Celebrating 170 years of Hobart the Cathedral City

SAINT DAVID’S CATHEDRAL FOUNDATION
To celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Letters Patent from Her Majesty Queen Victoria proclaiming Hobart
Town a Cathedral City, a book capturing the people and the stories of St David’s Cathedral has been released.

This day (Tuesday) in 1842 not only created the Diocese of Tasmania but marked the first formal use of the title
“Tasmania” as it was still known as Van Diemen’s Land up until 1856.

Throughout its vibrant and sometimes turbulent history St David’s Cathedral has helped shape Tasmanian
society and the lives of many Hobart citizens.

“God & the City – A History of St David’s Cathedral” is a historical account of St David’s Cathedral and the lives
it’s touched written by historian and academic, Professor Emeritus Peter Boyce.

Peter tells the fascinating human story with all the achievements, joys, faults and foibles of the people
connected to St David’s Cathedral, particularly its senior clergy.

Professor Boyce said publication of the history seems a fitting way to follow up the physical restorations.

“This book celebrates the Cathedral’s central place in the social history of Hobart and one hopes that it will
capture the attention of those people who have worshipped there or were baptised, confirmed or married
there,” Professor Boyce said.

“It’s much more than just an architectural gem and a home for regular worshippers,” he said. “It’s a splendid
venue for the performing arts and offers sacred space to passers by for meditation or quiet reflection.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Damon Thomas agreed that St David’s holds a unique place in the city’s history and
contemporary life.

“Saint David’s Cathedral has always marked the cornerstone at the heart of the city streets,” Lord Mayor
Thomas said.

“This book will illustrate how it’s close to the heart of many Tasmanians too.”

St David’s Cathedral Foundation secretary Kerry Bowerman said that during the planning of the Cathedral’s
restoration it became evident that there needed to be a written account of the Cathedral’s history.

“The Cathedral has such a long history and it needed to be told,” Mr Bowerman said.

“By getting this information out of the archives the foundation is hoping to bring new light on what the
Cathedral means to Hobart and what part it can play in its future.”

It has taken over six years to finish the book, with Professor Boyce dedicating his free time to writing it
voluntarily.

It is a timely coincidence that its completion coincides with both the finished restorations of St David’s
Cathedral and the anniversary of the Letters Patent.

The St David’s Cathedral Foundation also acknowledges that without funding and ongoing support, both the
restorations and the printing of the book simply wouldn’t be possible.

St David’s Cathedral Recent History of Events:

• 2012 – “God & the City – A History of Saint David’s Cathedral” is published

• 2011 – Cloisters upgrade completed

• 2010 – Stage Two of restorations is completed.

• 2009 – Stage One of restorations begins and is completed.

• 2006 – Peter Boyce takes it upon himself to finish the book alone

• 2004-St David’s Cathedral Restoration and Conservation Project launched

• 2003/2004 – Peter Boyce chosen to lead a team to produce a history on Saint
David’s Cathedral

• 2003 – The Saint David’s Cathedral Foundation was created as a trust for the
ongoing maintenance, long term preservation and enhancing of Saint David’s
Cathedral.