Located at 20 Grosvenor Street, The Rocks, Sydney 2000 near Wynyard station, St Patrick's Church welcomed its fist parishioners in 1844 after 4 years of construction since the laying and blessing in 1840 of the Foundation Stone by Dr John Bede Ponting, Australia's first Bishop.
It was the second Catholic Church built in Sydney, although it is in fact the oldest Catholic Church building after St Mary's Cathedral burnt down and was rebuilt in 1882.

In 1868 the parish, together with the Church, was entrusted to the care of the Marist Fathers. The Sisters of Mercy, who conducted schools in the parish, arrived in 1864.

Major restoration work was carried out in 1999 and it was carefully restored to its former grandeur. It features an imposing high alter crafted in Paris and installed in 1889. The impressive stained glass windows, the oldest of the sanctuary, were installed in 1849. Most of the statues located throughout the church date from the early 20th century and were imported from France.

To find out more on the history of the Church, mass times and attending a service please click here

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Sydney Architecture