History St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast

st anne s cathedral northwest



detail above entrance



interior

the first architect sir thomas drew, foundation stone being laid on 6 september 1899 countess of shaftesbury. old parish church of st anne francis hiorne of 1776 had continued in use, until 31 december 1903, while new cathedral constructed around it; old church demolished. samaritan window, seen in sanctuary, feature of old church retained in cathedral. initially, nave of cathedral built, , consecrated on 2 june 1904.

in 1924 decided build west front of cathedral memorial ulstermen , women had served , died in world war i. foundation stone laid governor of northern ireland, duke of abercorn on 2 june 1925 , completed facade, amended design architect sir charles archibald nicholson, dedicated in june 1927.

in meantime, central crossing, in choir sits, built between 1922 , 1924. baptistery, plans drawn late w h lynn, had assisted sir thomas drew, dedicated in 1928, , chapel of holy spirit, beautiful mosaics depicting saint patrick, dedicated on 5 july 1932, 1500th anniversary of arrival of st patrick in ireland.

edward, lord carson, leader of unionist cause @ time of home rule crisis, buried (with state funeral) in south aisle of cathedral in 1935. in 1941 cathedral destroyed german bomb, caused extensive damage surrounding properties. in 1955 work began on construction of ambulatory, @ east end of cathedral. work dedicated in 1959, not ten years possible begin work on north , south transepts. troubles , inflation led long delays , major problems financing of work.

the south transept, containing chapel of unity, , organ loft above, dedicated in 1974, , north transept, large celtic cross designed john macgeagh on exterior, , housing chapel of royal irish rifles, completed in 1981.

in april 2007 40-metre stainless steel spire installed on top of cathedral. named spire of hope , structure illuminated @ night , part of wider redevelopment planned cathedral quarter. base section of spire protrudes through glass platform in cathedral s roof directly above choir stalls, allowing visitors view nave.