The pioneer priest Father John Rigney decided to build a larger permanent church in 1839.

The church of St Francis Xavier is a stone building in the Gothic style, richly ornamented and large enough to contain 500 people.

The Stations of the Cross were reorganised, carpet laid and the interior painted in tones selected to highlight the stained glass window.

[4] In April 2009, the latest program of restoration was initiated with the replacement of the roof of the cathedral with slate imported from Wales.

[citation needed] On 16 March 2010, the dedication of the renovated cathedral took place as it coincided with the anniversary of the death of Archbishop John Bede Polding, the first bishop in Australia.