Saint Francis Chapel

Did the vibrant Oxford Street always host such grand structures as St Francis Chapel? St Francis Chapel stands as a testament to the evolving spirit of Paddington. In 1866, the burgeoning Catholic community, largely Irish domestic servants, yearned for a local place of worship. Their dedication led to a modest school-church built of Australian hardwood. This humble structure foreshadowed the grandeur to come. The Franciscans arrived in 1879, further solidifying the Catholic presence. Paddington became its own parish in 1887 under Fr. Bernardine Lawler. He envisioned a magnificent new church, St Francis of Assisi, on Oxford Street. The foundation stone was laid in 1889, and Cardinal Moran opened the nave in 1890. The design, dubbed Tuscan Gothic, featured sandstone, brick, marble, and Venetian glass mosaics depicting the four Evangelists and the Franciscan coat of arms. The church was meant to be much larger. However, only the nave was completed. Even so, The Freeman’s Journal predicted it would be “one of the largest in Sydney” upon full completion. Despite five Sunday Masses, the growing congregation soon outgrew the space. In 1915, Archbishop Kelly commissioned a larger church designed by Bart Moriarty. The sanctuary, transepts, and sacristies opened in 1918. The original plan involved demolishing the 1890 nave for a grander one, but this never happened. Interestingly, Moriarty’s design seems heavily inspired by the Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru, New Zealand, itself inspired by a cathedral in Reno, Nevada. St Francis Chapel therefore represents a fascinating trans-Pacific architectural lineage. Over the years, marble communion rails, a pulpit, and a high altar were added. Stained glass windows depicting key mysteries of the Christian faith adorned the apse in the 1930s. After Vatican II, renovations modernized the sanctuary and improved the layout. A new altar and lectern were crafted from the original pulpit’s marble, harmonizing with the high altar. Even the old font was repurposed as the base for a new baptismal font. St Francis Chapel remains a vibrant testament to the enduring faith of the Paddington community. It is a beautiful blend of architectural styles and historical echoes.