There was a point during the dedication of the altar ceremony at Cottesloe, last week, when the church felt like a great bellows as the community sang its eponymous hymn in honour of their patroness, St Mary, ‘Star of the Sea’.
The August 20 event was the culmination of months of renovation work beginning in November last year.
The work included the replacement of the church’s roof, re-pointing of its stonemasonry, the addition of a new stained glass window, and extensive work to its interior.
The church’s new marble sanctuary includes a marble presider’s chair, a marble ambo, and a marble altar.
Bishop Donald Sproxton anointed the altar with oil after earlier placing relics of St Cecilia and St Maria Goretti in its reliquary.
Assistant parish priest Fr Wilson Donizetti Martins made use of the new baptismal font, sunk into the floor immediately in front of the altar, baptising three new Christians: Solomon Jack Bowler Vittorio, Lynda Curtis and Katya Amadita.
Parish priest, Fr James D’Souza was clearly delighted with the work, and with the night’s celebration.
“I would like to thank each one of you. There are many, many people who have given their time and who have been very generous for us to proceed with this renovation work.
“I am very grateful to God, first of all – to God, who helped me to go forward and to finish this work together with the parish community.”
Fr D’Souza thanked and congratulated building designer Tommaso Trentin on doing a “beautiful job”, as well as Perth Builders’ Sergio Lucas and Colgan Industries.
West Australian Premier and Member for Cottesloe Colin Barnett joined the parish community in the hall after Mass, congratulating them on their hard work.
“What a beautiful church and what a wonderful job this parish has done in terms of its restoration,” Premier Barnett said.
St Mary, Star of the Sea church was completed in 1904 and was designed by architect Michael Cavanagh who also designed the 1929 Gothic section of St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, and St Patrick’s Basilica in Fremantle.