St Saviour's Cathedral Goulburn

04/06/2026

Don't forget St Saviours market this Saturday 6th of June entry from 8.30am see you there!

31/05/2026

This Saturday, June 6th, 9am to 1pm - come along to our monthly markets. Our indoor markets are warm during winter with plenty of hand made beanies and scarves and a BBQ to eat something warm whilst you’re there.

23/04/2026

05/04/2026

From the Dean’s Desk:
Mary Magdalene stands at the empty tomb before any creed is written. Before any sermon is preached. Before anyone else dares to hope. She is the first to see that death has failed.
She comes carrying grief. She comes expecting nothing but death and decay. She comes because love keeps showing up even when the world has stopped making sense. And it is there in the early‑morning half‑light that the risen Christ speaks her name.
The first witness of Christ’s resurrection is a woman whose testimony the ancient world dismissed. God entrusts the world‑shattering news of new creation to someone the culture did not take seriously. This is the pattern of the Jesus’ kingdom.
We live in a nation where many feel unseen. Overlooked. Written off. Where voices at the margins are still treated as optional. Where grief is often carried quietly and alone. Where people show up with love and get told it doesn’t count.
However, Mary Magdalene’s witness tells us that God meets us in the places we think are empty. That the risen Christ calls us by name when we feel most lost. That the people our culture sidelines are often the ones who see resurrection first.
Easter is the announcement that Jesus is alive and still overturning every hierarchy we cling to. Still breaking open every tomb we’ve normalised. Still trusting unlikely people with world‑changing news.
Christ is risen. And because he is risen, no one is invisible. No story is finished. No grave gets the last word.
Christos Anesti
Dean Gavin

04/04/2026

A full history of our Cathedral.

The First Church Built in Goulburn, the Episcopalian Church, or the Old Church of St. Saviour’s, had an interesting history both before and after the transition from Church to Cathedral, which it made while still as the original old building.

Subscriptions to build a Church in Goulburn commenced in 1835, and was the initiative of Francois Nicholas Rossi, father of Captain Francis Robert Louis Rossi (later Count de Rossi), who was famously photographed by Rudolph Caspers after being ejected from the ‘new’ Cathedral on 12th Jan 1887. Captain Rossi’s side of the story, which discredits some mistruths told about the event in later accounts, is featured in a related article in which he gives compelling reasons for taking the drastic measures that led to his occupation of the Cathedral, from which he was forcibly ejected…but first…

Francis Nicholas Rossi was “instrumental” in obtaining the Government Grant of land upon which St. Saviour’s Church was built.

On 6th Nov 1837, it was reported that “At Goulburn, a church to be called St. Saviour's and at Bungonia, a church to be called Christ Church, are to be erected.”

The Parish Church became a Cathedral following a letter dated 14th Mar 1863, and demolition was announced for the ‘old’ Cathedral, formerly the Parish Church, on 6th Mar 1875, with the process almost completed by 15th Apr 1876.

On 2nd Oct 1875, it was written that “The foundation-stone used at the er****on of the old cathedral, that of the Catholic chapel, and most of the large buildings was obtained in the quarries known as Munoz's, on Church-hill—now unused, but left unenclosed until probably a life shall be sacrificed. An old townsman, Mr. Henry Lord, with Mr. Inder, contracted for the er****on of the Catholic church, which was completed about the year '48 ; and under the former gentleman's care many buildings have been erected since that time.”

Ransome T. Wyatt wrote that just before the Parish Church’s completion, James Wilson was killed when he died from injuries after falling from the building, which comes from one of the inscriptions at the old cemetery. His death is recorded as 28th Sep 1839.

He also wrote in his book the Diocese of Goulburn, “St. Saviour’s stood on a site within the walls of the present Cathedral. It was an oblong building of brick and had a tower over the western porch containing a small bell, which was subsequently replaced by the present one. …The Church was roofed with shingles, and was anything but a handsome design, the only redeeming feature was that portion of the northern wall which contained the entrance to the vestry, was covered with ivy. It was built in 1839 and fulfilled the duties of a parish church until its demolition in the seventies (1875) to admit of the completion of the present Cathedral the walls of which had been previously constructed round it.”

Stephen Tazewell wrote an article about the life of Parson Sowerby in the Goulburn Post, in conjunction with news “for plans to erect the spire to finish the original design of the building”, and the “raising of $750,000 for restoration and repair of the building”. He captioned an image of the old church, viewed from the opposite side to the image that accompanies this article, with “Old St. Saviour’s Church, Goulburn. This was the site of St. Saviour’s Cathedral. The larger cathedral was built around it and the church was demolished and carried out, brick by brick.”

On 8th Apr 1840, it was reported that the Bishop of Australia would hold confirmations at “St. Saviour's Church, Goulburn” on 3rd May, 1840, so a church was in existence, but not of the configuration in which it is depicted in the earliest Illustrations and Photos that exist of it. This church, like other edifices including Cathedrals, was built in stages.

This can be further clarified by Ransome T. Wyatt’s statement that “The “Sydney Morning Herald” reported in 1843 the completion of the “Church Tower” (Old St. Saviour’s) which it said “just added, sets off the sacred building very well.” The full report is included in the citations.

Some mystery surrounding the early reports of this church, begin with the report from 7th Feb 1845 announcing that the Lord Bishop of Australia would be arriving in Goulburn to consecrate the church, and that he would “be pleased to consecrate the new church, or edifice, at Goulburn afore said, to be called the Church of Saint Saviour”. The reference to it as a “new church” is interesting, but it is unclear whether it refers to the existing church being consecrated or something else.

TIMELINE

6th Apr 1833

“A new town in the interior is about to be formed, called Goulburn, the plan of which is now lying at the Surveyor General’s Office for the inspection of the public.”

On 3rd Nov 1835, William Bradley was collecting subscriptions to build a church in Goulburn.

3rd Nov 1835

“The Church at Goulburn.
THOSE Gentlemen who have subscribed towards Building the Church at Goulburn, are requested to pay the Amount of their Subscriptions either to Mr. William Bradley, the Treasurer, at Goulburn, or in the Commercial Bank, to Account of the Goulburn Church, as it is imperatively necessary that the Money should be collected before any communication can be made with Hie Government in order to obtain their promised Donation, and that the Building of the Church may be immediately forwarded.
J. FRANCIS M'ARTHUR,
Secretary.”

On 6th Nov 1837, it was reported that “At Goulburn, a church to be called St. Saviour's and at Bungonia, a church to be called Christ Church, are to be erected.”

9th Nov 1838

“We have no church near us, but there is to be one at Goulburn, ten miles off; when built, if I am here, I will attend it.”

On 11th Sep 1937, an article on the “Tragedies of Long Ago” was published in the newspaper by Ransome T. Wyatt, in which he wrote: “Some of the monuments reveal stories of early tragedies. In 1836 two brothers, Henry and James Wilson, reached Goulburn, and in 1839 were engaged upon the building of old S. Saviour's Church. Just before its completion James fell from the building and died of his injuries. Henry died in 1848. Both are buried here.”
James Wilson’s death was recorded as 28th Sep, 1839.
The Church’s “completion” raises an interesting point, because it was reported as being “nearly finished” again in 1847.

12th Jun 1839

“The Churches of Penrith, South Creek, Cook's River, Richmond, and Goulburn, it is expected will be ready for consecration during the year, the Church of St. Thomas, at Mulgoa, has been consecrated since the last Report…

Ransome T. Wyatt wrote in 1941 “St. Saviour’s Cathedral is the second church that has stood upon the site. The first was a brick building with a square tower, erected in 1848. An oil painting of this building hangs in the vestry. In 1863 the Diocese of Goulburn was founded but Bishop Thomas did not find it possible to begin the building of a cathedral until 1874. The building itself cost £25,000. This does not include the cost of special gifts for furnishings and windows. It could not be built now for twice that sum. The foundation stone of the Cathedral was laid on the 15th January, 1874. The Cathedral was dedicated and licensed on the 29th April, 1884. Out of debt in 1916, the Cathedral was consecrated on September 24th that year. The Cathedral is a cruciform building consisting of chancel, nave and transepts, all with aisles…The style of the building is that of the English “Decorated” period. The material of the building is local (Bundanoon) sandstone, with pillars of Pyrmont freestone. The architect was E. T. Blacket. Upon his death the building was completed under the supervision of his sons, A. and C. Blacket. The names of the contractors have been preserved; they were R. and J. Turner, Duncan, Nelson, Le Breton, Stone and Brigdale, H. Langley, A. A. Marshall and Coy., F. C. W. Richard.”

He also writes “Old St. Saviour’s Church, a brick building, was built in 1839, and consecrated by Bishop Broughton on the 7/2/1845, his third visit to Goulburn…The “Sydney Morning Herald” reported in 1843 the completion of the “Church Tower” (Old St. Saviour’s) which it said “just added, sets off the sacred building very well.” It said that there was to be a clock for the public benefit, “at present there is nothing by way of a clock in town.” The clock was never erected.”

16th Jan 1843
“GOULBURN.
January 9-

CHURCH.- The tower which has just been added to the church, has given it a most commanding appearance, and sets off the building very much. There is to be a clock exhibited from it, which will be a public benefit, as there is nothing of the kind in the township.”
The above coincides with the report from 3rd Jul 1847 that stated that “The Episcopalian Church (St. Saviour’s) was “about to be finished, and enclosed in, with a suitable, handsome palisading. The Catholic Church is being nearly finished, but the site on which it is erected is very unsuitable for so handsome an edifice.”
The tower is mentioned in the consecration of the church which took place on 7th Feb 1845 which was reported on 14th Feb 1845.

On 8th Apr 1840, it was reported that “The Bishop of Australia will hold confirmations during the present month at the following places, and on the dates prefixed — on Thursday the 23rd, at St. Luke's Church, Liverpool: on Friday the 24th. at St. Peter's Church, Campbelltown ; and also on Sunday the 3rd May, at St. Saviour's Church, Goulburn.”

On 27th Nov 1841, in a letter from the Lord Bishop of Australia, it was stated that “During the interval to which I am now referring, the churches of St. Mark, at Appin, of St. Saviour, at Goulburn, and of St. Peter, at East Maitland have been opened under License.”
It appears that the title deeds may have been granted retrospectively.

On 8th Feb 1842, Richard Bourke authorized the 3 ½ acres at what became known as ‘Church Hill’ “as a site for a church”.
This was published 11th and 12th Feb 1842, the 3 ½ acres was bounded by 4 streets including Bourke-street (the land later referred to as “Church Hill”) officially dedicated for a church (St. Saviour’s) and 1 acre “opposite the junction of the Mulwarree Ponds with the Wollondilly River, at the old township of Goulburn” was dedicated as a burial ground (the site later referred to as the ‘Old Cemetery’).

It is interesting to note here that they talk about a site for a church, when a church had apparently already been built.

On 9th May 1842 the land on what would later be known as ‘Church Hill’, was granted to the trustees of St. Saviour’s - Francis Nicholas Rossi, James Francis Macarthur, William Bradley, and William Shelley.

17th Jun 1842

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
“Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 16th June 1842.

TITLE DEEDS CHURCH GRANTS.
THE undermentioned DEEDS of LANDS, granted to the United Church of England and Ireland, have been transmitted from this Office to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, to be by him forwarded through the Surveyor-General to the Colonial Treasurer, by whom notification of their receipt at his Office will be made to the Grantees by Letter, after which they will be delivered on application, viz;—
Deeds dated 9th May, 1842.
19. Francis Nicholas Rossi, James Francis Macarthur, William Bradley, and William Shelley, Trustees of St. Saviour's Church, Goulburn, 3 acres On 8th Feb 1842, published 11th and 12th Feb 1842, 3 ½ acres bounded by 4 streets including Bourke-street.
20. Ditto ditto, 1 acre, as a Burial Ground attached to St. Saviour's Church, Goulburn.”

On 29th Oct 1842, the church “in the centre of Montague-street”, was visited by the Governor who afterwards was shown the original site for the first Catholic Church in Goulburn, for which a foundation stone had been laid earlier, but that no work to build it had commenced, because of the unsuitability of the site compared to that granted for St. Saviour’s.

“The Governor walked to and entered the English Protestant church, where he remained a short time; he proceeded then to the hill immediately over the town on which the foundation stone of a Catholic church has been laid for some time, but the work has not been proceeded with because of the unfitness of the site given by government…”

11th May 1843

“GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1843. CHURCH GRANTS.
GOULBURN. -61. 40 acres, county of Argyle parish of Goulburn, commencing at the north east corner of Mr. Broughton’s grant, authorised by Sir Richard Bourke as a glebe.”
This is the 40 acres marked “GLEBE” on the maps, adjacent to Sloane-street just beyond Clinton-street.

A grant for the Presbyterian Church was advertised a few months earlier.

4th Mar 1843

“CHURCH GRANT.
The following town allotments, which have been from time to time appropriated to the purposes of the Presbyterian Church, published for general information, being in addition to those advertised on 1st October, 1842.
3. Goulburn, one acre, county of Argyle, parish of Goulburn, town of Goulburn ; authorised by Sir George Gipps as the site of a Presbyterian Church.
4. Goulburn, two roods, county of Argyle, parish of Goulburn, town of Goulburn ; authorised by Sir George Gipps, as the site for a Presbyterian School.
5. Goulburn, two roods, county of Argyle, parish of Goulburn, town of Goulburn ; authorised by Sir George Gipps as the site for a Presbyterian Minister's dwelling.
6. Goulburn, one acre, county of Argyle, parish of Towrang, at Goulburn ; authorised by Sir George Gipps as a Presbyterian Burial Ground.”

11th Aug 1843

“Deed dated 19th June, 1843.
10. Francis Nicholas Rossi, John Francis Macarthur, William Bradley, and William Shelley, trustees of the Glebe annexed to St. Saviour's Church, Goulburn, 40 acres, Goulburn.”

On 7th Feb 1845, it was reported that “the Lord Bishop of Australia arrived in the township about twelve o'clock, and, according to public notice, proceeded to consecrate the church... The church had been fitted up according to the appointed order, having pews, communion table, pulpit, reading-desk, Bibles, and Book of Common Prayer. His Lordship was received at the north-west door by the Rev. W. Sowerby, (minister)…that we would be pleased to consecrate the new church, or edifice, at Goulburn afore said, to be called the Church of Saint Saviour”.

Again, it is interesting to see it referred to as a “new church”, and again on 3rd Jul 1847 when it was reported that “The Episcopalian Church is about to be finished, and enclosed in, with a suitable, handsome palisading.”

On 14th Feb 1845, it was reported that the Church had been consecrated.

14th Feb 1845

“GOULBURN.
FEBRUARY 10.—On Friday, the 7th instant, the Lord Bishop of Australia arrived in the township about twelve o'clock, and, according to public notice, proceeded to consecrate the church. The weather during the early part of the day was not very promising ; but not with-standing there was a very good. attendance. The church had been fitted up according to the appointed order, having pews, communion table, pulpit, reading-desk, Bibles, and Book of Common Prayer. His Lordship was received at the north-west door by the Rev. W. Sowerby, (minister) ; Rev. G. N. Wood, Bungonia ; the Wardens, Trustees, and others ; viz , William Bradley, Esq., M.C. ; E. B. Kitson, Dr. Gerrard, — Atkinson, Esq., J.P. ; Thomas Worne, Esq., J.P. ; &c., &c.”
“We, William Grant, by divine permission Bishop" of Australia, do therefore, by virtue of our ordinary and episcopal authority, now separate and set apart the said edifice, or structure, containing in length, from east to west, eighty-two feet and one and a half inch, and in breadth, from north to south, fifty-three feet four inches, (inclusive of tower, porches and all outer walls,) from all profane and common purposes ; and do hereby dedicate the same as the Church of Saint Saviour, in the parish or district of Goulburn aforesaid, to God and divine worship, and do consecrate it for the celebration of divine service therein, according to the United Church of England and Ireland…”
“Whereas, we did lately receive the petition of the Rev. William Sowerby, licensed minister of Goulburn, in the county of Argyle, within our diocese and jurisdiction, and of the several residents and inhabitants in and about the same place, whose names are thereunto subscribed, praying that we would be pleased to consecrate the new church, or edifice, at Goulburn afore said, to be called the Church of Saint Saviour”.

4th Feb 1845

On 27th Mar 1845, devastating weather in Goulburn was reported during an unprecedented storm.

“SYDNEY NEWS.
GOULBURN.
February 5.—Yesterday, about 4 p.m., we were visited by a tempest of lightning, wind, and hail, the like of which, we believe, is not on record in the annals of the colony. To give any real idea of the desolation it has made would require the pencil of a Hogarth.
During the day we had an easterly wind, rather cool, but towards noon, and for two hours after, the atmosphere was excessively close ; but about 4 p.m., a dense cloud appeared towards the S.S.E., which came over the plains, changing the wind in its course from that point, and carrying all before it.”
“The whole of the town has the appearance of one general scene of devastation, as if it had been visited by a carriage. Every house, shop, store, inn, church, and chapel, has its windows smashed to atoms, not one square of glass being left in any window that was exposed to its influence the window sashes were also broken in some parts of the town.
The greatest amount of damage seems to have been done to that beautiful building the Royal Hotel, which, on account of its prominent situation, the hail battered through the broken windows, covered the costly carpet and furniture with broken glass, and melting in the room, caused great damage in this establishment ; there are 150 panes of glass broken, but the greatest havoc was made with the handsome architrave mouldings round them, as well as their pediments, all of which are so broken, that there are not six inches whole round any of the windows and the same may be said to be the case with all the artificial sign-boards (those made of plaster of Paris,) in the township, and there are many of the shop-fronts ornamented in this way.
Not only did the outside windows suffer, but those that had inside sashes shared in the same destruction. Some idea of the damage may be formed, when we say that at the Australian Store there was not one square left ; and, to add to the misfortune, much of the cut glass and many fancy articles exposed for sale, suffered in the general destruction. It will take 30 l. to cover the damage done at this store ; and at the Argyle Store it is greater : in this store there were 190 squares broken ; but the greatest amount of damage was sustained in fancy China ornaments, such as figures, &c. &c. : here a regular mêlée took place—a regular Waterloo—affair heads and bodies, legs and arms, all indiscriminately mixed, found their rest in one general cemetery : the amount of damage done here is 50l. Messrs. Bull and Woodward, at the two stores here, suffered to the extent of 227 panes ; Brodie, ' Salutation Inn,' 150 ; Long, 150 ; Mandelson, 100 ; the mill and brewery, about 600. The number of panes broken in the township, with those of the Mill, is 3253 ; but this does not include the damage done to the Episcopal Church, the eastern window of which is completely destroyed ; being of gothic style it has lead lights ; the lead is bent and burst in many places, and one of the iron stays is driven from the frame ; all the windows on the S.E. side are greatly shattered. The feathered tribe were seen falling down as if shot—hens, ducks, pigeons, crows. Such a visitation was never experienced in this country since it became a British colony.
It is feared that the same destruction has been made there, both amongst the window glass and gardens. It did not extend any further west than the Bredalbane Plains, and we have heard that it did not reach so far as Mummell, so that it must have continued its course from S.S.E. to N.N.W.
It was very violent at Norwood, the residence of Mr. F. M'Arthur, where considerable damage has been done. The storm did not continue above twenty-five minutes, when it cleared off ; but again very heavy clouds gathered from east to west about sun down, which soon after emptied themselves in torrents.”

A report from 3rd Jul 1847 said “The Episcopalian Church (St. Saviour’s) was “about to be finished, and enclosed in, with a suitable, handsome palisading. The Catholic Church is being nearly finished, but the site on which it is erected is very unsuitable for so handsome an edifice.”

3rd Jul 1847

“GOULBURN.

This town promises ere long to progress rapidly ahead, if we may judge from the number of new buildings in process of er****on, which are not enough even yet to supply the wants of the many applicants for houses. In consequence of the spirit of competition, arising from the number of stores in the town, every article of use and consumption is to be obtained at nearly Sydney prices, after deducting the expense of carriage. Some of our buildings would be an ornament even to the Australian Metropolis ; among them may be enumerated Mr. Bull's new Stores, the Post-office, the Goulburn Inn, Royal Hotel, &c. The Episcopalian Church is about to be finished, and enclosed in, with a suitable, handsome palisading. The Catholic Church is being nearly finished, but the site on which it is erected is very unsuitable for so handsome an edifice.
Mr. William Thorn, of Brisbane Grove, in the vicinity of the town, has commenced an extensive Brewing Establishment, which bids fair to be well patronised, from the very superior quality of the ale and porter already brewed. No expense has been spared by the spirited proprietor in the outlay of his extensive Establishment, which, we are informed, is capable of manufacturing upwards of fifty hogsheads of ale and porter per week. The proprietor, we understand, has it in contemplation to erect immediately an extensive Steam Flour Mill, near the site of the Brewery. A large, picturesque lake in the front of the Establishment, offers every facility for his enterprising endeavours at fair competition. The coming Circuit Courts will, doubtless, add much to the prosperity of our town. A Rail-road would be of incalculable benefit to Goulburn, and cause it to become the depot of Trade to the interior. We have sharp frosts here night and morning, but the weather is delightfully bracing and healthy.”

GOULBURN’S FIRST CHURCH BELL

19th Jul 1848
“BELLS. There are some towns in Great Britain famous for the number and tone of their bells : Goulburn, in New South Wales, bids fair to vie with some of them, already we have a bell at the Episcopal Church ; another peers forth from the new Roman Catholic Chapel; and a third has arrived for the Scots Kirk, to which place a belfrey is about to be added, in the mean time it will hang temporarily in the vicinity of the Kirk.”

ANOTHER DEVASTATING HAILSTORM HITS

28th Jan 1851
“Amongst the churches and chapels the Episcopal church seems to have suffered most. Amongst the hotels, Mr. Mandelson’s seem to have sustained the greatest damage. Mr. S. Moses, of the Royal Hotel, has also puff red considerably. Amongst the large stores Messrs. Benjamin and Moses' seems to have suffered most. Great damage has been done to the jail. But every house in the town has suffered more or less according to its size and situation.”

ST. SAVIOUR’S CATHEDRAL

2nd Sep 1859

“ON Tuesday last, a meeting was held at the Church of England school-room, convened by the church-wardens for the, purpose of laying before the members of the Charon an account of the steps that bad been taken towards enlarging St. Saviour's. Mr. Rossi, senior churchwarden, explained that in September, 1857, a meeting was held, the Lord Bishop of Sydney in, the chair, when the Rev. Mr. Sowerby pointed out the urgent necessity of the enlargement of the church and the great want of accommodation in its present state. Subsequently plans were sent by Mr. Blackett, which proved unsuited when taken in connection with the existing church, appropriate enough for an entirely new building, but not in proportion with the old one. Much time was consumed in this way and now that all the plans were ready and the church wardens prepared to sign the contract, an important question arose as to their responsibility and it would neither be polite to nor just to saddle them with the expenses. The entire cost is estimated at £2000, and collections raised and calculated do not exceed one half that sum.”

12th Jan 1861

“NEW CATHEDRAL.—The inhabitants of Goulburn, of the Anglican communion, are about to erect a cathedral; we presume in anticipation of a division of the diocese, for surely it is useless to erect a cathedral unless there be some bishop to enthrone. Some time ago plans were invited for the er****on of this edifice, and a premium of £50 was offered. Mr. Goold, architect, of this city, has secured the prize. A number of plans were tendered, and finally submitted for the approval of the Bishop of Sydney. His preference was decidedly given in favour of the plan of Mr. Goold. We understand that measures will be taken to carry it into early ex*****on. The design is said to be a very fine example of the ecclesiastical architecture of the middle ages, and will require for its completion an outlay of more than £10,000. A beautiful situation has been proposed for the site—a most important consideration ; unfortunately, many of the most attractive of our public buildings are lost in the obscurity of mean surroundings. The church, we understand, is rich rather for its composition than for any minute or profusely scattered ornaments. The outline at a distance is said to be peculiarly fine. It has all the interior arrangements necessary for a cathedral of the Anglican Church. The er****on, of such a building in the interior of the country may be taken as a sign of the permanence in its progress, and that a large proportion of the inhabitants consider themselves identified with the localities on which such large sums are expended to adorn.— Sydney Morning Herald.”

The Cathedral wasn’t built, but on 23rd Mar 1864, the church was proclaimed to be a cathedral.

24th Mar 1864
“Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 23rd March, 1864.

DIOCESE OF GOULBURN.

HIS Excellency the Governor is pleased to direct the publication of the following Letters Patent, bearing date the 14th March, 1863, whereby Her Majesty has been pleased to alter the limits of the Diocese of Sydney, and to erect a portion of the said Diocese into a new and separate Diocese, to be called the Diocese of Groulburn, and to appoint ]The Right Reverend Mesac Thomas, Doctor in Divinity, to be Bishop of the Diocese of Goulburn.
W. FORSTER…
“And we do further, by these presents, ordain and constitute the Town of Goulburn, within the Colony of New South Wales, to be a Bishop's See, and the seat of the said Bishop. And we do ordain that the said Town of Goulburn shall henceforth be a city, and be called the " City of Goulburn." And We do hereby further ordain and declare that the Church called St. Saviour's, in the said City of Goulburn, shall henceforth be the Cathedral Church and See of the said Mesac Thomas and his successors, Bishops of Goulburn...”

21st Jan 1871

“It was proposed to build the cathedral on the site of the existing building, but to erect the nave before its removal. The structure might be of the hard blue-stone of the district, with freestone quoins and openings.”

4th Feb 1871

“BUILDING OF ST. SAVIOUR'S CATHEDRAL, GOULBURN.
A preliminary conference of gentlemen of Goulburn belonging to the Church of England, convened by circular, was held at the Diocesan Depot on Thursday, the 12th January, to consider the subject of re-building St. Saviour's Cathedral.”
“It appears that ten years ago an active movement was set on foot to build a cathedral in Goulburn ; but the scheme was postponed on the recommendation of the Metropolitan of Australia until a diocese had been constituted and a Bishop appointed. The Bishop of Goulburn on his arrival in 1864 found the diocese in many districts very destitute of churches, parsonages, and clergy. He therefore resolved to invite the diocese to unite with him in an energetic effort to provide for these deficiencies, and again postponed the scheme for a cathedral, St. Saviour's being in the meantime temporarily enlarged.”
“It was proposed to build the cathedral on the site of the existing building, but to erect the nave before its removal. The structure might be of the hard bluestone of the district, with freestone quoins and openings. The whole cost when all was finished would probably not exceed £12,000 to £15,000; but it was hoped that self-denying efforts would be made in Goulburn and neighbourhood and throughout the diocese, and that very material aid would be obtained in the colony generally and in the mother country.”

22nd Nov 1873

“The difference between the Episcopal Church and the Wesleyan Church is merely one of church government, and not on articles of faith. The head of the former at Goulburn is designated "bishop ;" the head of the latter is merely "chairman." Yet there is essential difference between the two churches in their organizations. The Episcopal church gives more power to the clergy and gives less to the laity than does the Wesleyan church, which is essentially democratic, active, popular, full of life and energy.”

The cornerstone was laid on 15th Jan 1874.

24th Jan 1874

“ST. SAVIOUR'S NEW CATHEDRAL,
GOULBURN.

The corner-stone of this building, which is the cathedral church of the diocese and the parochial church of the city of Goulburn, and will bear the name of St. Saviour's Cathedral, was laid on the fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, and in the thirty-seventh year of the reign of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, by the Right Reverend Mesac Thomas, D.D., Lord Bishop of Goulburn, aided by the Hon. John Campbell, Esq., M.L.C., the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Bathurst, the Very Reverend William Sowerby…. architect, Edmund T. Blacket, Esq.”
“The estimated cost of the building is £16,000. The style will be the decorated of the period of the Edwards. The spire will be 190 feet high. At present the only contract taken is that for the foundation, for which Mr. Turner, of the city, is the contractor. The sum at present available in the treasurer's hands exceeds £3000.”

6th Mar 1875

“St. Saviour's Cathedral is shortly to be demolished in order to give place to the new cathedral which is being erected, and the new schoolhouse will be temporarily used as the place of worship.”

1st Sep 1875

“TO THE EDITOR.
SIR,--At the er****on of St. Saviour's Cathedral Goulburn, I believe, the usual formality of placing within the crevices of the corner-stone a bottle containing coins of the realm, documents, &c., was gone through. The last brick and stone of the old edifice has just been dispensed with to make room for a more noble structure. Upwards of thirty years have now elapsed since the corner stone was laid. Would it not be interesting to know something about those hidden items? I hear that an empty ginger-beer bottle was the only treasure found by the stonemason.
Yours, &c.,
31st August. INQUISITIVE.”

2nd Oct 1875

“With game the place abounded. The kangaroo, wallaby, turkey, and emu were vastly numerous ; and they formed excellent sport for the government officials and gentry in their spare time, some of whom possessed good packs of hounds, and who probably while in hot pursuit through the scrub behind Church-hill and now Brookes's paddock, often pictured to themselves the old English sport, fox-hunting.”

15th Apr 1876

“ST. SAVIOUR'S CATHEDRAL AND THE OLD PARISH CHURCH, GOULBURN.

The original parish church -was built some forty years ago, mainly through the influence and personal efforts of the Rev. William Sowerby (the late Dean of Goulburn). The material was brick, but of inferior quality. Becoming dilapidated, it has now been removed, and the works of St. Saviour’s Cathedral cover its site.”
“The cathedral church of St. Saviour, now in course of er****on, is built as white sandstone, from Wingello, with window tracery, &c, from a quarry at Nattai. The foundation is of bluestone of the neighbourhood upon a footing of concrete. It is in the second pointed or early decorated style of English church architecture.”
“The architect for the cathedral building is Mr. E. Blacket, of Sydney.”

16th Jun 1877

“St. Saviour's Cemetery.
THE CHURCHWARDENS will be glad to receive DONATIONS of TREES & SHRUBS to plant about the Ceoinotory, the fence of which is being renewed,
A. M. BETTS,
S. H. BELCHER,
C. S. ALEXANDER.
7th June, 1877.”

25th May 1878

“Cecilia Page and Caroline McFarlane were charged with removing trees from St. Saviour's cemetery with intent to steal the same.”

6th Dec 1879

“Another contract for a portion of St. Saviour's cathedral, at Goulburn, has been accepted. The successful tenderer was Mr. William Duncan.”

The New Tower was designed by Peter Freeman & Partners Pty Ltd 1986.

The original church was said to have been designed by James Hume.

James Hume, colonial architect and surveyor, was “found dead in his bed” on 15th Nov 1868, at his residence 137 Elizabeth-street Sydney, aged 64. In an article from 4th Dec 1868 about St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, it was stated that “In this earlier part of the history of the church the architect was Mr. James Hume, recently deceased. On Mr. Hume relinquishing the post of architect he was succeeded in 1846 by Mr. E. T. Blacket, who made several improvements in the architectural details of what had already been built, and greatly modified and improved the entire plan; Mr. Blacket has continued to be the architect up to the present day.”
Edmund Thomas Blacket designed the St. Saviour’s Cathedral, and “upon his death the building was completed under the supervision of his sons, A. and C. Blacket”.

THE TOWER

Suitable stones were required to attempt to replicate as closely as possible, the original tower designed by Edmund Blacket, but that was never built.
The tower was designed by Peter Freeman & Partners Pty Ltd. of Sydney, in 1986.
It was decided to use the stones from the remains of the third Fitzroy Bridge that had been decommissioned following the opening of the new railway line overpass on Sydney-road.
This stone would only be used for the “rock face” as the stone from the bridge was not adequate in terms of size and dimension, so other sources of stone were used including the Central Coast Quarry north of Sydney, and original Marulan stone left unused at another Goulburn Church.
Work commenced on the site 1st Aug 1886, and building commenced in Feb 1887.

THE BELLS

Eight of the twelve bells came from St. Mark’s Church in Leicester, England, and were named after the ships of the first fleet. In order of size they are the Supply, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales, Charlotte, Scarborough, Alexander and the Tenor bell Sirius. The bells were required to be installed ready to ring by Oct 1988.

Francis Nicholas Rossi, one of the original trustees of the Church of St. Saviour’s, was born in Corsica, France in 1776. He died in 1851, aged 75.

Francis Robert Louis (Lewis) Rossi was the elder son of Captain Francis Nicholas Rossi. He was born on 19th Feb 1823 at Port Louis, Mauritius, and died suddenly at his residence, 131 Phillip-street Sydney, on 13th Nov 1903.

On 16th May 1896, it was reported from the Empire Hotel in Sydney, that Captain Rossi had inherited the status of a Count by succession, as the 4th “Comte de Rossi”.

GOULBURN’S “BURIAL GROUNDS”

In 1841, the Catholic Church had not yet been built, and had no burial ground. A foundation stone for a Catholic Church in Goulburn was laid, but a church was never built in the Government allocated location (see article on SS Peter and Pauls and the Goulburn’s original Catholic Church). The earliest official allocation for a burial ground in Goulburn, however, was not at the old cemetery, but on land south of Clinton-street and opposite the Church of England ‘Glebe’, which was marked as a Roman Catholic Church and Burial Ground.

10th Nov 1825

“ANNO SEXTO,
GEORGII IV. REGIS (No. 21.)

By his Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane, K. C. B Governor of the Colony of New South Wales, &c. &c. &c. with the advice of the council. [An act for better regulating and preserving parish and other registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and burials, in New South Wales and its Dependencies, including Van Diemen's Land.]
“And be it further enacted, that from and after the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six, no burial shall take place within the walls of any church or chapel, of any denomination whatsoever, nor within the limits of any town, otherwise than in any burial ground which may be set apart for such purposes, and which burial ground must be distant one mile at the least from any town or township.”
It will be noted that despite this decree, when burials at where Sydney’s Town Hall now stands (beside St. Andrew’s) ceased in 1820, referred to as the ‘Old Sydney Burial Ground’, and a ‘New Sydney Burial Ground’ was opened where now stands Central Station, burials continued there until 1867.
The burial ground allocated on the 1833 Town Map, the ‘L’ shaped allotment for a church and burial ground mentioned, was not 1 mile from the town, it was off Sloane-street just behind where Sinclair’s Mill was later built.
Beside most Churches, was usually a cemetery. St. Andrew’s in Sydney had a cemetery beside it, and when the Sydney Town Hall was built, the bodies had to be removed to ‘way out in the bush’, which today is Camperdown Cemetery, at Newtown. This included all but the sole survivor of the wreck of the Dunbar, where a special section was set aside for the tombs of the Dunbar wreck.
It is therefore not unusual, to see dates on the headstones on graves, that pre-date the age of the cemetery they finally rest in.
The original 1833 Subdivision map of Goulburn shows a combined Church and Burial ground in an ‘L’ shaped allotment. It was bound by Auburne and Sloane-street, and today the church and burial ground allotment would be cut through the middle by Walker-street, with the original burial ground allocation south along Walker-street.
The ‘L shaped’ Burial Ground was opposite the Glebe, off Sloane-street, upon which is marked Church RC and Burial Ground. Walker-street now runs between where the Church and Burial Ground adjoined, and Sloane-street (since realigned) now runs straight through the centre of both.
Sloane-street has since been re-aligned, so today, Sloane-street at Walker-street, run right through the original allocated burial ground off Sloane-street which is shown on the 1833 Town Map.
It is also labelled ‘RC’, standing for Roman Catholic, however construction of a Roman Catholic Church was not commenced until 1844 and not completed until 1847… but there’s a reason why that church took so long to build even though a foundation stone was laid in 1841, and it had to do with it being in an undesired location. This is covered in great detail in a separate article about Goulburn’s Catholic Church and the St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral.

OLD CEMETERY A BURIAL GROUND SINCE 1833

On 25th Dec 1841, complaints were made that the burial ground was not yet fenced in and that bodies had been buried there for 7 or 8 years.

25th Dec 1841

“ARGYLE. '
December 19…
Miscellaneous . — Not far distant, yet removed from the noise and tumult of the town, stands Goulburn burial place, and the general receptacle of the descendants of him, whose unhappy lapse—" Brought death into the world, and all our woe.''
Anxious to look around the consecrated spot, I traversed the footpath that leads into this solitary region; the ground rose in many a grassy hillocks, and imagination readily suggested, that the dust below mingled with the ashes, and mouldered among the bones of Men who once alive and active— '' Kept the town alive . .With lustre and with noise'…To be concise, the " Goulburn burial ground" is not yet fenced in, although it has been used as a place of interment the last 7 or 8 years ! I observed a quantity of posts and rails laid upon the ground, ready for er****on, and I have been informed the fencing timber has been lying there for the last eighteen months. The question now is — Whose fault is it, that "the Goulburn burial ground" has not been surrounded with a strong substantial fence ; and I particularly so, when nearly the whole of the timber is on the spot ? Who is to be blamed for such gross neglect?— The Government?”

The above report establishes that the ‘Old Cemetery’ in the Old Township had been in use since about 1833, but according to Ransome T. Wyatt’s book “The History of the Diocese of Goulburn”, the oldest headstone in the old cemetery is of “John Weakley, who died on 14/7/1837.” He goes on to write “The difficulty in establishing the date of its first use lies in the fact that the burial registers of All Saints’, Sutton Forrest (prior to 1838) and of S. Saviour’s, Goulburn (1838 onwards) do not record the place of burial, only the date. The majority of the Goulburn internments entered in these registers must have been made here. Curiously enough, by some oversight, the cemetery was not consecrated until June 1858, when Bishop Barker performed the rite. This is all the more remarkable in that nearly all the Church sites in Goulburn were selected by Bishop Broughton twenty years earlier”.

11th Sep 1937

Ransome T. Wyatt wrote in a newspaper article. The last sentence is very important.

“This is the burying ground known as "old S. Saviour's" lying on the outskirts of the city, just behind the Reformatory. The site is comprised in two Crown grants, dated May 9, 1842, and September 16, 1848. It was in use long before those dates, the oldest headstone being to the memory of John Weakley, who died July 14, 1831. The difficulty of establishing the date of its first use lies in the fact that the burial registers of All Saints', Sutton Forest (prior to 1838), and of S. Saviour's, Goulburn (1838 onwards), do not record the place of burial, only the date.”

If there are headstones prior to 1833, where did they come from?
The 1849 Town map of Goulburn shows the combined ‘RC Church and Burial Ground’ of the 1833 Town Map now labelled simply as “Church Land”.

The ‘L’ Shaped Allotment appeared in the Government Gazette Land Grants :

27th Oct 1848

“ARGYLE.

5. James Walker, 15a. Or. 20p., Fifteen acres and twenty perches, parish of Goulburn, town of Goulburn; commencing at the intersection of the southern side of Clinton-street with the western side of Sloane-street, and bounded on the north by Clinton-street, bearing "west 25 degrees 30 minutes north 10 chains to Auburne-street; on the west by Auburne-street, bearing south 25 degrees west 17 chains 90 links; on the south by a line east 25 degrees 30 minutes south 8 chains 30 links to the reserve for the burial ground and church; on the east by parts of that reserve, bearing north 770 links; again on the south by a line bearing east to Sloane-street, and on the east by that street, bearing north 4 chains, then north degrees east 4 chains to the intersection of Sloane and Clinton-streets aforesaid. Being the land authorised for Thomas Walker, on 26th August, 1848, in compensation for the deficiency in certain land, near Botany, purchased by him from the Crown, and now, at his request, advertised in the name of James Walker. Quit rent one peppercorn.
By His Excellency's Command, E. DEAS THOMSON.”

NO CATHOLIC BURIAL GROUND IN GOULBURN

6th May 1841

Original Correspondence,

To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette.

Sir,
…The disgraceful conduct I allude to took place at the small Township of Bungonia, Argyle, and in my opinion calls aloud for exposure ; and the individual who acted in the business ought to be prevented from practising in future. About 12 o'clock on the night of the 24th ultimo, a Mrs. A--, the wife of a respectable mechanic, being in a delicate situation was put to bed - it being rather a difficult case, a Dr.--, who resides in the Township was called in, who, in thought safely delivered the woman of a child - he then left ; towards morning the woman became worse, and on sending for the quasi Dr. he returned for answer that the restlessness she felt merely proceeded from exhaustion. The woman died before day-light, and was put into a coffin, and carried over to Goulburn, to be interred in the Catholic cemetery, but there not being any ground there was brought back, and buried on Sunday afternoon at Bungonia. Dr. Reedy, the Coroner of Goulburn, who had repeatedly seen the woman, and was of an opinion that she had twins, came to Bungonia and had some conversation with ---, who seemed to be perfectly ignorant as to his profession, and admitted that he did not know whether the woman had twins or not - that he left before the after birth had come away, and in his opinion the case was doing well. She was exhumed, and on a post-mortem examination another child was found in the womb. The man holds no medical certificate, but like many others assume a title he has no legal right to. It is purely time that a stop should be put to men practising as Surgeons, who have neither the ability nor the qualification to do so.
And I am your obedient servant, ANDREW FERRARA.”

AUTHORIZATION OF THE OLD CEMETERY

On 11th Feb 1842, Sir R. Bourke had authorized 3 ½ acres and an additional 1 acre “as the site for a church and as a burial ground”.
The additional 1-acre is marked on the maps as the Burial Ground for the Church of England.

It would mean that if this is the same site in which John Weakley’s headstone from 1831 is referred to by Ransome T. Wyatt, and that was said to have been use already for 7 or 8 years by the gentleman who complained about it being unfenced on 25th Dec 1841, that the site was used for those years ‘unofficially’ and without ‘authorisation’ by the Governor.

11th Feb 1842

“GOULBURN.-7. 3 ½acres; 8. 1 acre; parish of Goulburn, county of Argyle. Authorised by Sir R. Bourke as the site for a church and as a burial ground.”
Donations for a Church in Goulburn commenced in 1835, but deeds for the land upon which it was to be built, were not granted until 9th May 1842. “1 acre, as a Burial Ground attached to St. Saviour's Church, Goulburn.”

12th Feb 1842 describes the locations in detail, at what is now referred to as the “Old Cemetery”, but historically referred to as the “Old Burial Ground”.
“Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 8th February, 1842.

CHURCH GRANTS.

7. Goulburn, Three and a half acres, county
of Argyle, parish of Goulburn, Town of Goulburn ; bounded on the east by Bourke-street, being a line north 25 and a half degrees, east 10 chains ; on the north by a street, being a [sic] chains and 50 links ; on the west by a street, being a line south 25 and a half degrees, west 10 chains ; and on the south by a street, being a line south 64 and a half degrees, east 3 chains and 50 links to Bourke-street.
Authorised by Sir Richard Bourke as the site for a church.
8. Goulburn, One acre, county of Argyle, parish of Goulburn, opposite the junction of the Mulwarree Ponds with the Wollondilly River, at the old township of Goulburn ; bounded on the north by a line west 260 links ; on the west by a line south 360 links ; on the south by a line east 210 links ; and on the east by a line north 360 links.

Authorised by Sir Richard Bourke as a burial ground.”
In terms of burials, the earliest ones may still be a mystery. In 1937 Ransome T. Wyatt wrote “The difficulty of establishing the date of its first use lies in the fact that the burial registers of All Saints', Sutton Forest (prior to 1838), and of S. Saviour's, Goulburn (1838 onwards), do not record the place of burial, only the date.”
So, without a place of burial and only the dates, the question as to whether the first burial ground allocated on the 1833 Town Map was ever used, or for that matter whether burials occurred at Church Hill prior to the dedication in 1842 of an official burial ground (the ‘Old Cemetery’ site at the Old Township), remains open.

28th Apr 1849

“To the Editor of the " Goulburn Herald."
Sir.-As I was riding a day or two ago along the banks of the Mulwaree Ponds near the Burial Ground, I was much disgusted at the horrid stench which saluted my olfactory nerves. At first I supposed that some cow or bullock was lying dead near the spot, but the further I progressed up the creek towards the bridge, I was convinced that the odour arose from something more " damnable still." I was not disappointed, for my horse made a dead stop on the bank of a little stream of blood and filth which was making its way towards the course of the beautiful ponds alluded to. My senses were so much shocked at the sight and the smell that I gallopped off without waiting to ascertain the source of the stream and not possessing the bravery of a Leichardt, or the ill fated Kennedy, I do not think that I could have encountered the terrors of an expedition for that purpose. In these days, when sanatory regulations are exciting the attention of all classes, I consider that the townspeople of Goulburn should not be behind hand in masking a movement against all nuisances that have a tendency to impair the health. Hoping that these few lines may excite an interest in the subject in the proper quarter,
I remain, Sir, yours, obediently,
Goulburn, April 19. . . R. R. “

15th Jan 1850

“Visit of the Bishop of Sydney.-The Bishop is expected to arrive here to-morrow, and hold a confirmation in St. Saviour's on the 18th instant. It has been said that he will consecrate the burial ground at this visit, but we have no certain information on the subject.
We believe his Lordship, who will proceed to the squatting districts, has postponed his journey for a week.”

“Burial Grounds” are still mentioned in 1850

28th May 1850

“It was the opinion of witness that deceased died from congestive apoplexy. A verdict to that effect was returned. On the following day the remains were brought into Goulburn and interred in the Episcopalian burial ground. The funeral was most respectably attended. Deceased was nearly thirty nine years of age at the time of his death. “

19th Mar 1853

“ADVERTISEMENT.
To the Editor of the "Goulburn Herald."
Sir,-About two years ago my son was killed by lightning; he is buried in the English cemetery, and the horses of the sexton are allowed to trample on his grave. Ought this profanation to be allowed, and why may not the ashes of my departed child be allowed to rest in peace?
Yours sorrowingly,
MARY JEFFREY.”

28th Jun 1855

“GOULBURN

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Goulburn, June 25th.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—I sent you on last Friday an account of a sad accident which befell a little girl, named Emma Taylor, who was so severely burnt at Narrawa, that she shortly afterwards expired. At the same time I stated that her elder sister, Margaret, thirteen years of age, was so badly burnt in her attempt to save the first-mentioned child, that she was hardly expected to re-cover. I am sorry to inform you that the eldest daughter has since died from the injuries received. The co**ses of the two children were brought to Goulburn to-day, their afflicted father accompanying them. Dr Waugh, the Coroner, held an inquest at which the verdict of " Died from injuries accidentally received" was returned. The children were buried in the afternoon, a considerable concourse of people following them to their early graves in the Church of England cemetery.“

4th Aug 1857

“The body was placed upon a dray and conveyed to the late residence of Mr. Betts, in Clifford-street. About seven in the evening an inquest was held before Mr. R. Waugh, coroner for the district, the enquiry being held in the house deceased had formerly occupied. The facts stated in our first account of the melancholy event having been spoken to in evidence, the jury found a verdict of accidental drowning, to which was appended the following " rider" :—" In recording their verdict the jury wish to draw attention to the want of a bridge somewhere across the Wollondilly river, and to express a hope that some steps will be taken at once to ensure the completion of a structure that will obviate the necessity of crossing the river at dangerous fords." On Friday, shortly after 12 o'clock, the remains of the lamented gentleman were removed to their last resting-place in the Church of England Cemetery, at the north end of the town. The procession formed at the deceased's residence in Clifford-street. The coffin having been borne from the house, the following gentlemen acted as pall-bearers —Mr. Rossi, Mr. Conolly, Mr. Chatfield, and Mr. Thorn. The co**se was conveyed to St. Saviour's Church, where the first part of the funeral service was performed, the Rev. Mr. Sowerby officiating. The four last verses of the 16th Psalm were sung by the choir. At the conclusion the coffin was placed in the hearse, and the procession re-formed and proceeded along Montague-street, Auburn-street, and Grafton-street, to the burial-ground, the bells of St. Saviour and the Scots' Kirk tolling during the progress of the cavalcade. The attendance of mourners was larger than we have ever seen…”
In 1935 Mr. W. Muller recollected how headstones had been removed from the Jewish Cemetery and used as front door steps and hearthstones in their homes, and that the cemetery had been ploughed over to grow vegetables.

19th Mar 1892

“Dr. Thomas was consecrated in Canterbury Cathedral on the 25th January 1863, and arrived in Goulburn on the 8th April of the same year. For a time he lived in Lansdowne Terrace, nearly opposite St. Saviour's Parsonage. Bishopthorpe was built in the year 1870.”

18th Nov 1901

“FUNERAL OF BISHOP CHALMERS

GOULIURN, Saturday.,
The funeral obsequies of the late Dr. William Chalmers, Bishop of Goulburn, were conducted in St. Saviour’s Cathedral. On arrival of the mail train early on Friday morning, the body of the late Bishop was met by the Rev. R. M. Turnbull, members of the Cathedral Council, and several of the congregation, and conveyed to the Cathedral. The funeral took place to-day, and the remains were laid to rest near the southern chancel, outside the building, the north angle being the burial place of the first Bishop (Dr. Thomas) and his wife, Mrs. Thomas…”

3rd Dec 1903

“THE LATE DEAN POWNALL.

On Tuesday morning the remains of the late Dean Pownall were interred in the Cemetery at St. Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn, near the grave of the late Bishop Thomas. The coffin was placed in the Cathedral the previous day…”

1st Jan 1931

“FROM THE PAST

Old Tombstone.

AT NORTH GOULBURN
A tombstone, recording one of the earliest burials in the Goulburn district has been temporarily removed for repairs from the old Church of England cemetery at North Goulburn. The stone had been broken off near the base. It was also broken across one corner and had lain face down for many years so that the inscription in several places had been rendered almost Illegible. By the aid of the records kept at St. Saviour's Cathedral, however, it was possible to ascertain that the stone belonged to the grave of John Fuller, of Fish River, who was buried on January 24, 1840.
John Fuller, according to the inscription, was murdered, and although we have not been able to ascertain definitely, it is believed that he met his death at the hands of bushrangers.

INSCRIPTION PRESERVED

In order that the inscription on the tombstone might be preserved, the Church authorities had it removed to Turner's Monumental Masonry in Verner Street, where the carved inscription has been touched up slightly so that it can be read easily. This has now been completed and the inscription reads as follows:-
"Sacred to the memory of John Fuller, who was murdered at Goulburn on January 23, 1840, aged 54 years."
Then follows the verse:-
"Consider reader, when you look, "How sudden this soul was took,
"And see that thou prepared be Least Death should come so quick on thee."

EARLIEST BURIAL

It was believed when the stone was found that it was the earliest burial recorded by the Church of England but the records show that the first was conducted almost two years earlier, being that of John Goddard (37), buried on January 24, 1838. His profession was given as that of white-smith. Both this service and that of John Fuller were conducted by the Rev. Dean Sowerby. Possibly some reader knows the story of John Fuller. If so, we would be glad to publish it.”

5th Apr 1935

“GOULBURN REMINISCENCES.
Mr. W. Muller, (Clovelly) writing of Mr. S. B. Glass’ recent address says Mr. Louis Mandelson, (his wife's father) was the last Jewish person buried in the Goulburn Cemetery. An unpaid caretaker is living on the cemetery try property. A lot of the headstones have been removed to be used by local residents for, either front door-steps or hearthstones in their homes. The cemetery had been ploughed for the growing of vegetables and other produce and pieces of the headstones could be seen protruding from the soil. One grave, in particular, is well cared for — the Collins' grave — which has a high railing around it. The late Mr. Mandelson has a brother living at Manly. The Mandelson hotel mentioned had nothing to do with Mr. Louis Mandelson. He never conducted an hotel, but was a tailor. On visiting the old Masonic Temple in he had seen in the minute-book that Mr. Louis Mandelson was the first inmate there. A granddaughter of the late Louis Mandelson was a member of the Great Synagogue choir. He understood that the Goulburn Cemetery was used as a burial ground for many years for Jews from far out-lying centres to obviate further journey to Sydney. Mr. Muller has further 'advised us that the Mr. Weisberger — he is not sure of the correct spelling of the name — mentioned by Mr. Diamond as an old resident of Goulburn, whose head stone was not found by Mr. Glass, was a regular visitor to the home of Mr. Mandelson every Sunday. He was a tobacconist and although' living in a very frugal manner left a large sum of money. He had no relatives in Australia.”
(ed: The Louis Mandelson referred to is Luis (or Louis) Mandelshon, who built the City Clothing Hall in 1874.)

MUNOZ’S QUARRY ON “CHURCH HILL”

2nd Oct 1875,

“The foundation-stone used at the er****on of the old cathedral, that of the Catholic chapel, and most of the large buildings was obtained in the quarries known as Munoz's, on Church-hill—now unused, but left unenclosed until probably a life shall be sacrificed. An old townsman, Mr. Henry Lord, with Mr. Inder, contracted for the er****on of the Catholic church, which was completed about the year '48 ; and under the former gentleman's care many buildings have been erected since that time.”

See related articles on the ejection of Captain Rossi from St. Saviour’s Cathedral and Rossiville.

Harvard/Australian Citations listed separately due to exceeding character limits