St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral

St Monica’s 1968 War Memorial Cathedral was designed by prominent architect Ian Ferrier and dedicated as a memorial to the 1942 battle of the Coral Sea. The Cathedral is significant as one of the earliest to incorporate the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council. The most obvious change to the interior layout included a free standing altar, allowing the celebrant to face the congregation. Economic constraints did not allow the entirety of Ferrier’s design to be executed. At the request of the bishop, Ferrier developed a series of concrete arches along each side, with the intention of housing leadlight windows surmounting doors to the side verandahs. When leadlighting proved unaffordable, Ferrier recommended pale blue and gold glass. The Bishop insisted on burgundy glass. In recent years, Eumundi artists Gerry Cummins and Jill Stehn have embarked on a long term project to replace the original glass with a continuous design of stained and painted glass. A ‘Peace Window’ at the door provides an insight into the spectacular ‘Creation Windows’ inside, depicting the first chapter of Genesis. This is the largest modern commission of stained glass in Australia. The baptistery is a separate structure on the northern side of the narthex.