St Carthage’s Cathedral lies just north-east of the Lismore commercial centre, on the corner of Dawson and Orion Streets. It has almost a north-south orientation with the (liturgical) West wall facing southwards. We see that the Cathedral has a cruciform shape with a tower in the South East corner, two small chapels, one each side of the sanctuary, and a larger chapel extending to the North at the East end. (I have to say that liturgical directions work best inside a cathedral!) PLAN
2. NORTH EAST VIEW
This North East view of the Cathedral shows the ‘rounded’ East wall with its windows, and the adjacent Sacred Heart Chapel with its window triplet. Notice the interesting little round windows on the main building.
3. NORTH EAST SACRISTY
On the North side, just East of the North transept, is this attractive Bishop’s Sacristy. It used to be used as a weekday chapel called the ‘Chapel of the Saints’, but for various reasons this was discontinued.
4. NORTH WALL
Close by the Bishop’s Sacristy is a cream building which houses the administration of the diocese. Next to the chapel is the grand North transept which contains the organ, and to the right, the North Wall of the nave. We notice the two confessionals, and the open North entrance. The Cathedral is constructed in Gothic Revival style. Notice the decorative metal tracery on the chapel and sanctuary ridges.
The Cathedral is 49.5 metres long, 21.6 metres wide, and 24.2 metres high. The total area including transepts and sacristies is 1300 square metres. The Cathedral will seat a maximum of 2000 people.
5. NORTH WEST VIEW
The North wall contains two sets of pairs of stained glass windows, with the North door in between. The smaller windows are plain, giving good light to the interior. We catch a glimpse here of the West wall.
6. NORTH DOOR
The North Entry has an interesting and unusual form, inviting the visitor to enter. The Cathedral is constructed of light red bricks which give the structure a pleasing warmth.
7. CELTIC CROSS
Out from the North West corner of the Cathedral stands an ornate Celtic Cross. I can find no published information on this Cross. The front of the Cross has the Risen Christ at centre (‘Christ Alpha Omega’), with scenes of the Nativity, Baptism, Good Shepherd, Feeding 5000, Crucifixion and Resurrection. The back of the Cross has the inscription ‘Hope for the future, Gratitude for the past’, and scenes of the early settlers, Aborigines, and education. The Celtic Cross itself has associations with Irish monk St Carthage, and indeed with the town of Lismore in Co. Waterford.
8. ST MARY STATUE
Directly in front of the West door stands a statue of the Virgin Mary, unfortunately missing the fingers on both hands. The inscription reads: ‘O Mary conceived without sin Pray for us who have recourse to thee.’
9. WEST FACE
The West wall of the Cathedral is of unusual design. The left and right aisle façades are separated from the main nave by buttresses, and each side wall features a pair of lancet windows surmounted by a small round window. Three round windows are placed above the West Door, set in an imposing nested Gothic frame. Above this is a most unusual row of eleven lancet windows, and above this again is a cluster of round windows – a large central window surrounded by 12 smaller ones. The windows all contain stained glass.
10. SOUTH WALL
To get a good view of the South side of the Cathedral we need to cross under Dawson Street. There is an imposing tower with a crenellated battlement at the South West corner: a spire to surmount this was originally planned. We also note the two confessionals, and the South transept with its share of stained glass windows. The tower houses the Cathedral bells – possibly the heaviest set of bells in the Eastern States with a total weight of 9.6 tons. There are 12 bells altogether, and in 1994 they were electronically programmed to ring each week day at angelus time and for the afternoon mass.
11. TOWER DETAIL
On the South West corner of the tower, an ornamental small round tower rises, capped by a miniature octagonal spire.
12. SOUTH CONFESSIONAL
There are two neat little confessionals (reconciliation rooms) on each side wall of the nave. The diagonal lattice patterns of the confessional windows and the windows above are filled with amber coloured glass.
13. WEST DOOR
Time for us to enter through the grand West door to be inspired and to enjoy the delights within!
14. WEST DOOR CROSS
On either side of the doorway is a neat little marble cross. Also nearby is this bronze disk bearing the image of a sailing ship and carrying the inscription R.R.H.S MARKER 11. This appears to be a marker belonging to the Richmond River Historical Society. The Cathedral is definitely worth an historical marker!
15. NAVE
My favourite moment! We enter through the West door into a place of beauty. The Gothic arches march down towards the Sanctuary, clothed in amber light. Our eyes are drawn upwards towards the dark tracery of the ceilings. The colourful East windows beckon. This is a place for reflection and worship. [Note: This photo was taken in 2013. Since then the sanctuary has been remodelled. In particular the ambo has been replaced by an eagle lectern, and the nave altar has been replaced by an altar with eight supporting marble columns.]
16. NAVE ROOF
Looking upwards we observe the dark timbers of the roof of the nave. St Carthage’s was dedicated in 1907, and these timbers have given good service ever since.
17. NORTH WEST NAVE
We begin our exploration, first turning towards the North West corner of the nave. Here are several of the many colourful windows in this Cathedral which will attract our attention.
18. WEST WALL, NORTH WINDOW
This pair of windows are situated on the North side of the West Wall. The figures are not identified. Perhaps St Anthony (left), and St Therese of Lisieux (right) holding a Crucifix. The inscriptions beneath are: ‘Pray for Thomas McKairnan’, and ‘Pray for Francoise Ellen McKairnan’. Thomas was well known as the owner of the Lismore Book Arcade. He died in 1931.
19. ST THÉRÈSE
In the North West corner of the nave stands this statue of St Thérèse of Lisieux. She is holding flowers and a crucifix, and has a string of rosary beads.
20. NORTH WALL, WEST WINDOW
This pair of windows are at the West end of the North wall of the nave. They show a woman bringing her child to Jesus to be blessed, illustrating Mark 10:13: ‘People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them ... ’. The inscriptions at the base of the windows read: ‘Pray for Daniel Mason RIP Pray for John and Bridget Carrol RIP’