View source for Lancaster Cathedral

{{Short description|Roman Catholic cathedral in Lancaster, England}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Lancaster Cathedral
| fullname = St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster
| image = Lancaster Cathedral northern view.jpg
| imagesize = 200
| imagealt = 
| landscape = 
| caption = Lancaster Cathedral showing the apsical east end, the steeple and the baptistry
| pushpin map = United Kingdom Lancaster
| pushpin map alt = 
| pushpin mapsize = 
| pushpin label position = 
| map caption = Location in Lancaster
| location = St Peter's Road,<br>[[Lancaster, England|Lancaster]], [[Lancashire]]
| country = England
| coordinates = {{coord|54.0470|-2.7939|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
| osgraw = SD 481,615
| denomination = [[Roman Catholic]]
| churchmanship = 
| membership = 
| attendance = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.lancastercathedral.org.uk/}}
| former name = 
| bull date = 
| founded date = 
| founder = 
| dedication = [[Saint Peter]]
| dedicated date = 
| consecrated date = 
| cult = 
| relics = 
| events = 
| past bishop = 
| people = 
| status = Cathedral
| functional status = 
| heritage designation = Grade II*
| designated date = 10 November 1994
| architect = [[E. G. Paley]]<br>[[Austin and Paley]]
| architectural type = 
| style = [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]]
| groundbreaking = 1857
| completed date = 1901
| construction cost = 
| closed date = 
| demolished date = 
| capacity = 
| length = 
| width = 
| width nave = 
| height = 
| diameter = 
| other dimensions = 
| floor count = 
| floor area = 
| spire quantity = 
| spire height = {{convert|240|ft|m|0}}
| materials = [[Sandstone]], with [[slate]] and copper roofs
| parish = 
| deanery = 
| archdeaconry = 
| diocese = [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster|Lancaster]]
| province = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool|Liverpool]]
| presbytery = 
| synod = 
| circuit = 
| district = 
| division = 
| subdivision = 
| archbishop = 
| bishop = [[Paul Swarbrick]]
| subdean = 
| provost = 
| provost-rector = 
| viceprovost = 
| canon = 
| canonpastor = 
| precentor = 
| archdeacon = 
| prebendary = 
| rector = 
| vicar = 
| curate = 
| priest = 
| asstpriest = 
| minister = 
| assistant = 
| honpriest = 
| deacon = 
| seniorpastor = 
| pastor = 
| abbot = 
| chaplain = 
| reader = 
| organistdom = 
| director = Damian Howard
| organist = 
| organscholar = 
| chapterclerk = 
| laychapter = 
| warden = 
| flowerguild = 
| musicgroup = 
| parishadmin = 
| serversguild = 
| logo = 
| logosize = 
}}

'''Lancaster Cathedral''', also known as '''The Cathedral Church of St Peter''' and '''Saint Peter's Cathedral''', is a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[cathedral]] in [[Lancaster, Lancashire|Lancaster]], [[Lancashire]], England. It was a Roman Catholic [[parish church]] until 1924, when it was elevated to the status of a cathedral. It started as a mission church in 1798, and the present church was built on a different site in 1857–59. It was designed by [[E. G. Paley]] in the [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] style and is a grade II* [[listed building]]. In 1901 a [[baptistry]] was added by [[Austin and Paley]], and the east end was reordered in 1995 by Francis Roberts. The cathedral is in active use, arranging services, concerts and other events, and is open to visitors.

==History==

Until the passing of the [[Roman Catholic Relief Act 1791|Roman Catholic Relief Act]] in 1791 Lancaster's Roman Catholics met in a makeshift chapel in St&nbsp;Leonardsgate. Building the first Catholic church in the town began with the laying of the foundation stone for the Lancaster Catholic Mission in Dalton Square on 13 March 1798. The chapel was [[consecration|consecrated]] during the following year.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/before1859.html| title = The parish before 1859| access-date = 2 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> By the middle of the 19th&nbsp;century, there was a need for a larger church. Land for this was purchased on a different site near to the mission church, and the [[parish church]] dedicated to [[Saint Peter]] was built. It was designed by the local architect [[E. G. Paley]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/building.html| title = A new church building| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> Before the church was built, Paley had already designed schools, a [[convent]], and a [[Rectory|presbytery]] which were built on this land. Tenders for the church were invited in March 1857, the foundation stone was laid on 29 April, and the new church was [[consecration|consecrated]] on 4 October 1859 by [[Alexander Goss|Dr&nbsp;Alexander Goss]], the [[Archbishop of Liverpool|bishop of Liverpool]].<ref name=brand59/> The church and its associated buildings cost a total of £15,000 (£{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|15000|1859|2015|r=-4}}}} in 2015),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} of which £2,000 was bequeathed by Thomas Coulston.<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=218.}}</ref> During future years, additions and alterations were made to the church by Paley and his future partner in the practice, [[Hubert Austin]], and by his own son [[Henry Paley]]. These included the addition of a [[baptismal font|font]] in 1860,<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=219.}}</ref> an organ gallery in 1888,<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=237.}}</ref> [[chancel]] stalls in 1899,<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=243.}}</ref> and a new [[baptistry]] in 1901;<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=244.}}</ref> the baptistry cost £4,000 (£{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|4000|1901|2015|r=-4}}}} in 2015).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/baptistery.html| title = Baptistery| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref>

The golden jubilee of the church was celebrated in 1909, and a number of alterations were made under the direction of [[Giles Gilbert Scott]]. These included a new altar, replacement of the tiles on the floor by black and white [[marble]], re-flooring of the [[nave]], painting the walls, and replacing the pine benches by oak pews.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/goldenjubilee.html| title = The Golden Jubilee 1909| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> In 1924 the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster|Diocese of Lancaster]] was created and the church was elevated to the status of a cathedral. The [[cathedra]] (bishop's throne) was placed in the chancel.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/foundationofdiocese.html| title = The foundation of the Diocese of Lancaster| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> When the centenary was celebrated in 1959, the [[pipe organ]] was refurbished, and the painted [[Stations of the Cross]] were replaced by a set of carvings.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/centenary.html| title = The Centenary, 1959| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> Since then, there have been further minor changes to the interior of the cathedral,<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/70sand80s.html| title = The 1970s and 1980s| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> and in 1995 the east end was reordered by Francis Roberts.<ref>{{Citation| url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/1995.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080724182947/http://www.cathedral.plus.com/1995.html| url-status = live| archive-date = 24 July 2008| title = The 1995 reordering| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref>

==Architecture==

===Exterior===
The cathedral is constructed in [[sandstone]] [[ashlar]], with roofs of [[slate]], other than the baptistry which is roofed in copper. The architectural style is [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]]. Its plan consists of a five-[[bay (architecture)|bay]] nave with a [[clerestory]], [[aisle]]s and [[transept]]s, a two-bay chancel with aisles, side chapels, and a semi-octagonal [[apse]]. The steeple stands at the northeast corner, and the octagonal baptistry is attached to the north transept.<ref name=nhl/> The steeple consists of a tower with a spire rising to a height of {{convert|240|ft|m|0}}.<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=61.}}</ref> The tower is in four stages that are separated by [[Course (architecture)#String course|string courses]], and it has a stair [[Turret (architecture)|turret]] at the northwest corner. On the west side of the bottom stage of the tower is a [[gable]]d north porch, above which is a [[canopy (building)|canopied]] [[niche (architecture)|niche]] containing a statue of St&nbsp;Peter, and a three-light window. On each side of the second stage is a row of six arches, the central two arches containing windows, and on each side of the third stage is a small window. The top stage contains paired bell openings, and at the corner of the [[parapet]] are [[pinnacle]]s. The spire is recessed, and has three tiers of [[lucarne]]s. At the west end of the church is a doorway, above which is a five-light window containing [[Decorated Gothic|Geometric]] [[tracery]]. Along the sides of the aisles are three-light windows with [[Decorated Gothic|Decorated]] tracery. In the north transept is a four-light window with Geometric tracery, and the south transept contains a ten-light [[rose window|wheel window]] surrounded by ten circular windows. In the apse are three-light windows containing decorated tracery.<ref name=nhl/>

===Interior===
Inside the cathedral are six-bay north and south [[arcade (architecture)|arcades]], and a west gallery carried on marble [[pier (architecture)|piers]]. Along the sides are chapels and [[confessional]]s. The [[Lady chapel|Lady Chapel]] is at the northeast of the cathedral. The former [[sanctuary#Sanctuary as a sacred place|sanctuary]] has been converted into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, which has paintings on its walls. To the west of the chapel, behind the high altar, is a large [[reredos]] designed by Scott; this consists of a [[triptych]] containing paintings and carvings. The baptistry contains a central marble font, an altar with a reredos, and stained glass windows by [[Shrigley and Hunt]]. There is more stained glass by the same firm elsewhere in the cathedral, and other windows are by [[Hardman & Co.|Hardman]]. Also in the church are monuments, one dating from about 1860 by [[Richard Westmacott (the younger)|Richard Westmacott, junior]].<ref name=pev>{{Harvnb|Hartwell|Pevsner|2009|pp=369–370.}}</ref> The original organ in St Peter's was moved from the mission church in Dalton Square.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=E01300| title = Lancashire, Lancaster, Cathedral of St. Peter, East Road (E01300)| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = [[British Institute of Organ Studies]]}}</ref> This was replaced in 1889 by a new, three-[[manual (music)|manual]] organ by Henry Ainscough of [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]. Alterations were made to it in 1976 by Pendlebury of [[Cleveleys]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N08559| title = Lancashire, Lancaster, Cathedral of St. Peter, East Road (N08559)| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = [[British Institute of Organ Studies]]}}</ref> As of 2012 it is being restored by [[Henry Willis & Sons|Henry Willis and Sons]] of [[Liverpool]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/organ/history.html| title = The Organ at Lancaster Cathedral| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> There is a [[ring of bells|ring]] of ten bells. Eight of these were cast in 1879 by [[John Warner & Sons|John Warner and Sons]], the other two in 1948 by Mears and Stainbank at the [[Whitechapel Bell Foundry]].<ref>{{Citation | url = https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/tower/14567| title = Lancaster RC Cath of S Peter| access-date = 21 February 2023| publisher = [[Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers]]}}</ref>
[[File:St Peter's Cathedral Lancaster.jpg|thumb|St Peter's Cathedral Lancaster]]

==Assessment==
St Peter's was designated as a Grade&nbsp;II* [[listed building]] on 10 November 1994.<ref name=nhl>{{National Heritage List for England |num= 1214397|desc= Cathedral Church of St Peter|access-date= 2 June 2012|mode=cs2}}</ref> Grade&nbsp;II* buildings are defined as being "particularly important buildings of more than special interest"; only 5.5% of the listed buildings are included in this grade.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/listed-buildings/| title = Listed Buildings| access-date = 27 March 2015| publisher = Historic England }}</ref> In the ''[[Pevsner Architectural Guides|Buildings of England]]'' series, Hartwell and [[Nikolaus Pevsner|Pevsner]] express the opinion that the church is the ''"chef d'oeuvre"'' of Paley's works.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hartwell|Pevsner|2009|p=369.}}</ref> They also describe the baptistry as being a ''"tour de force"''.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hartwell|Pevsner|2009|p=370.}}</ref> In his book about the architectural practice of [[Sharpe, Paley and Austin]], Brandwood expresses the opinion that the building is "Paley's masterwork as an independent church architect".<ref name=brand59>{{Harvnb|Brandwood|Austin|Hughes|Price|2012|p=59.}}</ref>

==Today==

The building is in active use as a Roman Catholic cathedral, which arranges Masses and other regular services,<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/Services.html| title = Mass and Services at Lancaster Cathedral| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/Diary.html| title = Cathedral Diary| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> and organises concerts and other events.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/concerts.html| title = Cathedral Concerts and Events| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> The cathedral is open daily to visitors,<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/visitors.html| title = Information for Visitors| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref> and arranges group and educational visits.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/Group%20Visits.html| title = Group Visits| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.cathedral.plus.com/Cathedral%20Trails.html| title = Cathedral Trails| access-date = 3 June 2012| publisher = Lancaster Cathedral}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Interior of St Peter's Cathedral  West end, Lancaster - geograph.org.uk - 652106.jpg|Interior showing the organ and west window
File:St Peter's RC Cathedral , Font - geograph.org.uk - 1060852.jpg|Font in the baptistry
File:Lancaster Cathedral Interior.jpg|Taken from the nave
File:Lancaster Cathedral Blessed Sacrament Chapel - panoramio.jpg|The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
File:Lancaster Cathedral glass 1.jpg|The rose window in the south transept, produced by [[Hardman & Co.]]
File:Lancaster Cathedral glass 7.jpg|The fourth north aisle window, produced by Hardman & Co.
File:Lancaster Cathedral glass 6.jpg|The west window of the south aisle, produced by [[Shrigley and Hunt]] from designs by [[Carl Almquist]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|Lancashire}}
*[[Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire]]
*[[Listed buildings in Lancaster, Lancashire]]
*[[List of ecclesiastical works by E. G. Paley]]
*[[List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin]]

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}
'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
*{{Citation | last = Brandwood| first = Geoff| last2 = Austin| first2 = Tim| last3 = Hughes| first3 = John| last4 = Price| first4 = James| year = 2012| title = The Architecture of Sharpe, Paley and Austin| publication-place = Swindon| publisher = [[English Heritage]]| isbn = 978-1-84802-049-8}}
*{{Citation | last =Hartwell| first =Clare| last2 = Pevsner | first2 = Nikolaus | author2-link =Nikolaus Pevsner| series= The Buildings of England| title =Lancashire: North | publisher =[[Yale University Press]] | year =2009 | orig-year=1969 | location = New Haven and London| isbn = 978-0-300-12667-9}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://www.lancastercathedral.org.uk/}}

{{Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the United Kingdom}}
{{Lancashire churches}}
{{City of Lancaster buildings}}
{{Diocese of Lancaster}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Lancashire|Christianity|Catholicism}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Churches in Lancaster, Lancashire]]
[[Category:Church buildings by E. G. Paley]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed cathedrals]]
[[Category:Austin and Paley buildings]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic cathedrals in England|Lancaster]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Lancaster, Lancashire]]
[[Category:Diocese of Lancaster]]