St Peter's Cathedral
St Peter's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral located in Adelaide, South Australia, serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Adelaide and Metropolitan of the Province of South Australia. It is a significant landmark in the city, known for its French Gothic architectural influences and substantial construction history spanning several decades.
Key Facts
- ›The See of Adelaide was constituted in 1847, with Trinity Church initially serving as the pro tempore cathedral.
- ›Construction on St Peter's Cathedral began in 1869 after a land grant dispute over an earlier site in Victoria Square.
- ›The cathedral's design, initially by William Butterfield, was completed by Edward John Woods, incorporating French Gothic elements.
- ›The building's construction was a protracted process, with work ceasing and resuming multiple times due to funding challenges.
- ›Notable features include a large rose window, extensive stained-glass windows, and the heaviest ring of eight bells in the Southern Hemisphere.
- ›The cathedral has a distinguished musical tradition, with its choir singing services for over 140 years.
- Ornate Rose Window Depicting South Australian and Biblical Stories
- Heaviest Ring of Eight Bells In the Southern Hemisphere
- Extensive Stained-Glass Windows
- Reredos With 23 Coloured and Gilded Panels and Carved Figures
- Carved Choir Stalls and Bishop's Throne
William Butterfield, Edward John Woods
About St Peter's Cathedral
St Peter's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral situated in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It holds the significant position of being the seat of the Archbishop of Adelaide and the Metropolitan of the Province of South Australia.
Foundation and Construction
The establishment of the See of Adelaide in June 1847 marked the beginning of the need for a cathedral. Initially, Trinity Church on North Terrace served as the temporary cathedral church. However, a more permanent site was sought, with land in Victoria Square initially set aside. A land grant was obtained for this site by Bishop Augustus Short in March 1848, with the intention of beginning cathedral construction. Concerns regarding the legality of this grant, which was argued to be public reserve land, led to a Supreme Court judgment in June 1855 confirming the invalidity of the grant and halting construction.
To resolve the situation, Bishop Short purchased over an acre of land on Pennington Terrace in North Adelaide in August 1862. By 1868, sufficient funds had been gathered, and construction was set to begin. William Butterfield was commissioned to design the cathedral, but communication challenges between England and Adelaide led to delays and disagreements. The design was later acquired and given to Edward John Woods of Adelaide architectural firm Wright, Woods and Hamilton for completion. Woods adapted some of the materials and design elements while preserving Butterfield's core proposals, imbuing the structure with a French Gothic character, influenced by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
The foundation stone was laid on St Peter's Day, 1869. Construction progressed slowly, with the first service held in the incomplete building on St Peter's Day in 1876. The first part of the cathedral was consecrated on January 1, 1878, with significant funds having been expended by Bishop Short's retirement in late 1881. Work recommenced in 1890 under Bishop George Wyndham Kennion, focusing on the towers and western nave, but again ceased in 1894 due to depleted funds.
Further contributions, including a bequest from Sir Thomas Elder in 1897 and donations from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Robert Barr Smith, enabled the completion of the nave and towers. The nave was consecrated on July 14, 1901, with the Duke and Duchess of York in attendance. A dedication ceremony for the towers and spires was held on December 7, 1902, with the external structure largely completed and consecrated by April 7, 1904.
Structure and Features
The interior of St Peter's Cathedral measures 61.9 meters (203 feet) in length, with the nave and chancel comprising the majority of this space. The nave is 18.0 meters (59 feet) wide. The cathedral reaches a height of 51.2 meters (168 feet) at the top of its spire's crosses. Construction utilized various sandstone sources, including Tea Tree Gully sandstone for the sanctuary and choir, and stone from Glen Osmond for the building's base and interior.
Among its notable features is a reredos, a decorative structure behind the altar, installed in 1904 and dedicated in 1910. This 10.4-meter (34 feet) high structure, built by St Sidwells Art Works in England, features Christ in the central panel surrounded by saints, with four lower panels depicting events from the life of St Peter. The cathedral also boasts significant fine-quality stained-glass windows, including the large southern transept window and windows funded by various bequests. The remains of the English biologist and statistician Ronald Fisher are interred within the cathedral.
Other significant elements include the carved stalls for the canons and choir, the bishop's throne, and the pulpit canopy, gifted by Sir John Langdon Bonython. The western tower houses the cathedral's ring of eight bells, cast by John Taylor & Co. These bells are recognized as the heaviest ring of eight in the Southern Hemisphere.
Music and Clergy
St Peter's Cathedral is renowned for its long-standing musical tradition, with the St Peter's Cathedral Choir active for over 140 years. The choir, unique in Adelaide for its composition of children and adults, performs major choral services weekly and has undertaken international tours.
The administrative structure of the cathedral evolved over time. Initially, the bishop of Adelaide served as the cathedral's formal rector. Since 1986, the cathedral has been administered as a parish, with the dean of the cathedral acting as rector. The cathedral has a list of deans and bishop's vicars who have served its congregation throughout its history.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was St Peter's Cathedral first planned?
The See of Adelaide was established in 1847. Following a land grant for a cathedral site in Victoria Square in 1848, Bishop Short began fundraising for construction, though legal challenges later invalidated this grant.
Who designed St Peter's Cathedral?
The initial design was by William Butterfield. Edward John Woods of Adelaide architectural firm Wright, Woods and Hamilton completed the plans, making modifications while retaining Butterfield's general design and imbuing it with French Gothic character.
What is the architectural style of St Peter's Cathedral?
St Peter's Cathedral exhibits French Gothic architectural influences, notably in elements of its design as completed by Edward John Woods.
How long did it take to build St Peter's Cathedral?
The construction of St Peter's Cathedral was a lengthy process. The foundation stone was laid in 1869, and the external structure was considered complete with a consecration ceremony in 1904. However, various additions and works continued over subsequent years.
What is significant about the bells at St Peter's Cathedral?
The cathedral houses a ring of eight bells cast by John Taylor & Co in 1946. They are notable for being the heaviest ring of eight bells in the Southern Hemisphere and the second heaviest in the world.
Does St Peter's Cathedral have a notable musical tradition?
Yes, St Peter's Cathedral has a long and distinguished musical reputation. Its choir, composed of children and adults, has been singing services for over 140 years and undertakes international tours.
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