St Patrick's Basilica placed on State Heritage Register

27/6/95

Western Australia's only basilica has been placed on the State Register of Heritage Places.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said the decision to list St Patrick's Basilica and Presbytery in Fremantle followed a recommendation from the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

Last year the Vatican bestowed upon St Patrick's the honour of being named a minor basilica.

The honour was in recognition of the role the church played in the Fremantle migrant community, particularly amongst the Italian and Portuguese population.

Mr Lewis said St Patrick's Basilica was only the third basilica in Australia, after St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney and St Patrick's in Melbourne and now bore the papal symbol of crossed keys over the entrance to show its special status.

"As a port based church, it became a focal point for social and religious activities for new migrants," the Minister said.

"Even today, St Patrick's Basilica retains an important role in Fremantle's multi-cultural diversity.

"Apart from the Australians involved in the parish there are Italian, Portuguese, French and Irish members."

The basilica, in Adelaide Street, is well-known and is the starting point for Fremantle's annual blessing of the fleet.

Mr Lewis said St Patrick's was built in 1900 by the Oblate order, which had arrived in Fremantle six years earlier to cater for the population increase caused by the gold boom.

The architect was Michael Cavanagh, who was also responsible for the Perth Christian Brothers' College, Mercedes School House, St Brigid's Convent in Northbridge and a number of other works for the Catholic church.

The church was consecrated in June 1900, with Sir John Forrest in attendance.

Mr Lewis said the adjacent St Patrick's Presbytery, also designed by Cavanagh, was built in 1916.

"Both buildings are regarded as landmarks and contribute greatly to the streetscape of Adelaide Street," he said.

"The basilica is an important example of the Federation Gothic style and is representative of the major ecclesiastical structures built by missionary orders at the turn of the century.

"The presbytery is a classic example of Michael Cavanagh's noted style for this type of building."

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377 or 480 5125 (pgr).