THEY delved into history dating back 150 years during a tour of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John yesterday.
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The tour was held as part of the Autumn Colours program, which features a wide range of history, art, food, outdoor and family-friendly events until the end of May.
Catholic Diocese of Bathurst vice chancellor Tony Eviston said there is a great interest in local history, with the city’s churches a hub of heritage.
Mr Eviston invited questions from the 13 participants during the two-hour tour.
“I respond really to the questions people ask and fill in the history of the church and the part it plays in the life of the city,” he said.
“Lots of the people have personal memories and we share that and build on that.”
Mr Eviston also spoke about when sections of the cathedral were built and then later renovated.
“We do the history of the building from 1861 and the sanctuary from 1897,” he said. “We talk about those and what was done and who was involved.
“There were major renovations from 1961 to ’63.”
Tour participants were also guided through the cathedral’s crypt, gallery and sanctuary.
“We would rarely use the gallery now for a Sunday worship, even at Christmas, the only people that go up there on a regular basis would be the choir,” he said.
Mr Eviston spoke about the cathedral’s impressive marble relief altar in the sanctuary, which is constructed from Sicilian marble and carved by Irish sculptor James Pearce.
Some of the cathedral’s artefacts were shown during the tour.
“People just love looking at those things and remembering and connecting them with their own lives,” Mr Eviston said.
“There were a couple of people there in their 80s who remembered back to the times of Bishop Norton, the longest-serving bishop the diocese has had.
Pick up a copy of the Autumn Colours program at Bathurst Information Centre or call 1800 68 1000.