Cathedral of The Isles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of the Isles |
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Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae
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| Denomination | Scottish Episcopal Church |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | Cathedral of the Isles |
| History | |
| Dedication | The Holy Spirit |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Argyll & the Isles |
The Cathedral of the Isles is a very important church in Millport, a town on the Isle of Cumbrae. It is one of the two main cathedrals for the Scottish Episcopal Church in the area of Argyll and the Isles. The other cathedral is St John's Cathedral in Oban. Since 2024, the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, David Railton, has also been the Provost of this cathedral.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How the Cathedral Was Built
The Cathedral of the Isles was built thanks to George Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow. He was a generous supporter of the church and its college. He asked William Butterfield to design the building. Butterfield was a famous architect who designed many buildings in the Gothic Revival style. He also designed St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
Construction of the Cathedral of the Isles finished in 1849. It first opened in 1851 as a collegiate church. This means it was connected to a college. Later, in 1876, the chapel of the college became a cathedral.
Cool Features of the Cathedral
Size and Design
The Cathedral of the Isles is surrounded by beautiful gardens and woodlands. It is the tallest building on Great Cumbrae. It is also known as the smallest cathedral in the British Isles. The tower is very tall and stands out. It is about 123 feet (37 meters) high. This is three times taller than the main part of the church, which is about 40 feet (12 meters) long.
Ancient Crosses
In the entrance area, you can see a cool collection of Celtic crosses. These crosses were found on the island many years ago, during the Victorian era. They are very old and show the history of the island.
Stained Glass Windows
The cathedral has amazing stained glass windows. The large window at the west end was made by William Wailes. Other beautiful windows were created by a company called Hardman & Co..
The Organ
The church organ was built by Philip Wood from Huddersfield. It was moved to the cathedral in 2004. Before that, the cathedral had an organ made by John Compton. The current organist is Alastair Chisholm. He received a special award in 2016 for his contributions to music and culture.
The College of the Holy Spirit
A Place for Learning and Retreat
The theological college, which is part of the cathedral, started in 1851. It was a place where people studied religion for 34 years. Later, from 1919 to 1927, nuns from the Community of St Andrew of Scotland lived in the college buildings.
For ten years, starting in 1975, a group called the Community of Celebration Christian Trust used the college. Today, the college is a retreat house. It is called the College of the Holy Spirit. People can stay there for quiet reflection and spiritual retreats. It is open to the public.
Leaders of the Cathedral
The Provosts
The leader of the Cathedral of the Isles is called the Provost. Sometimes they are called Provosts of Cumbrae. For many years, the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles has also served as the Provost.
Here are some of the people who have been Provosts:
- Herbert Noyes (1875–1883)
- Alexander Chinnery-Haldane (1883–1891) – He was also the Bishop of Argyll & the Isles at the same time.
- Thomas Ball (1892–1916)
- Robert Taylor (1919–1926)
- Claude O'Flaherty (1926–1939)
- John Macarthur (1940–1949)
- George Douglas (1949–1973)
- Graham Pulkingham (1975–1980)
- Gregor MacGregor (1986–1987)
- Very Rev David McCubbin (1987 to 1994)
After 1994, the Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness held the office of Provost for a period. More recently, as mentioned earlier, the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles has taken on this role.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de las Islas para niños
