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BRIEF HISTORY OF ST COLUMB'S CATHEDRAL LONDONDERRY
Standing on such a prominent site within the far-famed "Derry's Walls", St
Columb's Cathedral is the City of Londonderry's oldest building, having been completed in
1633. The Cathedral is a landmark, which speaks to citizen and visitor alike of much in
the history of the City and represents a commodity of infinite spiritual value in the
development of this area.
The Cathedral is widely recognised locally, nationally and internationally for its active promotion of ecumenical and bridge-building activities and this role is reflected in the regard in which the building is held as a religious venue which is acceptable to all sections of the community.
Cathedral Circa 1930
Reproduced by the kind permission of the
Inishowen Maritime
Museum
It was in the year 1613 that James I formed, by Royal Charter, the new
County of Londonderry and that The Honourable The Irish Society was established to build
the City. Paramount in their plans was the erection of the Cathedral and they immediately
sent over from London a silver-gilt chalice (the 'Promised Chalice') and paten for the
Church they hoped to build. The Chalice is still used during special
services for celebration of Holy Communion.
THE PROMISED CHALICE
The following year a bell was sent over from London with the legend: 'Fear God, Honour the King. Re-cast for Londonderry Steeple in 1614'.
Construction work began in 1628 and the stone which records completion
is to be seen in the porch of the Cathedral:
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If stones could speake Then London’s prayse Should sounde who Built tbis Church and Cittie from the grounde". |
The Cathedral was built of stone from local quarries and skilled stone cutters and masons had to be procured. The old pillars and arches bear testimony to sound judgement and first-rate craftsmanship.
St Columb's is the first Cathedral in the British 'Isles to have been built after the Reformation and is a fine example of 'Planter's Gothic'. There was practically no change in the appearance of the building from 1633 to 1776 when the Bishop of Derry (the 4th Earl of Bristol) added 21 feet to the tower, and placed above this a very tall and graceful stone spire, making a total height of 221 feet, but about 20 years afterwards, his addition to the tower showed signs of giving way and the whole was taken down and rebuilt, the tower being completed in 1802 and the spire being added about 20 years later.
The nave however remained exactly as it was until 1825 when the South Porch was removed. In 1827 the eastern turrets were either rebuilt or else surmounted by domes; before this they appear with battlements.
In 1861/2 the interior of the Cathedral was entirely remodelled, the old square pews were removed, and all the present oak work of the nave was provided, and the galleries in the aisles taken away. Many other improvements were made in the ornaments and furnishings of the building.
The addition of the chancel in 1887 completed the Cathedral on the plan of its founders - the foundations had actually been laid in 1633 and were discovered during building operations. The erection of the Chapter House in 1910 not only provided much needed accommodation for the clergy and choir, but also added greatly to the external appearance of the Cathedral.
Since then work has consisted mainly of maintenance together with some major restoration. Over the Cathedral's almost 400 years of history, it has withstood not only the elements, but also suffered, during the last few decades, quite extensive damage by terrorist bombs – particularly to the historic stained glass windows.
During the last 30 years of civil unrest, the Cathedral has become a focus for inter-community activities, eg a Two Cathedrals Festival, Carol Services and other civic occasions. With the prospect of more peaceful times in Northern Ireland, we hope to build on the image of the Cathedral as a tourist attraction, which even now has on average over 25,000 a year. According to figures published by the N Ireland Tourist Board, the Cathedral is actually the second most popular destination in the country.