Perth Cathedral Archaeology Site

Perth cathedral archaeology site

Published: February 24, 2009
CN - CathNews

The restoration of Perth's St Mary's Cathedral presbytery has uncovered a goldmine of artefacts, including a ticket to its opening in 1865, archaeologist Fr Robert Cross says.

The oldest parts of the Perth presbytery were built in 1855 and Fr Robert Cross said the ticket was found in pristine condition under a wall panel by builders working in the original archbishop's room,
The West Australian reports.

"I knew about them because I'd found one of them in the cathedral as well and bits and pieces of them throughout the cathedral in the deposit under the floor that actually had names of people on the back," he said.

"Finding that connected it to Bishop Griver, who was the bishop at the time in 1865, it was found in his bedroom."

The ticket will be preserved and go into the church's archives but other archaeological discoveries would remain where they were.

Fr Cross said excavation of a disused well found under some steps had uncovered some of the original pillars which had been part of the structure in 1855.

The renovation includes new lifts, wiring and telecommunications and an underground carpark but because of the heritage restoration component the full cost of the project will not be known until it is complete.

Fr Cross said the building had been upgraded in 1911 and 1938 and was "well and truly in need of work".

The church is also undertaking a $25 million refurbishment of the adjoining cathedral and has recently completed a new underground parish centre with a mausoleum for archbishops.

SOURCE

St Mary's Cathedral restoration is just the ticket (West Australian)

LINKS

St Mary's Cathedral, Perth