Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady

Item details


Name of item:	Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady
Other name/s:	Greek Orthodox Cathedral; St Paul's Anglican Church; St Pauls Church of England; Cathedral of the 'Annunciation of Our Lady Theotokos'
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Religion
Category:	Churchyard
Location:	Lat: -33.8888032201 Long: 151.2024761970
Primary address:	242 Cleveland Street, Redfern, NSW 2016
Parish:	Alexandria
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Sydney
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Metropolitan

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
	1		DP	235433

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
242 Cleveland Street	Redfern	Sydney	Alexandria	Cumberland	Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia	Religious Organisation

Statement of significance:


	The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady is of state heritage significance as an important early ecclesiastical design in the architectural career of Edmund Blacket. Originally St Paul's Anglican Church, its Decorated Gothic design became one of the established architectural models for parish church construction throughout NSW. This item is also significant as the Greek Orthodox Cathedral for Australia and for its association with the migrant communities that settled in NSW following the Second World War. Establishing churches and maintaining the orthodox faith has always been a significant aspect of the Greek-Australian experience and, since the conversion and re-consecration of the church to the Orthodox faith in 1970, the cathedral has become a centre for worship and the continuity and celebration of Greek customs, traditions and language. The former Anglican church also has a significant association with Reverend Francis Bertie Boyce, who resided over the parish from 1886 until his retirement in 1930. A notable and active leader for social reform, Boyce used his political connections to campaign for clearing slums, improving living conditions, promoting pensions and alleviating working class distress within the Redfern/Chippendale parish.
	Date significance updated: 15 Oct 12
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Edmund Blacket (church); J Burcham Clamp (rectory)
Construction years:	1848-
Physical description:	Positioned on a visually prominent site, the cathedral was built in the Colonial Decorated Gothic style. A sandstone construction with slate covered timber roof, the building also consists of a square tower surmounted by an octagonal turret, with a nave, two wide aisles, chancel, two vestries and two porches. It has been noted that the landmark design of this building is reflected in its positioning and the alignment between the parapet and that of St Paul's College at the University of Sydney (also an Edmund Blacket design). The architectural form, elevation and dimensions of the cathedral were taken from a lithograph of St Barnabas' at Homerton - designed by Arthur Ashpitel. Using English architectural patterns for inspiration was a common practice for colonial architects in Australia. The cathedral is supplemented by a number of later buildings on the site. The former rectory (1912) was enlarged after the site's conversion to Orthodoxy to include a second storey and is now used as office and meeting space for the Archdiocese. Later buildings on the site (from the 1980s and 1990s) include the library, stores, Archbishop's residence and St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	The church is in very good condition and its ongoing maintenance is most likely a result of its continuous use since 1855.
	Date condition updated:14 Nov 11
Modifications and dates:	1911 - Government resumption of acres of church land to widen adjacent railway tunnel resulted in demolition of school (1854) and rectory (1864) 1912 - construction of new rectory 1913 - minor works to church (under direction of Blacket & Sons Architects) included addition of stone vestry, re-slating of roof and probable addition of ventilation cowels 1967-70 - internal alterations to conform to Greek Orthodox liturgy 1970 - ikonastasis installed 1980s/90s - construction of surrounding buildings on site c1993 - rectory enlarged with second storey


Current use:	Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Former use:	Aboriginal land, farm estate, Anglican church

History

Historical notes:

The "Eora people" was the name given to the coastal Aborigines around Sydney. Central Sydney is therefore often referred to as "Eora Country". Within the City of Sydney local government area, the traditional owners are the Cadigal and Wangal bands of the Eora. There is no written record of the name of the language spoken and currently there are debates as whether the coastal peoples spoke a separate language "Eora" or whether this was actually a dialect of the Dharug language. Remnant bushland in places like Blackwattle Bay retain elements of traditional plant, bird and animal life, including fish and rock oysters (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

With the invasion of the Sydney region, the Cadigal and Wangal people were decimated but there are descendants still living in Sydney today. All cities include many immigrants in their population. Aboriginal people from across the state have been attracted to suburbs such as Pyrmont, Balmain, Rozelle, Glebe and Redfern since the 1930s. Changes in government legislation in the 1960s provided freedom of movement enabling more Aboriginal people to choose to live in Sydney (Anita Heiss, "Aboriginal People and Place", Barani: Indigenous History of Sydney City http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/barani).

As the Sydney township expanded after the first phases of colonial settlement, the suburbs of Redfern and Chippendale were soon subdivided to accommodate the developing industry and population. To service these new communities, land was quickly selected and dedicated for the construction of essential government facilities - namely a church and school. By 1846, the prominent corner location had been selected for the construction of an Anglican church and, in 1847, Bishop William Broughton - Australia's first (and only) bishop - had awarded the commission of the construction to Edmund Blacket, the diocesan architect for the Church of England in Australia.

Blacket had a particular interest in the gothic style of architecture and designed St Paul's Church in the Decorated Gothic form. During the colonial period, architecture was commissioned by the British settlers and was often designed to reflect the buildings of their homelands. The ecclesiastical building models were symbolic of Christianity and Blacket, in keeping with other colonial architects of the time, took inspiration from the design of established churches in England. The elevations and dimensions for St Pauls Church were taken from a lithograph of St Barnabas' at Homerton - designed by Arthur Ashpitel.

Following the laying of the foundation stone on St Paul's Day in January 1848, construction of St Paul's Church soon followed but work proceeded slowly due to the economic depression in the colony and the high demand for skilled labour. Built in stages, the church was - in the most part - complete by its consecration in August 1855 but almost immediately underwent further expansion to accommodate the greater population numbers now residing in the Redfern and Chippendale areas. By 1858, the southern aisle of the church was complete and, by 1875, the tower was finished.

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Redfern and Chippendale continued to be mixed suburbs of both residential and industry and it was not long before living conditions began to decline and these inner-city areas turned into slums. Efforts to improve these conditions were largely spurred by Reverend Francis Bertie Boyce who was appointed to the parish of St Pauls in 1884 (and who remained as an active and vocal leader for social reform until his retirement in 1930). A champion for clearing slums, improving living conditions, promoting pensions and alleviating working class distress, Boyce became a notable and innovative public figure in campaigning for the social improvement of his parish.

By the outbreak of the Second World War, the population decline of Redfern and Chippendale was acute with its residents leaving for the new and expanding outer suburbs of Sydney. The ethnic composition of the inner-city was in a state of change and, into the newly vacated terraces, came the European migrants who had fled war-torn Europe. A new residential demographic saw a shift in the social demand for religion and the decline of the Anglican congregation and the rise of the Orthodox migrant settlers led to the sale of the church in 1967.

Orthodoxy been present in NSW since the nineteenth century and has been practised at a number of churches around Sydney before the establishment of the cathedral in Redfern. The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Surry Hills, built in 1898, was the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and practised under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Church of Greece, an autocephalous branch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Following contentious disputes amongst the leadership about the direction of the church, the congregation split and the Cathedral of St Sophia (Ayia Sofia) was established in Paddington in 1927.

After many years of tension between the churches and their prolonged period of co-existence, the two churches were finally reconciled in 1945 - a critical point in history when Australia was experiencing a steep increase in the numbers of Greek Orthodox migrants fleeing the war in Europe. The establishment of churches has always been a key element in the maintenance of faith and the provision of social support services to settling communities. With the migrant community growing steadily because of the government-assisted settlement after the war, the cathedral for Greek Orthodoxy was formed to become the focal point of cultural, education and philanthropic life in the community. Essential for the ongoing practice and celebration of their customs, traditions and language, the cathedral was an important support structure for the new communities settling and integrating into the Australian community.

With the congregation swelling and the Cathedral of St Sophia's reaching its capacity, the proposal to purchase St Paul's Church in Redfern afforded the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese an opportunity to encapsulate a cathedral and the necessary institutional facilities all on the one site. By 1970, the church had been converted and re-consecrated as the Greek Orthodox cathedral. St Sophia's has since become a parish church.

Today, the cathedral is internationally recognised as the seat of Greek Orthodoxy in Australia. It is home to the Greek Orthodox Archbishop and provides service for the most significant events within the church.

In February 2021 the archdiocese announced a three stage $24m restoration works, under a masterplan developed by prize-winning Australian-Green architect, Angelo Candelepas of Candelepas Associates: 1 Conservation & rejuvenation of cathedral; 2. Rectory refurbishment, college library & shop; 3. Addition of community facilities with new outdoor forecourt It is hoped the first raft of works will be finished by March 2024, to celebrate the church's sesquicentenary in Australia (Williams, 4/2/2021).

(Sources: Weir & Phillips, 2007; Tamis, 2005; Kerr, 1983; Whitington, 1936; Judd & Cable; and Withycomb; Gilchrist, vols 2 & 3; and Tsingris, 1998)

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Migration-Activities and processes associated with the resettling of people from one place to another (international, interstate, intrastate) and the impacts of such movements	Developing Greek settlements-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent	Migration-Activities and processes associated with the resettling of people from one place to another (international, interstate, intrastate) and the impacts of such movements	Settling post-World War II migrants and refugees-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Providing a venue for significant events-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use	Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	A Picturesque Residential Suburb-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Suburban Centres-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Alienating Crown Lands for religious purposes-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th century suburban developments-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	Cultural Social and religious life-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Adaptive new use-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Cathedral-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Religion-Activities associated with particular systems of faith and worship	Practising Orthodoxy-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady is of state heritage significance as an important ecclesiastical design in the architectural career of Edmund Blacket. Blacket was the diocesan architect for the Church of England and was awarded three important commissions in the late 1840s - these being St Paul's in Redfern, Church of the Holy Trinity in Berrima and St Phillips in Church Hill. Blacket designed different Gothic forms for each of these churches and, in doing so, established the architectural model for parish church construction throughout NSW. This item is also significant as the Greek Orthodox Cathedral for Australia. Since its conversion and re-consecration to the Orthodox faith in 1970, the cathedral has become a cultural centre for worship, education and the continuity of Greek customs, traditions and language in Australia.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady has state heritage significance for its association with the migrant communities that settled in Australia following the Second World War. Establishing churches and maintaining the orthodox faith has always been a significant aspect of the Greek-Australian experience and with the settlement of a new population after the war, the formation of a cathedral for Greek Orthodoxy was of fundamental importance. The cathedral became the focal point of cultural, education and philanthropic life in the community and was essential for the ongoing practice and celebration of their customs, traditions and language. The building also has a significant association with the acclaimed colonial architect Edmund Blacket. Blacket was the diocesan architect for the Church of England and was awarded three important commissions in the late 1840s - these being St Paul's in Redfern, Church of the Holy Trinity in Berrima and St Phillips in Church Hill. Blacket designed different Gothic forms for each of these churches and, in doing so, established the architectural model for parish church construction throughout NSW. The former Anglican church also has a significant association with Reverend Francis Bertie Boyce, who resided over the parish from 1886 until his retirement in 1930. A notable and active leader for social reform, Boyce used his political connections to campaign for clearing slums, improving living conditions, promoting pensions and alleviating working class distress.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady has state heritage significance as an early example of Edmund Blacket's work as Diocesan Architect for the Church of England and as a largely intact example of his ecclesiastical designs in the Colonial Decorated Gothic style. Positioned in a visually prominent location, the design of this landmark church made use of an already popular architectural style that was a potent reflection of the buildings of Britain (of home).
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady has state heritage significance for the important role it continues to have in the lives of the Greek Orthodox community in NSW. Following the Second World War and the government-assisted migration program, a significant Greek community settled in NSW and the establishment of a cathedral was important as a place to meet, maintain the orthodox faith and continue the Greek customs, traditions and language. Churches have always been a significant aspect of the Greek-Australian experience and, with the settlement of a new population after the war, the cathedral became the focal point for the social, cultural, education and philanthropic life in the community. This social significance continues as the generations of migrant-descendants learn and celebrate their Greek identity. Today, the cathedral is internationally recognised as the seat of Greek Orthodoxy in Australia and provides service for the most significant events within the church. As the Greek Orthodox cathedral in Australia, this site has particular significance for those follow the Greek Orthodox faith.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Expansion of the adjacent railway facilities saw the resumption of acres of church land in 1911 - leading to the demolition of the school (1854) and rectory (1864). Further archaeological exploration of this site may reveal evidence of these earlier buildings.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	This building may be considered rare as the seat of Greek orthodoxy in Australia but its design (originally as an Anglican church) is not particularly rare in NSW.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady is a representative example of Gothic-style churches designed by Edmund Blacket during his career as diocesan architect for the Church of England. During the colonial period, architecture was commissioned by the British settlers and was often designed to reflect the buildings of their homelands. The ecclesiastical building models were symbolic of Christianity and Blacket, in keeping with other colonial architects of the time, took inspiration from the design of established churches in England. Its use as a Greek Orthodox Cathedral is also representative of religious institutions being used as a community meeting place for the continuity and practice of traditional customs and language. Churches were often used by migrant communities for this purpose.
Integrity/Intactness:	Despite some internal modifications to convert the former Anglican church into its current use as the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the building is in very good condition and retains much of its integrity and intactness.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Heritage Act - Site Specific Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady 242 Cleveland Street, Redfern SHR No. 1881 I, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, in pursuance of section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977, do, by this my order, grant an exemption from section 57(1) of that Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out of any activities described in Schedule "C" by the owner, mortgagee or lessee of the land described in Schedule "B" on the item described in Schedule "A". The Hon Robyn Parker MP Minister for Heritage Sydney, 12 Day of April 2012 SCHEDULE A The item known as the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, situated on the land described in Schedule B. SCHEDULE B All those pieces or parcels of land known as Lot 1 DP 235433 in Parish of Alexandria, County of Cumberland shown edged heavy black on the plan catalogued HC 2523 in the office of the Heritage Council of New South Wales. SCHEDULE C Internal modifications to non-significant buildings on the site. Internal and external works to the cathedral require prior formal approval from the Heritage Council of NSW; Activities associated with the ongoing use of the cathedral for religious and community purposes, provided that no permanent physical work is undertaken; Modification, repositioning, addition and/or removal of internal moveable items and furnishings related to the conversion of St Paul's Church into the Greek Orthodox Cathedral (excluding work to or the removal of the existing pews beyond general maintenance); Activities for replacing security measures with similar materials/devices, provided that no additional fixings to the fabric of the cathedral are required; Activities for installing and replacing external signage where the signs are not attached to the fabric of the cathedral; Continuing maintenance, cleaning and repairs of existing fabric and structures, provided they do not negatively impact on the heritage significance of the place; and All activities for gardening of existing garden beds, provided these activities do not impact on or damage existing built structures, such as retaining walls and fences.	Apr 16 2012
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register	01881	17 Apr 12	41	938 & 940
Local Environmental Plan	81	09 Dec 05	154
Register of the National Estate	02059	21 Mar 78

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Anastasios Myrodis Tamis	2005	The Greeks in Australia
Written	Andreas Papageorgopoulos	1981	The Greeks in Australia - A home away from home
Written	Bishop Ian Shevill (ed)	1964	The Orthodox and other eastern churches in Australia
Written	Demetris Tsingris	1998	The Church of the Holy Trinity - Bouke & Ridges Streets, Surry Hills, Sydney: 1898-1998, 100 years of history of Greeks and Orthodoxy
Written	Hugh Gilchrist	2004	Australians and Greeks: 2 - The Middle Years
Written	Hugh Gilchrist	2004	Australians and Greeks: 3 - The Later Years
Written	Joan Kerr	1983	Our Great Victorian Architect Edmund Thomas Blacket (1817-1883)
Electronic	Kay Walsh & Joy W. Hooton		Australian Autobiographical Narratives: Volume 2 - 1850-1900’	View detail
Electronic	KJ Cable		Boyce, Francis Bertie (1844-1931)	View detail
Electronic	Robert SM Withycombe		Boyce, Francis Bertie (1844-1931)	View detail
Written	Stephen Judd & Kenneth Cable	1987	Sydney Anglicans
Written	Weir & Phillips Architects and Heritage Consultants	2007	Heritage Impact Statement: The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady - formerly St Paul's Church of England
Written	Williams, Sue	2021	Iconic Sydney Cathedral plans $27.5m restoration
Written	Yiannis E. Dimitreas	1998	Transplanting the Agora: Hellenic Settlement in Australia’

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5050395
File number:	S90/03047, 11/03847

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

All information and pictures on this page are the copyright of Heritage NSW or respective copyright owners.