Michael Francis Cavanagh (August 1860 – 29 May 1941) was an Australian architect, primarily known for his work in Western Australia from 1895 to the late 1930s.

In 1881 his family moved to Adelaide, South Australia, where his father took on a position as supervisor of public buildings in the Government Architect's Department.

[3] In 1887 he left to study architecture in London, in the studio-offices of John Slater, and then with Frank Baggallay and Walter Millard,[3] before entering the National Art Training School.

He returned to South Australia and rejoined the Government Architect's Department, eventually reaching the position of Chief Draughtsman.

[15] Cavanagh was appointed architect for the project[16] and he produced plans for a completely new limestone Academic Gothic Cathedral.

[17] Due to financial constraints, associated with the onset of the Great Depression, it was decided to utilise the existing building, which subsequently became the nave, and add only new transepts and a sanctuary.

Cavanagh died at a private hospital in Subiaco on 29 May 1941, following a two-month illness, and was buried in the Roman Catholic portion of Karrakatta Cemetery.