St Mary of the Angels Basilica

A plaque records: THE PARISH OF - ST MARY OF THE ANGELS, GEELONG - The original chapel of the Geelong Mission was blessed by Father - Michael Stephens, The first Pastor, on the first Sunday of Advent - 27 November, 1842.

The Foundation Stone of the second church was laid by Father - Patrick Bonaventure Geoghegan, Pioneer Priest of the Port Phillip - District, on 19 August, 1846.

The first stone of the present church was laid by Most Rev James - Alipius Goold, First Bishop of Melbourne, on 15 June 1854.

The Nave, - completed by Archdeacon Patrick Slattery, was opened for worship - by Bishop Goold on 4 February, 1872. The completed church was consecrated by Most Rev Daniel Mannix - DD Archbishop of Melbourne, on 16 June, 1937, Monsignor Robert - Benson being the parish priest.

This plaque, marking the sesquicentennial of the inauguration of St Mary's Parish was dedicated by Most Rev Thomas Francis Little - DD., Archbishop of Melbourne, on the first Sunday of Advent, - 29 November, 1992, with Monsignor James Murray E V as the Parish - Priest. "MY SOUL GLORIFIES THE LORD - MY SPIRIT EXULTS IN GOD, MY SAVIOUR" - (The Canticle of the Virgin Mary).

A plaque records: The Bronze Vatican Coat-Of-Arms sculpture above the doors of this Basilica was crafted by Francis and Joseph Gatt (Anpas Pty Ltd), and was blessed on the Feast of Mary Queen of the Angels, 2nd August 2005.