Chapel
The Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel
This impressive and historic Chapel was built in 1913 in memory of Mary MacKillop. It has become a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people who visit her Tomb to pray and reflect. August 8th, Mary’s Feastday, is a special day of pilgrimage/prayer each year.
The heart of Mary MacKillop Place is the Memorial Chapel, which holds the tomb of Mary MacKillop. The Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel at Mount Street, North Sydney, was dedicated by the Very Rev Michael Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney, in 1913.
The Chapel is an imposing building. The main entrance is in Mount Street, North Sydney. Over the porch stands a statue of the Sacred Heart as this devotion is integral to the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Into the facade are set stone traceried windows above which are tall commanding spires of carved stone.
Inside, the Chapel building is divided into nave and aisles by white chiselled stone pillars, from which rise arches supporting the roof. The front panel of the altar contains a carved relief of white marble depicting the Last Supper.
Significant Dates Regarding the Chapel
| 12 January 1913 | The Foundation Stone of the Chapel was blessed. |
| 8 December 1913 | The first Mass was celebrated. |
| 18 January 1914 | The Memorial Chapel was blessed and opened by Archbishop Kelly. |
| 28 January 1914 | Mary's remains were transferred from the Gore Hill Cemetery to the Chapel erected in her memory. |
| 29 January 1914 | Mary MacKillop's remains were re-interred in the tomb at the front of the altar of Mary the Mother of God. |
| 2 December 1970 | Pope Paul VI here addressed Major Superiors of Religious Orders on the subject of Christian Education. |
| 20 December 1993 | Mary's body was placed in the present tomb to the right side of the altar. |
| 19 January 1995 | Pope John Paul prayed at the tomb before the Beatification ceremony at Randwick. |
Chapel Times The Chapel is opened daily 10am-4pm |
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| Mass times are as follows: | |
| Monday to Friday | 8am |
| Wednesday | 1pm |
| Sunday | 10am |
| 8th of each month additional Masses | 10am, 11.30am, 1pm |
| (When 8th of each month falls on a Sunday, the only additional Mass is at 11.30am) | |
Wedding & Baptism Bookings
Therese McGarry rsj
Ministries Manager
Ph: (02) 8912 4818
Fax: (02) 8912 4835
Email: therese.mcgarry@sosj.org.au
Pastoral Care Centre
Support from members of the Pastoral Care Team is available to those who visit the Chapel.
Pastoral Care Team
Ph: (02) 8912 4889
Fax: (02) 8912 4835
Email: pastoralcare@sosj.org.au
For more information please see the Sisters of St Joseph website.