# Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Geraldton is a heritage-listed Anglican Cathedral in Geraldton, Western Australia. Consecrated in 1964, it is in active use, and is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia.

## History

When the Anglican Diocese of North West Australia was established in 1910, Broome was designated as the See town, with Geraldton still remaining part of the Diocese of Perth. Initial plans were to construct a cathedral in Broome, with the Anglican Church of the Annunciation serving as the pro-cathedral until a permanent cathedral could be built.
However, in 1928, Geraldton and its surrounding territories were transferred from the Diocese of Perth to the North West. Subsequently, the diocesan headquarters were moved from Broome to Geraldton in 1935. Later, following the formalisation of the diocesan boundaries by the WA Parliament through the Church of England (Northern Diocese) Act in 1961, and the first synod of the diocese, Geraldton replaced Broome as the diocesan See town.

### Construction

In 1960–1961, plans were undertaken to establish a new cathedral in Geraldton. Architects Ean McDonald and Edwin Whitaker from Perth were commissioned for the design, and the contract for the construction was awarded to the Geraldton Building Company in 1962. The total cost of the project was approximately £80,000, including furnishings.

## Description

The cathedral is a rare and "...excellent example of the Post-War Ecclesiastical style of architecture featuring an unorthodox plan form, impressive monumentality, simple and functional finishings and decorative stained glass windows."
Additionally, the cathedral incorporates four stones from various English cathedrals. A stone from Westminster Abbey (1065), a stone from the Canterbury Cathedral (1070), a stone from the Lincoln Cathedral (1092), and marble from the reredos of St Paul's Cathedral (1697).

### Stained Glass

The cathedral "is renowned for having one of the largest areas of stained glass windows in Australia." The windows were designed by Carl Edwards in London, and constructed locally in Western Australia by Gowers & Brown. It features seven windows each on the north and south side of the nave, and one window on the eastern wall of its upstairs chapel.
The seven windows on the north side of the cathedral depict the events of Christmas, Epiphany, the Crucifixion, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and the Trinity.
The seven windows on the south side of the cathedral depict significant biblical and church history figures. Biblical figures depicted include Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Stephen and the apostle Paul. Figures from church history include Saint Alban, Augustine of Canterbury, and Saint Boniface; as well as figures important to the Anglican tradition including Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, and George Herbert.
The east window located within the chapel is based on Genesis 1:1-3, depicting the creation of the heavens and the earth.

## Deans

The following individuals have served as Deans of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross:
| No | Name | Start | End | Notes |
| 1 | Leslie Wilson | 1964 | 1965 | |
| 2 | Gerard Dickinson | 1966 | 1969 | |
| 3 | Brian Kyme | 1969 | 1974 | Later Assistant Bishop of Perth (1982–1999). |
| 4 | Eric Kerr | 1975 | 1985 | |
| 5 | Alan Lewis | 1985 | 1989 | |
| 6 | Dennis Reynolds | 1989 | 1992 | |
| 7 | Dennis Warburton | 1992 | 1995 | |
| 8 | Kenneth Rogers | 1995 | 2002 | |
| 9 | Jeremy Rice | 2006 | 2014 | |
| 10 | Peter Grice | 2015 | 2020 | Afterwards Bishop of Rockhampton (2021). |
| 11 | Lachlan Edwards | 2022 | Present | Previously Rector of Christ Church, Lavender Bay. |

## Gallery

* Front view of the cathedral.
* Southern side of the cathedral.
* View from within the Nave facing East towards the Sanctuary.
* Sanctuary and communion table (decorated in Green for Ordinary Time).
* Northern wall with stained glass windows.