organ case, with its colourful pipes, was re-built in 1957.

St Paul’s became the Cathedral of the Diocese of Bendigo in 1981.

The bells

St Paul’s peal of eight bells was cast by Meares and Co of London, arrived on the Cutty Sark on 27th March 1873, and were first rung on Good Friday, 10th April 1873.

Because of safety issues with the tower, from 1880 the bells were not able to be rung, but only chimed. In 1963 they were returned to London for recasting and on return in 1964 were replaced in the tower at a lower level. On Sunday 20th December the tower was re-hallowed and the bells re-dedicated by the Bishop of Bendigo, the Rt. Reverend Ronald Richards and the Rector of St Paul’s, Canon David Anthony.

St Paul's has had many ringers over the years, some of whom have given long and faithful service. Visiting ringers from all over the world have also rung at St Paul’s Bendigo. Unfortunately, due to current renovation work on the tower, the bells are once again only able to be chimed.

Restoration

In January 2009 the Cathedral was closed for building safety reasons. The Cathedral congregation moved next door to the Cathedral Hall, where we worshipped for the next seven years. The experience reminded us that not only are we not just bricks and mortar, but that we can share our buildings with the community, and that we don’t always have to worship in traditional ways.

The interior of the Cathedral is now fully restored, and was officially re-opened for worship in 2016. The central feature of the new work is an octagonal dais, which can be raised to various heights, or flattened to floor level, enabling diverse community groups to also share the Cathedral with us for a wide range of functions and Church services.

The interior is now one large, lofty and open space, with comfortable and flexible seating, an enviable audio-visual system with sound-desk, and effective heating. With new LED lighting, the glorious ceiling can now be appreciated much as envisioned by the original architect, R.A. Love.

To see the Cathedral restoration project finished, we need to fund exterior work to the bell tower and Cathedral forecourt. This work will not only enable full bell ringing to re-commence, but will also give equal access to all via a new ramp to the front West doors.

For video of the restoration and for the history of the closure please follow this link. Video and story courtesy of Leigh Sharp, Bendigo Advertiser - Hidden Bendigo St Paul's

If you want to give a Tax deductible donation you can:

• Write a cheque to the St. Paul's Cathedral Bendigo National Trust Appeal, and hand it in to the Church wardens or the Dean.

• Make a deposit directly into the National Trust Appeal Account:
  BSB: 033 000
  A/c No: 937419

If you want more information please contact the Dean or the Bishop.