Our Cathedral
1928 Consecration of Cathedral and High Altar
The consecration of St Michael’s Cathedral and high altar coincided with the tenth anniversary of the appointed Bishop Dwyer to the bishopric of Wagga Wagga. According to the custom of the time, in order to consecrate the cathedral, most of the remaining debt had to be repaid.
The additions and alterations to the cathedral had cost approximately
£34,000. In the lead up to the consecration the Cathedral Monitor of October 1928 published a lengthy article:
Our Cathedral
The solemn consecration of our cathedral is to take place on October 13. His Eminence the Papal Legate, Cardinal Ceretti, will be present, and several members of the overseas and Australian hierarchy.
It will be a great day for Wagga Wagga. What a consolation it will be to our beloved bishop to know that at last his beautiful cathedral is free of debt, and has specially been consecrated to God.
Next month a complete list of donors will be published in the Monitor. As we go to press there is still about £1,200 owing on the cathedral, but there are many generous donations still to come, and we feel certain that not a penny of debt will remain on October 13.
Great enthusiasm prevails over the proposed visit of the cardinal, and a huge welcome awaits him from Wagga Wagga and the surrounding districts.
The complete program is not yet at hand, but it will contain religious and public functions that will be carried out in style worthy of so great an occasion. The whole diocese will unite with Wagga Wagga and its beloved bishop in welcoming our Holy Father’s representatives to the Riverina.
