Dulwich Hill, NSW - St Paul of the Cross Catholic

History and Architecture:

In 1906 locals petitioned Cardinal Moran, the Archbishop of Sydney, to have their own church in the area. Approval was given and a block of land was purchased on New Canterbury Road in 1907.

The Foundation stone was laid in April 1907 by Cardinal Moran Archbishop of Sydney and the church was completed in 1908. Today this is the parish hall. The foundation stone of the present church was laid in 1925 by Archbishop Michael Kelly. The architect of the Dulwich Hill church was Mr Austin McKay, who designed in the Romanesque style.

A wall plaque reads, "The bell in the church tower was originally from Christ Church, a Catholic Church in Bath, England. It was cast by Mears & Stainbank, Founders, London in 1867_ It is 855mm wide, weights 390kgs in bronze. Refurbished by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 2014 for St Paul of the Cross Parish. Its installation is the result of the efforts of many people, including the Keltek Trust which provided the bell, the parish council, St Paul of the Cross Primary School, volunteers Ron Shepherd, Malcolm Brady, Tony Wyatt , David Hobbs. Administrator Fr. Kim Ha. Two generous bequest from Harry Goggins and James Allen who made this bell installation possible. They were both long term parishioners. Harry died in 2013, aged 91. James died in 2015, aged 77. May they rest in peace. Blessed by Most Rev Bishop Terry Brady on the 7th Nov".

Internally the Church decorations include, two stained glass windows in the apse, depicting the Resurrection and the Ascension, and an unusual timber ceiling in the nave.