St John's Pro-Cathedral, Perth

St John's Pro-Cathedral, Perth

The Saint John the Evangelist Pro-Cathedral holds a significant spot in Western Australia's Catholic heritage as the first Catholic church building in the area. Initially serving as both a church and the region's first cathedral, it was the heart of Catholic activities in the early days of the Swan River Colony. This role continued for the first two decades until the construction of the first Saint Mary's Cathedral in 1865.

The building's exterior is made of brick, coated with a lime mixture, and painted in an ochre hue to mimic its original color. Its roof, featuring a traditional gable design, is covered with shingles. The structure's long sides are marked by arched windows and strengthened by buttresses spaced evenly along its length. Although its portico was removed in 1881, it has since been rebuilt on the building's west side.

The west end of the cathedral showcases four arched windows, arranged with a pair above the portico and one on each side. On the south side, there's a small addition at the back, accessible through an arched doorway on the north side. The church's windows are simple, with clear glass framed by wooden sections, while the windows in the added part are square with four panes each.

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St John's Pro-Cathedral on Map

Sight Name: St John's Pro-Cathedral
Sight Location: Perth, Australia (See walking tours in Perth)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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