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See the showpiece at Geraldton’s $9m St Francis Xavier Cathedral

Liam CroyThe West Australian
VideoArtist and designer Dawn Meader explains her inspiration for the piece, which will sit in the baptismal pool of the St Francis Xavier cathedral in Geraldton.

One of Australia’s most distinctive cathedrals is about to get a stained-glass showpiece eight months in the making.

The historic St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the centre of Geraldton is undergoing a $9 million restoration

It was designed by English architect-priest Monsignor John Hawes in 1916 soon after he arrived in WA and completed 22 years later.

Msgr Hawes designed buildings in England, Australia and the Bahamas but the Geraldton church is his most famous.

The restoration also includes a cafe, landscaping and construction of a new Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre, which will house a collection of items tracking his life and works.

Fremantle artist Dawn Meader is putting in 12 hours a day to complete the stained-glass base of the baptismal pool.

She was asked to include a shell motif and a transition from dark to light.

She said a spiritual experience at the Geraldton cathedral had helped inspire her work.

Artists Dawn Meader, right, and Ashima Milne work on the cathedral’s colourful new glass mosaic.
Camera IconArtists Dawn Meader, right, and Ashima Milne work on the cathedral’s colourful new glass mosaic. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West Australian

“The whole of the church except the altar was sand,” Ms Meader said.

“The stained-glass windows were casting these beautiful pools of colour on to the ground with the softness that you get with that translucence of light.

“I wanted the person being baptised to be held, nurtured by the light.”

Fr Cross said it was true to the spirit of Msgr Hawes to use local artists and craftsman.

“The church has always had a relationship with artists because it’s all about expressing the inexpressible beauty of God,” Fr Cross said.

“Art often speaks deeper to the person than the written word or intellectual engagement.

“ I think we’re in day and age when we’ve become very cerebral and we’re losing contact with the beauty of art.”

The restoration is scheduled for completion next month.

The interior of the cathedral.
Camera IconThe interior of the cathedral. Credit: supplied

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