The first cathedral foundation stone was laid in 1860 to a design by William Wardell, a student of Augustus Pugin.

[3] Structural problems caused by faulty construction resulted in the cathedral being largely dismantled[4] and re-constructed to a new design based on Wardell's initial plans,[4] by Hobart architect Henry Hunter.

[5][6] A Norman-era baptismal font, with connections to Pugin is believed to have been installed in St Mary's Cathedral, Hobart.

A historian noted that 'the detail repertoire of this font is characteristic of transitional work of roughly the period 1170 to 1200.

'[7] The first organ at St Mary's Cathedral was moved to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, New Town.