View of Saint Francis Cathedral, corner of Elizabeth and Latrobe Streets, Melbourne

Abstract

Populated scene of a street corner with a church bordered by paling and iron fences. The church was built on the first government land granted to the Roman Catholics. Building on it commenced in October 1841and in October 1845 the first mass was celebrated. The architect, Samuel Jackson, designed the building in the shape of a cross. It has single buttresses, two sets of triple pinnacles either side of the entrance and a stone cross above the southern pediment. At various times the furthest gum tree on the right held a church bell. As well as the church-goers and passers-by, both men and women, there are depicted two soldiers in red coats, a horse rider, a horsedrawn open carriage, a child and a dog.