The following individuals have served as Roman Catholic Bishop of Goulburn:[2] James Hanley was Administrator starting in May 1863, and was Bishop-elect of this diocese, 1865–1866, but that appointment did not take effect.

St Christopher's was built as the first parish church in Canberra by the first priest, Father Patrick Haydon, although the beginnings of Catholic life in the district go back to 1862 when the Diocese of Goulburn was erected.

The following year St Christopher's became an independent parish with the first classes taught in the adjacent school, and the open day attended by the Prime Minister, Bruce.

In 1930 a large cathedral was proposed for the site behind Regatta Point, but economic circumstances and World War II made this impractical.

[5] A foundation stone for the cathedral was laid in 1938 by Archbishop of Sydney Gilroy in a ceremony which included Joseph Lyons and James Scullin.

The plans for the enlarged church included the bell tower, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, large sacristies and a crypt.

[4] In 2010 it was reported that the archdiocese planned to commence a A$35 million redevelopment of the precinct surrounding St Christopher's Cathedral, to include church offices and aged care units.

[8][9] In subsequent media reports, the diocese entered into an agreement with the ACT Government to exchange land held by the church in Braddon to partially fund the redevelopment of the cathedral site.