[1] The original foundation stone was put in place on 17 March 1856 by the vicar general, Father Michael Ryan, with the first part of the cathedral being dedicated on 11 July 1858.

[citation needed] The cornerstone of the current bell tower was laid in 1887, but the lower part was only built between 1923 and 1926 during expansion work on the cathedral, when the western aisle was also extended.

[2] On 8 March 1931, Spence dedicated the octagonal pulpit, designed by Adelaide architect Herbert Jory, with its intricate and detailed decoration carved out of Australian blackwood.

It was erected as a memorial to Roman Catholic soldiers who had died in World War I and is regarded as an important example of church furniture.

[7] Located at the north-western corner is a statue of St John the Baptist, which was carved in Tuscany in 1925 and features a picture of the baptism of Jesus.

The lady chapel altar, located at the south-west, is made from Carrara marble with inset panels of simulated lapis lazuli (although many texts erroneously describe it as real) and was dedicated in 1954.

The eastern side of the cathedral features a statue of St Patrick, the patron of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, with Celtic symbols prevalent in the surroundings.