The first St Francis' altar, made of timber, is now with the Melbourne
Diocesan Historical Commission. In 1877, £300 was bequeathed to St
Francis' to be used for a new altar. Messrs Reed and Barnes drew plans
for a new Romanesque style sanctuary with Corinthian columns and arched
ceiling. The sanctuary was blessed by Dr. O'Connor, Bishop of Ballarat
in 1878 soon after the arrival of the altar from Rome.
In
March 1907, the sanctuary was redecorated with marbling designed by
D Carson and C Becker. On the frieze that runs the whole width of
the sanctuary was inscribed in large gilt letters "Sanctus, Sanctus,
Sanctus, Adoremus in Aeternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum, - Holy, Holy,
Holy, Let Us Eternally Adore the Most Holy Sacrament." The sanctuary
furniture designed by Paul Archibald in 1973 was replaced in 2000
with the present baptismal font and altar crafted by Andrew Patience
and the ambo, chair for the presider and Paschal Candle stand, crafted
by Neville Selleck.
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