Ayr Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ayr Cathedral |
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| Cathedral of Saint Margaret, Ayr | |
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| Location | Ayr, South Ayrshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | gallowaydiocese.org.uk |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | The Church of Saint Margaret |
| Status | In Use |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | A-Listed Building |
| Designated | 28 July 2007 |
| Previous cathedrals | Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Ayr |
| Style | Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 350 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Galloway |
| Province | St Andrews and Edinburgh |
The Cathedral Church of Saint Margaret, also known as Ayr Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Ayr, Scotland. It is where the Bishop of Galloway has his special chair, called a cathedra. This makes it the main church for the Catholic community in the Galloway area. St Margaret's became a cathedral in 2007 after the previous one, Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr, closed down.
Contents
History of Ayr Cathedral
St Margaret's Church, which later became a cathedral, has a long history. It is nearly 200 years old and has changed a lot over time. An architect named James Dempster designed the original church building.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the church was updated. This happened because of a big meeting called Vatican II. These changes made the church's layout different. They helped people in the church take a more active part in Mass. The priest could now face the people during the service instead of facing the main altar.
In the mid-1990s, the church needed a lot of repairs. There were problems with water leaks, dampness, and old windows. The electricity also had issues, and the building showed general wear and tear. Father Martin McCluskey started talking to the church members about needing a big renovation. Sadly, he passed away in 1996 before he could start the work.
When Father Patrick Keegans arrived in 1997, he agreed that repairs were needed quickly. He began the process of planning for the major renovations.
Big Renovations and Reopening
The church had a huge makeover and was re-dedicated in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The main altar area was completely redone. New furnishings, a central walkway, stained glass windows, and a new organ were added. There was also a new, larger room for priests (sacristy) and many other improvements. The ceiling and walls were painted white, and new lighting and central heating were installed.
These improvements cost a lot of money. However, big grants from Heritage Scotland and the National Lottery helped. Also, some very successful fundraising events helped pay off the bills quickly.
During these renovations, the church community signed two special books. One was a Book of Dedication, and the other was a Book of Remembrance. Everyone was invited to sign the dedication book. They could also remember family and friends who had passed away. Both books are now placed under the main altar in the cathedral. They are a lasting memory for church members from the past, present, and future.
The newly renovated church officially reopened on March 31, 2000. Many people attended the ceremony, including important community and religious leaders. Church members from St Margaret's and across the diocese were also there. Bishop Maurice Taylor led the official opening and re-dedication. Canon Matthew McManus, who had served at St Margaret's, gave the sermon.
On September 14, 2007, St Margaret's Church became the cathedral church for the Diocese of Galloway. This happened after the Good Shepherd Cathedral in Ayr closed. Bishop Cunningham, along with other priests and bishops from Scotland, dedicated the church.
Important Dates for St Margaret's
- 1822: The number of Catholic people in Ayrshire was growing. Visiting priests looked after them. Bishop Cameron sent Rev William Thomson to be the first local priest.
- 1826: Rev William Thomson asked for a new church. The foundation stone for St Margaret's was laid.
- 1827: The new St Margaret's church officially opened.
- 1895: A permanent school opened for the children of St Margaret's. It was in a new building next to the church.
- 1930: St Margaret's High School opened in Whitletts Road. All classes moved from the smaller school next to the church. The old school building became the church hall.
- 1978: The old house for the priest was taken down. This was because John Street was being changed and improved. A new house was built north of the church.
- 1986: The Old School Building was completely removed to make space for a new church hall.
- 1989: Provost McNeill opened the new Church Hall.
- 1999: Work began on the renovations of St Margaret's.
- 2000: St Margaret's reopened. Four parishioners, Pat Lynch, Mary Godfrey, Lee Galloway, and Ken Burrell, cut the ribbon.
- 2007: Pope Benedict XVI agreed to a request from Bishop John Cunningham. This moved the cathedral's main church to St Margaret's Church in Ayr.
History of Galloway Cathedrals
When the Roman Catholic Church was re-established in Scotland in 1878, the Diocese of Galloway covered several areas. These included South Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, and Wigtownshire. St Andrew's in Dumfries was chosen as the cathedral church.
In 1947, some changes were made to the church areas. Ten parishes in north Ayrshire were moved to the Diocese of Galloway. This meant Dumfries was no longer in the middle of the diocese's population. Because of this, Bishop Joseph McGee decided to move his home to Ayr. He wanted to be closer to the people he served.
After St Andrew's Cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1961, Bishop McGee asked Pope John XXIII (who is now Saint John XXIII) for permission. He wanted to make Good Shepherd church in Ayr his cathedral until a new one could be built. This permission was given in 1962. However, over the years, plans changed, and a new cathedral was never built.
The Good Shepherd building started having serious problems. There were constant water leaks. Even more serious was the big drop in the number of people attending the cathedral. By 2001, Bishop Maurice Taylor decided that Good Shepherd church was no longer suitable. He asked the Holy See (the Pope's office) for permission to move the cathedral to St Margaret's in Ayr. This was the main church in the area.
Since Bishop Taylor was about to retire, Rome decided to let his successor make the decision. Bishop John Cunningham came to the same conclusion as Bishop Taylor. He also asked Pope Benedict XVI to move the cathedral from Good Shepherd to St Margaret's. The Bishop received a positive answer. St Margaret's has been the cathedral since 2007.
Church Leaders
Parish Priests
- (1822–1857) Rev. William Thomson
- (1857–1868) Rev. John Gallagher
- (1868–1871) Rev. William Burke
- (1871–1890) Rev. Patrick McLaughlin
- (1891–1894) Rev. W J. O'Shaughnessy
- (1894–1914) Rev. Daniel Collins
- (1914–1932) Rev. John Woods
- (1932–1965) Rev. Joseph McHardy
- (1965–1977) Rev. Stephen Kennedy
- (1977–1996) Rev. Martin McCluskey
- (1997– 2007) Rev. Patrick Keegans
Bishops of Galloway
- (1878–1893) Bishop John McLachlan
- (1893–1914) Bishop William Turner
- (1914–1943) Bishop James William McCarthy
- (1943–1952) Bishop William Henry Mellon
- (1952–1981) Bishop Joseph McGee
- (1981–2004) Bishop Maurice Taylor
- (2007–2015) Bishop John Cunningham
- (2015– February 2022) Bishop William Nolan
- (February 2022 – December 2023) Vacant
- (December 2023 - ) Bishop Frank Dougan
Cathedral Administrators
- (2007 – September 2016) Rev. Patrick Keegans
- (October 2016 – present) Rev. David Borland
The nave is the main part of the church where people sit. The two windows behind the large gallery were a challenge for the designer, Susan Bradbury. The gallery blocks the middle part of the windows. So, the artist chose a repeating pattern. This way, your mind can easily imagine the hidden parts.
The patterns look like Celtic knots. They change from green to blue. This shows the connection between heaven and earth. It also represents God's endless love for everyone. The Celtic theme reminds us that the church members came from Ireland but are now settled in Scotland. Since Celtic knots have no beginning or end, they also stand for eternity.
For the main windows in the nave, there are two important Christian themes: "Divine Light" and "Water of Life." The stained glass was made in the year 2000. The artist focused on two verses from the Book of Revelation in the Bible. One verse talks about God's glory being the light of a city. The other talks about taking the "water of life freely."
These words were very important during the design process. But these themes can be understood in many ways. The "Divine Light" window shines with all the colours of the spectrum. It includes ideas like "Let there be Light" and "The Light of the World." It also reminds us that "A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower."
On the south side of the nave, the "Water of Life" window reminds us that Ayr has always depended on water. The River Ayr and the coast have been important for trade and fishing. Water has many spiritual meanings. The window brings to mind Bible verses like "He leadeth me beside still waters" and "whoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." The artist hopes people will connect their own ideas with the window's design.
The 'Water of Life' window is also a special memorial. It remembers all those who died in the Pan Am Flight 103 disaster. American families of those involved in the plane crash gave this window to the church. This was to thank the previous cathedral administrator, Patrick Canon Keegans. He had a close bond with these families because he was the parish priest in Lockerbie when the disaster happened.
Both the 'Divine Light' and 'Water of Life' windows sparkle with small pieces of lead crystal. In the light window, they represent light. In the water window, they look like bubbles as the River Ayr flows into the blue sea.
The window at the west side of the cathedral, above the gallery and facing John Street, was updated in 2016. The same artist, Susan Bradbury, designed it as the 2000 windows. It also uses modern and symbolic images to show a spiritual theme.
This window has three tall, narrow sections called lancets. Above them are five smaller decorative lights called tracery. The new design is inspired by the theme of praise, as described in Psalm 148 from the Bible. It is shown by a bright golden light. This window uses different types of glass. These include blown glass, etched glass, flash glass, spun rounders, and glass lenses.
The name of this window is "Gloria in Excelsis Deo… Glory to God in the Highest."
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Divine Light Window
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Water of Life Window
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Glory to God Window
The Sanctuary
The sanctuary is the area around the main altar. The windows here look very different from the modern, symbolic windows in the nave. These Victorian windows have strong colours typical of the Gothic Revival style. They also show pictures.
Sanctuary Windows
Behind the main altar are four original stained glass windows from 1827. These windows show, from left to right:
- The Virgin Mary
- Jesus, The Good Shepherd
- Saint Joseph
- Saint Margaret of Scotland
Altar Furnishings
The items around the altar were first designed in 2000. Some small changes were made in 2007 to show that the church had become a cathedral.
The bishop's special chair is called the cathedra. This is where the bishop sits during important church services. Michael Mancini designed and made it in 2007.
The cross in the sanctuary originally came from St Mary's Church in Saltcoats. It was given to the cathedral in the early 2010s. The cross that was used in the sanctuary from the 1970s to the 1990s can now be found in the confession room.
Sacred Heart Chapel
The new windows in both side chapels have stronger colours. This helps connect the modern designs with the older, original windows in the sanctuary and transepts.
To the left of the sanctuary is the Sacred Heart Chapel. In this chapel, you will find a modern stained glass window. It is ruby red and filled with hearts.
The new window in the Sacred Heart Chapel helps people think about the theme of Love.
The older, original window above the altar, where the Tabernacle is kept, shows Christ appearing as the Sacred Heart to St Margaret Mary Alacoque.
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Sacred Heart Window
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Sacred Heart Chapel
Our Lady Chapel
The modern window in the Lady Chapel has cooler colours. It helps people think about grief and consolation. It is inspired by the sadness of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This window has the letter M for Mary. It also shows a crown, representing Mary as Queen of Heaven, and tears of a sorrowing mother.
The original round window, called a rose window, above the altar shows the Annunciation. This is when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.
Both modern windows in the side chapels are made of flashed glass from France. Flashed glass has a thin layer of colour over a clear base. This thin layer can be etched away with acid. This reveals the clear glass underneath or creates different shades of colour. The clear shapes of the letters and hearts were made by using a plastic film to protect the glass from the acid. Other textures were made using a special tar-like substance.
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Our Lady Window
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Our Lady Chapel
Reconciliation Room
Under the gallery is the new Reconciliation Room. This used to be the old baptistry, where baptisms took place. In this room, there are two original stained glass windows. One shows the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. The other shows Jesus preaching in the Temple. You will also find the sanctuary cross that was used in St Margaret's between the 1970s and 1999 in this room.
In 2016, a special "Holy Door" for the Year of Mercy was opened between the Reconciliation Room and the church porch.
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross tell the story of Jesus' journey to his crucifixion. They use hands as the main symbol. You can see hands placing a crown of thorns, hands carrying the cross, and hands offering comfort. There are also hands showing pain and hands causing pain. The colours used in each Station are also symbolic.
Each time Jesus falls, brown is used for the earth. If you look closely at the hands, you will see that the pain gets worse with each fall.
A softer, warmer brown is used for the wood of the cross and for the strength of Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry the cross.
Blue shows grief in the saddest moments. This includes when Jesus reaches out to his Mother, when he meets the mourning women, and when he is taken down from the cross.
Red shows violence when Christ is stripped of his clothes and at the moment of his death. The strongest red shows the most violent act, when the nails pierce his flesh. At the moment Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn in half. This Station shows the emptiness and void of death after Jesus is gone.
Green is used for the kindness of Veronica, who wiped Jesus' face. It is also used for the living branches of thorns. In the final image, green is a symbol of hope beyond death.
Each Station is made of two sheets of glass in the same frame. One sheet is flashed glass, carefully etched to create a subtle colour change across it. The other sheet has the image printed onto it with an iron oxide pigment and then fired in a kiln. The space between the two sheets and the transparency of the glass create reflections. These reflections soften the image and give it a dreamy look.
Images for kids
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External view (with Cathedral Hall)
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Galloway Diocese in relation to Scotland
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Margarita (Ayr) para niños
