Tested by Fire – the Burning of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta

Discover the fiery history and resilience of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta in this live event!

Tested by Fire – the Burning of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta

Join us for an in-person event diving into the dramatic history of the St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta fire. Discover the stories behind the flames and how this iconic site faced its biggest challenge. Perfect for history buffs and anyone curious about Parramatta’s past!

2026 marks the 30-year anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed the heritage-listed St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta and Parish Priest at the time, Monsignor John Boyle has recently released a book about the historical event that captivated the public, politicians and the Australian media.

On 19 February 1996, an arsonist lit a fire that ripped through St Patrick’s Cathedral which took 40 firefighters from six brigades a whole day and evening to pour 13,500 litres of water onto the flames every minute. The devastation was felt nationwide with Prime Minister Paul Keating visiting the site several times, along with NSW Premier Bob Carr, Governor General Sir William Deane, the heads of the Anglican and other churches and even the Rebel bikie gang coming to assist in the aftermath. The arsonist Jason Humphries watched the Cathedral burn. He was captured, arrested and sentenced.

In this entertaining talk Monsignor Boyle will tell the extraordinary story of loss, grief, resilience, rebirth, rebuilding and community spirit that followed the Cathedral’s destruction. He will also discuss how the stunning new cathedral was designed and constructed.