Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr facts for kids

Former Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Ayr. It was designed by John Frederick Torry and William Cowie.

The Good Shepherd Cathedral was an important church in Ayr, Scotland. It used to be the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway. A diocese is like a special area that a bishop looks after.

History of the Cathedral

The Church of the Good Shepherd first opened in 1957. It was built to serve people living in the Whitletts, Dalmilling, Lochside, and Braehead areas of Ayr. Before this church was built, people in these areas went to St. Margaret's Church in Ayr. They also held Sunday Mass in the Whitletts Community Centre. The church was designed by architects John Frederick Torry and William Cowie.

Becoming a Cathedral

For four years, the Good Shepherd was a regular parish church. This means it served a local community. But in 1961, it became a cathedral. This happened after a fire destroyed St. Andrew's Cathedral in Dumfries. A cathedral is the main church for a bishop.

Bishops of the Cathedral

Only three bishops served at the Good Shepherd Cathedral:

• Bishop Joseph McGee (from 1961 to 1981)
• Bishop Maurice Taylor (from 1981 to 2004)
• Bishop John Cunningham (from 2004 to 2014)

Bishop Cunningham was the first bishop to have his ordination ceremony in the cathedral. This special event took place on May 28, 2004.

The Cathedral Closes

The last Mass was held at the Good Shepherd Cathedral on May 20, 2007. The church closed because fewer people were attending services. The main church for the Galloway Diocese is now St Margaret's Cathedral in Ayr.

New Life for the Building

In 2010, work began to change the old cathedral building. It was turned into 25 affordable homes. The building is a Category C listed building, which means it's protected for its historical importance. The church's tower and front wall were kept as part of the new design. The building work finished in 2012, and people started moving into the new homes in April of that year.