St. Francis Xavier's Catholic Cathedral

St. Francis Xavier's Catholic Cathedral Building of the Cathedral began in 1851 making it the oldest cathedral in Australia.

The Cathedral is usually a busy place with several daily Masses, Rosary and confessions as well as weddings, baptisms and funerals.

ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL MASS TIMES ⏰At St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide, Sunday Masses are held on Saturday a...
15/08/2026

ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL MASS TIMES ⏰

At St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide, Sunday Masses are held on Saturday at 6pm (the Vigil Mass) and on Sunday at 7am, 9am, 11am, 2.30pm (African Mass), and 6pm. During the week, Masses take place Monday to Friday at 8am, 12.10pm and 5.45pm, and on Saturday at 8am and 11.30am.

Confessions are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am–12noon and 5–5.30pm, and on Saturday from 12noon–1pm and 4.30–5.30pm. Holy Hour is offered on Tuesday at 6.30pm and Friday at 11am.

On public holidays there is only an 8am Mass at the Cathedral, except on 1 January when Mass is at 10am.

🌟 Flashback Friday for our dearly beloved St Francis Xavier CathedralSt Francis Xavier Cathedral is the principal Roman ...
07/08/2026

🌟 Flashback Friday for our dearly beloved St Francis Xavier Cathedral

St Francis Xavier Cathedral is the principal Roman Catholic cathedral in South Australia and the seat of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, reflecting the development of Catholic institutional presence in the colony.

In 1846, English architect Charles Francis Hansom prepared initial designs for a new cathedral. Following a design competition in 1850, local architect Richard Lambeth was awarded first prize, and construction commenced in 1851. Hansom was later re-engaged to adapt his design to the partially constructed foundations, resulting in a building shaped by multiple design phases and evolving requirements over time.

The cathedral’s gradual construction reflects both financial constraints and the steady growth of Adelaide’s Catholic community during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its architecture embodies Gothic Revival principles, expressed through successive additions rather than a single unified design vision.

The bell tower was completed in 1986, funded in part by a donation of stone from Joe Emanuel. Eight bells were installed - seven from St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney and one cast in London - marking the final completion of the cathedral complex more than 130 years after its foundation.

Image: State Library of South Australia, B 3238, circa 1926

The first part of Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide was dedicated on this day 11 July 1858. Its construction w...
11/07/2026

The first part of Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide was dedicated on this day 11 July 1858. Its construction was driven by the first Catholic Bishop Francis Murphy, who was buried in the cathedral a few weeks before its opening.

Work on the Anglican Cathedrral in North Adelaide began in 1869

Address

39 Wakefield Street
Adelaide, SA
5000

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 6:30pm
Thursday 8am - 6:30pm
Friday 8am - 6:30pm
Saturday 8am - 7:30pm
Sunday 7am - 7:30pm

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