Oldest Church in Australia – St John’s Cathedral Parramatta

The Oldest continuous use church in Australia is the beautiful St John’s cathderal in Parramatta, located in the Church Street mall, a short walk from Parramatta Train Station. There have been church services on this site dating back to 1796.

St John’s Cathedral dates back to 1796 when a make shift wooden building was built for church services for the first colonial settlers. The first stone foundations of the churgh were laid down in 1798.

From the rear of the building, you can see the contrasts of this old historical sandstone building, with the modern skyscrppers built of glass and concrete, located next to Parramatta Train Station.

The twin towers were added between 1817 and 1819, the design was a replica of the towers on the St Mary’s Church in Kent England. One of the towers has a clock at the top.

The Royal Memorial Gates were erected in 1918 our the front of St John’s Cathedral. At the top of the gates is engraved in Latin the words ‘Pro Tanto Qvid Retribvemvs’ or ‘Pro Tanto Quid Retrivuemus’ which literally means ‘what shall we give in return for so much’.

St John’s Cathedral is a Anglican Church and still holds regular services. See there website for service times – https://stjohnscathedral.org.au/