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.

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

[8] 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 Catholic community had intended to build a full cathedral on Commonwealth Avenue but their plans were never realised as the Great Depression took away the ability to raise funds for the project and the impetus was never regained.

[11] 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.