Saint Mary's Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral on St Mary's Road in the Sydney CBD is the principal Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Sydney, completed in its current Gothic Revival form in 1928 and standing as one of the most recognisable buildings on the city's skyline. Its connection to Australian rock music is indirect but significant: it was the venue for the funeral of Michael Hutchence on November 27, 1997, five days after the INXS frontman was found dead in a Double Bay hotel room. The service drew thousands of mourners and was broadcast nationally.

Hutchence's funeral at St Mary's was one of the great public expressions of grief in Australian popular culture history. His coffin was carried through streets lined with fans; the cathedral was packed with INXS bandmates, musicians, industry figures, and friends from his global life. Paula Yates and their daughter Tiger Lily were present. The service was a moment in which Australia collectively processed the loss of a musician who had been part of the national fabric for fifteen years.

St Mary's Cathedral is open daily to visitors and is one of Sydney's most architecturally impressive buildings, with Gothic spires that frame the Hyde Park vista from College Street. It hosts regular services and is also used for civic funerals and state occasions. Tours are available. The connection to Hutchence is not formally marked, but for those who were alive in Australia in 1997, St Mary's carries the memory of that November morning.