Timelines of (1) the development of the Cathedral since 1754 and (2) of the architects who were responsible for the various phases of development. Photograph (right) shows a model of 'The Spire of Hope' which is planned for erection January - February 2006 to complete the cathedral. Further details are included below.

TIMELINE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CATHEDRAL BUILDING

1754, Belfast's second linen hall erected on the present cathedral site in Donegall Street.

1774, 'On Saturday last the Church of this town was thrown down, and on the Monday following the foundations of a new one were begun to be sunk.' (Belfast News Letter, May 10, 1774). The Church was the old Corporation Church in High Street where St George's now stands. The linen hall in Donegall Street was demolished to provide a site for the new church, a gift from town landlord, the fifth Earl of Donegall. It was called St Anne's in honour of his first wife.

The architect was Francis Hiorne of Warwick, assisted by Belfast architect Roger Mulholland. While the church was being built the congregation had the use of Second Presbyterian Church, Rosemary Street.

The rights, etc., of the old church were transferred to St Anne's.

1776, Sunday, October 27 'The elegant new Church erected here by the Earl of Donegall was consecrated by the Bishop of Down and Connor' (Dr Traill). (Henry Joy: Historical Collection)

1781, June 24 William Ware inaugurated the new (Snetzler) organ, a gift from Lord Donegall.

1894, March 7 Bishop Welland propounded a scheme to build a cathedral in Belfast.

1895, April 15 Canon O'Hara, vicar of Belfast, presented the cathedral scheme to the vestry of St Anne's.

1898 A Bill establishing the chapter of the new cathedral was adopted by the Diocesan Synod and passed by the General Synod April 1899.

Architect Thomas Drew's Romanesque design was adopted. A fund-raising campaign begun. The Cathedral Guild was established.

1899 Work begun on the site in August. Henry Laverty and Sons, contractors.

1899, September 6 Foundation stone laid by Constance, Countess of Shaftesbury

[Henry O'Hara first dean.]

[1900 Charles F. D'Arcy, dean]

1903, December 27 Last service held in the old church around which the cathedral had been rising. Congregation used Clarence Place Hall for Sunday worship until the new nave was ready.

[1903 John Joseph Robinson dean]

1904, June 2 Consecration of nave. (Sanctuary of the old church retained; west front still unfinished.)

1906 Andrew Carnegie offered £800 towards the cost of an organ if that sum could be matched locally.

1907 The new organ was inaugurated at the memorial service for Bishop Welland.

[1911 Charles T.P.Grierson dean]
[1919 Thomas G.G.Collins dean]

1922-24 The structure of the baptistry was completed.

1925, June 2 The first stone of the west front waslaid by the Governor of Northern Ireland, the Duke of Abercorn. (The west front was to be completed as a memorial to the Ulstermen and women who had lost their lives in the First World War and as a thankoffering for victory in that war.) The foundations wre also laid for the crypt, crossing and projected central tower. Pillars outlining the choir were built and the spaces between filled by temporary brick walls.

[1926 Henry Robert Brett dean]

1927, June 2 Dedication of west front.

1928, June 2 Baptistry dedicated after completion of decoration.

1929, May 9 Marble and wooden floors of nave dedicated in memory of Elise Milne Barbour. Designed by Charles Nicholson.

1929 Bronze doors (Great West Door) installed. Designed by Charles Nicholson and made by the Tudor Art Company. Given in memory of James Gallaher.

1932, July 5 Dedication of Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
[1932 William Shaw Kerr dean]

1955 September 24 Foundation stone of apse and ambulatory laid by Lord Wakehurst, Governor of Northern Ireland.
[1956 Cuthbert I.Peacock dean]

1959, April 17 Apse and ambulatory consecrated by Archbishop McCann. New stalls provided for choir and chapter.

1969, June 1 Foundation stone of transepts set by Lord Brookborough and blessed by Archbishop McCann.
[1970 Samuel B. Crooks dean]

1974, June 20 South transept consecrated by Bishop Butler of Connor, Chapel of Unity by Bishop Quinn of Down and Dromore.

1981, June 2 Consecration of north transept. (Royal visitor Princess Alexandra, preacher Archbishop Runcie of Canterbury)

1981, June 6 Royal Irish Rangers Chapel dedicated by Bishop Butler.
[1985 John Shearer dean]

1994 Glass doors (west front) erected in memory of Bishop William J. McCappin of Connor.

1998-99 Restoration: clerestory windows re-leaded, building re-wired, surroundings ordered, boundary walls built and car parks laid out. (The freeholds of properties in Talbot Street and Academy Street had been acquired in the 1920s with a view to their demolition in order to open up the cathedral site.)
[2001 Houston McKelvey dean]

2002 Glass screens erected at the Chapel of Unity in memory of Dean Shearer

2002 -2003 Cathedral Centre developed as a memorial to Dean Crooks and Dean Shearer by adapting the former diocesan office block and the Cathedral Hall and vestries

The grandeur of the original conception for the Cathedral has had to be curtailed as building costs escalated. Those behind the cathedral scheme projected a building capable of holding 3-4000 people: that has not come about. A bell-tower 210 feet high (more than twice as high as the nave roof) linked to the ambulatory by a cloister and vestibule, the lower storey to be used as a chapter-house, was also designed but has not been built. The cathedral was to be extended eastwards behind the sanctuary in the form of a chapel capable of holding a couple of hundred worshippers. This has not been realised. Dean Crooks, to whom we owe the completion of the Cathedral as we have it today, wanted to add a light-weight wooden, copper-sheeted fleche over the crossing. This was not possible to achieve.

'SPIRE OF HOPE' TO COMPLETE CATHEDRAL

As part of our centenary celebrations in 2004 the Laganside Corporation sponsored a two stage competition for young architects from throughout Ireland. It was judged panel including two representatives of the Ulster Society of Architects and Monsignor Toner from St Peter's Cathedral as well as Board members.

Fifteen exciting and innovative concept design proposals were received from young architects all over Ireland, reflecting the Cathedral’s vision that the proposed design for the spire would be made of modern light-weight materials, but in keeping with the existing building and its dominant features. They decided on a design by Niall Gault, of Box Architects Ltd.

The Cathedral Board felt that just as the Cathedral was originally built in a period of confidence and growth in the city of Belfast, so too there were many signs of progress in the current re-development of the city. The spire will rise some 40 metres in height and will be illuminated at night and will add to the new city's skyline. But above all else it will be a witness to God's love for the city and the wider community it serves. The aim is that 'The Spire of Hope' will remind people of God's concern for them and the Cathedral's witness and mission of service in that community.

ARCHITECT’S COMMENT

Mr. Colin Conn, chief designer and managing director of Box Architects comments:

“With so much building in that area there is competition to be noticed, but this spire design will certainly signpost the cathedral and place it head and shoulders above the rest. We are delighted to be involved with such an iconic piece of 21st century architecture on the skyline of Belfast and honoured to be able to add the finishing touch to this magnificent building,” he said.

When finished the contemporary titanium clad spire will be able to be viewed from the inside and outside of the cathedral.

Mr. Conn explains, “The spire will puncture the roof of the cathedral allowing natural light to flood around the spire and into the church. It will have a glass surround and when you stand under it will actually appear as if the spire is floating.

“The spire will taper upwards like a needle and due to the stainless steel and titanium materials used in its design it will be illuminated and spotted from miles around.”

DONATIONS: Donations to The Spire of Hope will gratefully be received. A donations response is available on this site.

TIMELINE OF ARCHITECTS OF THE CATHEDRAL
1896-1910 Sir Thomas Drew

1910-1915 W.H.Lynn (Baptistry, designed 1915, built 1922-4, consecrated 1928)

1915-1922 Peter McGregor Chalmers of Glasgow (central crossing, started 1925, Courage and Agriculture capitals)

1922-1924 Richard Mills Close (supervised building of baptistry)

1924-1948 Sir Charles Nicholson of London (west front 1925-7, paving in nave 1929, decoration of baptistry 1927-28, Chapel of the Holy Spirit and muniment room 1930-32, designs of nave capitals, except Courage, Agriculture and Temperance, and corbels)

1948-1963 Thomas H. Rushton of London (eastern apse and ambulatory 1959, designed by Nicholson and Rushton)

1963-1979 John McGeagh (south transept 1974)

1979-1986 Robert McKinstry (north transept 1981, designed by McGeagh).