Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre
Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre
Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Museum tells the story of Monsignor John Hawes as priest and Architect through interpretive panels, audio-visual presentations and artefacts. Come and learn about the extraordinary man behind the buildings! After visiting the Museum, you can book a guided tour through St Francis Xavier Cathedral. During September, the wildflower season in the Mid West, tours every day at 2:30pm, except Friday when its at 4:00pm.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
29 reviews
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Bozeman-Dublin
Trim, Ireland8,860 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Friends
A very nice pre-cursor to a guided tour of the St Francis Xavier Cathedral designed and built by Monsignor Hawes.
It details his life and times, both his background and his religious work as well as his interest in architecture and design.
Nice exhibit too about his love of dogs. Some good interactive displays, maps and photos.
It details his life and times, both his background and his religious work as well as his interest in architecture and design.
Nice exhibit too about his love of dogs. Some good interactive displays, maps and photos.
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum. It's a great way to discover the man behind the iconic Cathedral.
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ITRT
Virginia38,566 contributions
Dec. 2022
This center is located on the grounds of St Francis Xavier Cathedral. The Center’s displays describe the legacy of Monsignor John Hawes the priest and architect of the cathedral. Some of his original works, sketches and other memorabilia are housed in the Center. During his 24-year time in Western Australia, Hawes designed many buildings and many of his drawings and models are featured in the center. There is a café ad gift shop. On the side of the Heritage Center is the Cathedral Columbarium. It is integrated into a garden of native flora. Worth a visit.
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum. It certainly has a fascinating story to tell about an amazing man.
Written 7 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pen1949
7 contributions
Oct. 2022
What an interesting view of the area and history. An amazing man, covered well in a variety of media - spoken word, diary excerpts, photos, belongings. Well worth it.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad you enjoyed your visit to the Monsignor Hawes Interpretative Centre. It tells an amazing story.
Written 29 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HDStripad
Australia903 contributions
Sep. 2022
What an amazing man Monsignor John Hawes was! Architect by profession, priest by vocation; in the service of the church, carpenter, builder, woodworker, artist, sculptor, interior decorator and fundraiser; in his spare time, horse trainer and jockey and more. His legacy in Geraldton is legendary, his story is told in the centre that bears his name.
Written 2 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting. Yes Hawes was an amazing man. The Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre is a great venue to discover his story.
Written 29 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mjail5
Perth, Australia1,460 contributions
Jan. 2021
This is our 3rd visit to Geraldton in the last 5 years and we never fail to stop by at the cathedral. However, this is the first time we have visited the Museum.
A very friendly lady was manning the centre and the gentleman was very kind to offer to take a pic for us at the statue of John Cyril Hawes and his terrier, Toots which was outside the Museum when they were closing up.
We did not have enough time to read up on everything in our 40mins before the Museum closed but I learnt a lot on the life of the talented Architect/Priest Monsignor Hawes. He even bred and raced horses ! Will have to revisit if we ever visit Geraldton again,
A very friendly lady was manning the centre and the gentleman was very kind to offer to take a pic for us at the statue of John Cyril Hawes and his terrier, Toots which was outside the Museum when they were closing up.
We did not have enough time to read up on everything in our 40mins before the Museum closed but I learnt a lot on the life of the talented Architect/Priest Monsignor Hawes. He even bred and raced horses ! Will have to revisit if we ever visit Geraldton again,
Written 15 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Atlas1669
Perth, Australia56 contributions
Jun. 2020
The heritage centre is certainly worth a visit. It acknowledges the life and work of a talented Monsignor John Hawes both as a priest and as an architect. His architectural contribution to the area is remarkable. Called in by chance and glad that we did.
Written 4 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you called in! The story of John Hawes is an important part of the history of WA. He was an amazing man and has left an incredible legacy for the people in the Mid-West of WA.
Written 5 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tenterden
Alstonville, Australia15 contributions
Jun. 2019 • Couples
Adjacent to the cathedral is this wonderfully presented story of its priest/architect, Monsignor Hawes, from England, of whom, like Sir Christopher Wren, it could be said, “Si monumentum requiris circumspice" (If you seek his monument, look around.)
The story told in the museum is quite remarkable. Hawes was the son of a solicitor, educated in The King's School, Canterbury, Kent. He qualified as an architect, converted from England to Rome, and made his mark in the colonies, sometimes in considerable hardship. The museum tells this part of Hawes' tale and what happened later and elsewhere.
The story told in the museum is quite remarkable. Hawes was the son of a solicitor, educated in The King's School, Canterbury, Kent. He qualified as an architect, converted from England to Rome, and made his mark in the colonies, sometimes in considerable hardship. The museum tells this part of Hawes' tale and what happened later and elsewhere.
Written 16 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum. We have many monuments to the Priest/Architect John Hawes in the Midwest of Western Australai - not least of which is the remarkable St Francis Xavier Cathedral adjacent to the Museum. I hope you had a chance to visit some of his buildings.
Written 4 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
_tdobeli
Bendigo, Australia12 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Couples
What a magnificent building the Cathedral is which is complemented by the heritage centre. Well worth a visit. A great man with a brilliant concept on building things that will last.
Written 12 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit and kind remarks. Yes John Hawes was a remarkable man who achieved great things in his lifetime, here in the Midwest of Western Australia as well as in the UK and The Bahamas where he is now resting beneath his beloved Hermitage on Cat Island.
Written 4 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Liz R
Perth, Australia58 contributions
Jan. 2019 • Friends
A visit to the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Geraldton first got me interested in Monsignor Hawes and his work. So I was very pleased to visit this excellent museum dedicated to his life and work. Well worth the visit. The guides were very informative and helpful.
Written 27 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit and kind comments. The guides are all very proud of the wonderful Museum and the Cathedral and are very happy to show them off to visitors.
Written 4 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob A
Sydney, Australia250 contributions
Nov. 2018 • Couples
Having already visited the ST FRANCIS XAVIER(GERALDTON CATHEDRAL) we were told to go over & look at the Heritage Centre.This amazing Priest cum Architect was responsible for many buildings & he had a hands on approach with the actual building of some of them.His original drawings have been kept in draws at the centre & one can open them up & see them. Truly a gifted & well respected man who spent some time in the Bahamas before returning home to W.A.
Written 10 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your great review Bob. The Heritage Centre is definitely worth a visit. The story of John Hawes is one of the Mid-West of WA's best kept secrets.
Written 8 January 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Claim your listingMonsignor Hawes Heritage Centre: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre
- Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Hotels near Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre:
- (0.34 km) The Gerald Apartment Hotel
- (0.45 km) Geraldton Backpackers on the Foreshore
- (0.48 km) Ocean Centre Hotel
- (0.32 km) 2 BEDROOM VILLA JUST STEPS FROM THE OCEAN
- (0.34 km) Geraldton City Stay Cottage- Walk to the beach & city, pet friendly, King Bed
- Restaurants near Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre:
- (0.03 km) Laian Restaurant
- (0.25 km) Go Health
- (0.61 km) Salt Dish
- (0.52 km) L'Italiano Restaurant
- (0.46 km) Cafe Fleur