The Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter A Comensoli, last night launched Light into the City, a once-in-a-generation project to restore and renew St Patrick's Cathedral and reimagine the Cathedral precinct as a welcoming place of faith, culture, service and civic life for future generations.
The launch took place on St Patrick's Day at St Patrick's Cathedral, marking the beginning of a long-term renewal of one of Melbourne's most significant spiritual, cultural and architectural landmarks.
Speaking at the annual Patrick Oration, the Archbishop described the project as both an act of stewardship and an invitation to the city.
"For more than 125 years, St Patrick's Cathedral has been a light into the city; a place of prayer, beauty, welcome and refuge," he said.
"Light into the City is about caring for what we have inherited, while ensuring that this Cathedral and its precinct can continue to serve the people of Melbourne, Catholics across the Archdiocese, and all those who visit through faith, hope and hospitality for generations to come."
A five to ten-year vision, Light into the City will be delivered in stages. The first stage involves the necessary and urgent restoration of St Patrick's Cathedral, recognised as one of the world's finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture, the construction of a new, adjacent assembly building with better facilities and flexible event spaces for congregants and visitors, and landscaping to make the precinct more accessible and welcoming for the city.
The second stage will see the restoration of the Presbytery and Cardinal Knox Centre, two important heritage landmarks within the precinct. These spaces may, over time, support initiatives connected with culture, the arts and social outreach.
Light into the City represents a total investment of $190 million in the precinct. The first stage commences later this year and will cost $130 million, with $90 million raised already, through generous pledges from members of the community, and significantly, a $60 million commitment from the Australian Government.
The Archbishop invited the community to share the Light into the City vision and to participate in the public campaign to bring both foundational stages of the project to fruition.
The overall Light into the City vision contemplates a further, final stage involving the construction of new facilities for mission agencies, to strengthen the Church in its mission and enhance its social impacts for Victorians. This future stage is yet to be developed and is not part of the Light into the City fundraising campaign.
Designed as a place not only for worship, but also for culture, dialogue and connection, the plans for the precinct will strengthen the Cathedral's role as:
- a spiritual home for Catholics from across the Archdiocese and beyond
- a place of sanctuary and welcome for all in the heart of the city
- a cultural and artistic landmark for Melbourne
- a hub for education, outreach and service.
St Patrick's Cathedral welcomes close to a million domestic and international visitors each year, including worshippers, pilgrims, tourists, city workers and those seeking quiet reflection. The renewal will ensure the Cathedral remains safe, accessible and vibrant.
"St Patrick's was built by the generosity of early migrants and the community of Melbourne," Archbishop Comensoli said.
"This renewal continues that story, together in mission and hope, so that the light of Christ that shines from this hill continues to illuminate our city."
Maria Myers, the Light into the City Advisory Board Chair and a major project donor, said: "This is a carefully governed, well-considered project that recognises the Cathedral's and precinct's considerable heritage value as well as their crucial role in the life of our city.
"Light into the City honours the dedication of those who built St Patrick's, and ensures our children and grandchildren inherit a Cathedral that is welcoming, alive with faith, and suited to the needs of our growing, increasingly diverse communities."
