High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! St Mary Star of the Sea is one of the most beautiful and historically significant churches in Australia. The foundation stone of St Mary`s was laid in 1882 and the building was completed by 1900. Since 2002 restoration has been ongoing to restore the church to its original splendor. Built with seating for over 1,200 people, it has been described as the largest parish church in Melbourne, in Victoria, or even in Australia.