[1] The Church of England was given responsibility for the north-east coast of Papua from Cape Ducie to Mitre Rock, near the border with German New Guinea.

When the then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, visited in 1991 for the Mission's centenary, he planted a sapling from the tree in Popondetta, the location of the Anglican theological college.

[12] The original design was by Leslie Wilkinson, Professor of Architecture at the University of Sydney, but was found to be too ambitious, and had to be considerably modified.

[13] The modified plan was prepared and executed by Robert Jones, a lay worker at the mission who was subsequently ordained in 1940.

As the diocesan boat, the Maclaren King, arrived at Wedau, the assembly of Papuans on the beach sang the hymn Now Thank We All Our God.

[24] The jubilee took place in 1941, and was celebrated on the feast of St Laurence, 10 August, with Holy Communion at 6 and 7 am, followed by Mattins at 10 am, and then the ordination of two Papuan priests.

Other features installed by 1940 included a bronze sanctuary lamp, standard candlesticks made of Australian blackwood given by St Peter's, Eastern Hill, and a tabernacle for reservation of the Blessed Sacrament.

[35] A number of Anglican clergy and lay workers were murdered by the invading Japanese in WWII, north of Dogura in 1942.

[36] As a memorial to all of those who died at the hands of the Japanese, known as the New Guinea Martyrs, Benson painted a mural on the east end of the Sanctuary of the cathedral.