Nottingham Cathedral Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Nottingham Cathedral
Saint Barnabas' Cathedral, Nottingham

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Location	Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	stbarnabascathedral.org.uk
Architecture
Architect(s)	Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Years built	1841–1844
Specifications
Height	150 feet (46 m)
Number of spires	1
Administration
Diocese	Nottingham (since 1850)
Province	Westminster

The Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas is a very important cathedral for the Roman Catholic Church in the city of Nottingham, England. It is the main church for the Diocese of Nottingham and where the Bishop of Nottingham has his official seat. This beautiful building is listed as a Grade II* heritage site.

Where to Find Nottingham Cathedral
History of St. Barnabas Cathedral
Cathedral Music
- Directors of Music
- Assistant Directors of Music / Organists
Images for kids
See also

Where to Find Nottingham Cathedral

The cathedral is located in Nottingham city centre. You can find it at the corner of Derby Road and North Circus Street. Right across the street are the Albert Hall and the Nottingham Playhouse. This makes it easy to spot among other important buildings.

History of St. Barnabas Cathedral

The cathedral was built between 1841 and 1844. It cost about £15,000 back then, which was a huge amount of money. A rich Catholic, Lord Shrewsbury, paid for a lot of it. The church was officially opened and blessed in 1844. This happened fifteen years after a law called the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 was passed. This law removed many rules that limited Catholics in the United Kingdom.

Who Designed the Cathedral?

The famous architect who designed the cathedral was Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. He also designed parts of the inside of the Houses of Parliament in London. St. Barnabas Cathedral was built in a style called Early English Plain Gothic. However, one part, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, was very richly decorated. Pugin's later churches were often decorated like this throughout.

When it was finished, St. Barnabas Cathedral was the biggest Catholic church built in England since the English Reformation. The Reformation was a time when the church in England changed a lot.

Becoming a Cathedral

In 1850, Pope Pius IX created a new Catholic leadership structure in England and Wales. Because of this, St. Barnabas Church became a cathedral in 1852. It was one of the first four Catholic cathedrals in England and Wales since the Reformation. Today, it is still the official seat of the Bishop of Nottingham.

Changes Over Time

The cathedral is a Grade II* listed building. This means it is very important historically. Over the years, some of Pugin's original decorations were changed. This happened especially around the time of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. For example, the old main altar was removed, and much of the painted decoration was covered up.

However, a small part of Pugin's original design can still be seen in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. This part is a real highlight of the cathedral's inside. In 1993, a new main altar was put in. It was designed to look more like Pugin's original style. Some of Pugin's decorations, like the round patterns in the main part of the church, have been uncovered and fixed.

Important People and Future Plans

Another important part of the cathedral is the tomb of Venerable Mary Potter. She was a nun who started a group called the Little Company of Mary in Nottingham. Her tomb was designed by Smith & Roper.

In September 2022, the cathedral announced an exciting project. They plan to restore some of Pugin's original designs. This includes uncovering the original decorations in the Lady Chapel, which are currently covered by whitewash. This project is a team effort between Nottingham Cathedral, Nottingham Trent University, and Culture Syndicates. It is supported by money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The priests who work at the cathedral also serve the church of St. Augustine on Woodborough Road.

Cathedral Music

The cathedral has a strong tradition of music. They offer special scholarships for singers. These "choral scholarships" are for students aged 18 or older. They must be studying full-time at a university or college in the Nottingham area. These scholarships help students develop their singing skills while contributing to the cathedral's services.