In the same year the area from Cardwell to Cape York was separated from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brisbane as the Pro-Vicariate of North Queensland.

In 1884 three Irish Augustinian fathers took charge of the pro-vicariate, establishing a priory at Cooktown, and in 1885 they founded the parish of St Monica's at Cairns.

In the interim, mass was held at the Palace Picture Theatre, and the convent school was conducted at the Irish Association's Hibernian Hall.

The effects of the February 1927 cyclone, followed almost immediately by flood damage, a severe trade depression, and waterfront disputes affecting the city's building industry, did not deter the predominantly working- class Catholic community of Cairns from raising within eight months nearly £5,000 toward the re-construction.

Bishop Cahill began the changeover to an administration conducted by the diocesan clergy, and from this point the number of Augustinian priests in the area declined.

The scheme of "planned giving" was adopted throughout Queensland, and was an important contributing factor which enabled the construction and adaptation of a large number of churches during the 1950-60s to accommodate the post Second World War increase in population, and later to reflect changes mandated by the Second Vatican Council decree on the liturgy.

[1] The construction of St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral was one of the major achievements of Bishop Cahill's episcopate.

He was appointed Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese, prior to the completion of St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral, where he remained until his death in 1976.

Early commissions were mainly in the fields of education, health and ecclesiastical architecture, and throughout his career Ian Ferrier designed some 25 churches and chapels, as well as the cathedrals of Cairns, Darwin and Port Moresby.

Ian Ferrier also played an active role in the affairs of his profession, and in 1980 became National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

[1] Bishop Cahill attended the Second Vatican Council, 1961–65, at which the public worship of the Catholic Church was subject to substantial revision after a period of approximately 450 years of rigidity.

Of particular note are the following: The baptistery is a separate structure with a circular plan attached to the northern side of the narthex, and symbolises baptism as the sacrament of entry to the church in the tradition of the Italian Cathedrals such as Pisa, Florence and Sienna.

[1] St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral follows the basic form of the original basilica model of the early Latin churches.

However, Bishop Cahill did not like the colour blue and requested that the windows be constructed with a field of burgundy red glass with an amber border.

The decision to dedicate the cathedral as a war memorial was partly to access the provision of tax deductibility for donations to the building fund.

[1] On Sunday 30 November 1969 the Colours of the 51st Infantry Battalion, the Far North Queensland Regiment, were put "to rest" on the wall in the sanctuary of the cathedral.

[1] In form, the cathedral consists of one large rectangular space of equal height which houses the narthex, choir gallery, nave and sanctuary.

The dominant external expression is of a large rectangular box articulated by regularly spaced reinforced concrete arched window units surmounted by reinforced concrete spandrel panels and separated by brick piers to parapet height concealing a shallow pitched hipped roof.

A single-storeyed verandah with a deep fascia to a horizontal awning supported by concrete columns is located along either side of the cathedral.

[1] The Abbott Street elevation comprises a wide central reinforced concrete arched window surmounting paired timber panelled entrance doors on which are housed the coat of arms of the previous bishops of Cairns.

A cantilevered horizontal awning is located above the entrance doors covering a driveway, and the central window has a large reinforced concrete cross clad in ceramic tiles.

Paired timber panelled doors surmounted by pivoting fanlights are located below each arched window and open from the nave and sanctuary onto the side verandahs.

The nave and sanctuary are within the one large space, with either side characterised by the regular rhythm of vertical windows surmounting paired doors (designed to be open for cross ventilation) separated by solid brick piers.

A choir gallery is located above the narthex and is accessed via a narrow stair concealed behind a brick wall to either side of the entrance doors.

[1] The sanctuary comprises almost the same area as the nave and consists of a raised platform accessed via steps with marble treads and risers.

[1] St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 31 August 1998 having satisfied the following criteria.

After attending the Second Vatican Council, 1961–65, at which the public worship of the Catholic Church was subject to substantial revision after a period of approximately 450 years of rigidity, the Most Rev.

Thomas Cahill Bishop of Cairns commissioned Brisbane architect Ian Ferrier to design the cathedral to reflect these changes.

[1] St Monica's War Memorial Cathedral follows the basic form of the original basilica model of the early Latin Christian churches.

This scheme was adopted throughout Queensland and was an important contributing factor which enabled the construction and adaptation of a large number of churches during the 1950-60s to accommodate post Second World War increases in population, and later to reflect changes mandated by the Second Vatican Council decree on the liturgy.