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 special church building in Millport, a small town on the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland. It belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church. A cathedral is usually the main church for a bishop, and this one is one of two cathedrals in its area, called the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. The other cathedral is St John's Cathedral in Oban. Since 2021, the main leader of the cathedral has been Keith Riglin, who is also the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How the Cathedral Was Built
The idea for the Cathedral of the Isles came from George Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow. He helped pay for the cathedral and a special college linked to it. He asked William Butterfield to design the building. Butterfield was a famous architect who designed buildings in the Gothic revival style. This style brought back ideas from medieval Gothic churches. He also designed St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth.
The building was finished in 1849. It first opened in 1851 as a "collegiate church," which means it was part of a college. Later, in 1876, the chapel of this college became a full cathedral.
What Makes the Cathedral Special?
Its Unique Size and Location
The Cathedral of the Isles is surrounded by beautiful gardens and woodlands. It is the tallest building on Great Cumbrae island. It is also known for being the smallest cathedral in the British Isles.
The tower of the cathedral is very tall and stands out. It is about 123 feet (37 meters) high. The tower and its pointy top, called a spire, are three times longer than the main part of the church, which is called the nave. The nave is about 40 feet (12 meters) long.
Inside the Cathedral
When you enter the cathedral, you can see a cool collection of Celtic crosses. These crosses were found on the island a long time ago, during the Victorian era.
The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. Some of these were made by an artist named William Wailes. Others were created by a company called Hardman & Co..
The organ inside the cathedral was made by Philip Wood of Huddersfield. It was put in place in 2004. Before that, there was an older organ made by John Compton. The current organist, who plays the organ, is Alastair Chisholm. He received a special award called a BEM in 2016 for his work in music and culture.
The College of the Holy Spirit
A Place for Learning and Retreat
The building next to the cathedral used to be a theological college. This college was open for 34 years, starting in 1851. It was a place where people studied religion.
Later, from 1919 to 1927, nuns from a group called the Community of St Andrew of Scotland lived in the college buildings. For ten years, starting in 1975, another group called the Community of Celebration Christian Trust used the college.
Today, the college building is a "retreat house." It is called the College of the Holy Spirit. People can stay there for quiet reflection or special events. It is open to the public.
Images for kids
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Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de las Islas para niños
