The Convent of Mercy Chapel is the spiritual heart of Sacred Heart College. Completed in 1874 under the direction of Mother Xavier Maguire, it stands today as a distinguished and beautifully preserved example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. Built by stonemasons brought over from Ireland, its physical journey involves a fascinating tapestry of international design, structural drama, and meticulous community restoration.
| Architectural Foundations 1863 to 1974 | The construction of the chapel spanned over a decade and involved a unique collaboration of global talent. The original drawings were undertaken by John Bourke of Dublin. Significant modifications were made to these plans by William Wardle before they were finalised by T.A. Kelly of Melbourne, who was contracted to execute the build. |
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| Completion and Solemn Blessing 24 May 1874 | The chapel was officially completed. Because Archbishop Goold was absent on church business in Rome, the solemn ceremony of blessing and opening the chapel was performed by Dean Fitzpatrick. |
| The Side Chapel Addition 1877 | Expanding the footprint of the sacred space, a side chapel was successfully added to the structure, designed by noted regional architect Alexander Davidson. |
| Vatican II & The Pillar Removal 1966 | Following the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, the high altar was brought forward to allow the priest to face the congregation. Shortly after, a central supporting pillar dividing the main chapel from the boarders’ chapel was removed, as the Sisters felt it obscured the boarders' view of the altar. |
| The Cockatoos and the Crisis 2010 | After decades of developing extensive cracking, long blamed simply on regional drought, the chapel faced a crisis. A flock of wild cockatoos moved into the slate roof, causing severe damage. When structural engineers were called in to inspect the roof, they discovered a deeper issue: the entire structure had been compromised by the removal of the central pillar 45 years prior. |
| Restoration and Rebirth 2010 to 2012 | The chapel was closed for two years for an extensive, vital restoration. The structural pillar was safely reinstated, the slate roof replaced, and the interior entirely revitalised with updated heating and lighting. The historic sanctuary dome and chapel walls were beautifully repainted. |
Today, the chapel seamlessly blends its 19th-century bones with thoughtful modern craftsmanship that honours its history:
The Redgum Altar & Lectern
During the 2010 restoration, workers discovered original redgum foundational beams rotting in the subfloor. Instead of discarding them, artisan Scott Ballan salvaged and beautifully crafted them into our current altar and lectern.
The Sanctuary Lamp
Imported from Dublin, Ireland, this ornate lamp originally hung in St. Patrick’s Hall and serves as the crowning touch to the sanctuary.
The Fincham Organ
Our historic, over 130-year-old organ was completely serviced and given a magnificent visual facelift, featuring a striking custom Gothic design painted onto the pipe facade by Mulholland Restoration and Decorating.
The crowning jewel of the Convent Chapel is its magnificent stained-glass sanctuary window, installed in time for the opening ceremony in 1874. A gift to the Sisters of Mercy from the families of the early boarders, this window stands as a breathtaking monument of faith, art and community generosity.
The unique design of the window was deeply personal, inspired by the vision of Mother Xavier Maguire. It was her explicit wish that the Sisters could look up from their chapel seats and follow Christ’s final journey through the Stations of the Cross during their daily devotions.
The Stations of the Cross
Uniquely integrated directly into the glass, the window depicts all 14 Stations surrounding the central imagery.
The Sacred Heart
The central panel beautifully portrays the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the namesake of our College.
The Pelican
A lower panel illustrates a pelican feeding her young with her own blood a profound, traditional symbol of Christ the Redeemer giving His life for humanity.
The window represents an incredible blend of global and local artistry. It was crafted using premium glass sourced directly from Italy, constructed by the renowned Melbourne firm Ferguson and Urie, and designed by the English architect and master stained-glass artist, David Relph Drape.
After emigrating to Australia, David Relph Drape became famous for designing intricate windows for churches and private homes across Victoria. In many of his works, Drape subtly and almost invisibly painted his name or initials into the complex scenes. If he left his signature on our Sacred Heart College sanctuary window, it remains a hidden secret waiting to be found.
