Tested by Fire: The Story of the Burning of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta

Published by St Pauls Publications and the Diocese of Parramatta

152 pages, A4 size (210 X 297mm, portrait), four colour throughout, hard bound

Tested by Fire is the first book by Monsignor John Boyle and is his personal memoir of the devastating fire of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in 1996. Monsignor Boyle was Dean of the Cathedral at the time. Published by St Pauls Publications and the Diocese of Parramatta, the book is released in advance of the 30-year anniversary of the tragic fire.

'When Firefighters arrived at St Patrick's Cathedral, they were presented with an unenviable task - saving the cathedral was not possible. The loss of the cathedral was devastating for them, the St Patrick's parishioners and the whole community. Monsignor Boyle captures these wider impacts as well as his own individual challenges through the immediate aftermath and the collective strength of the St Patrick's community to build a new cathedral.'

Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM - Fire and Rescue NSW