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St Columba's Cathedral
St Columba's Cathedral
View of a large stone church with a tall tower, seen from across the water.
View across seafront
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Location Oban, Argyll and Bute
Country Scotland
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website www.rcdai.org.uk
Architecture
Architect(s) Giles Gilbert Scott
Style Gothic Revival
Administration
Diocese Argyll and the Isles
Province St Andrews and Edinburgh

St Columba's Cathedral is a very important church in Oban, Scotland. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Bishop of Argyll and the Isles. This means it's where the bishop has his special chair, and it's like the "mother church" for all the other Catholic churches in the area. You can find this beautiful cathedral right by the sea, at the north end of Oban.

Building St Columba's Cathedral

Who Designed the Cathedral?

The famous architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed St Columba's Cathedral. He was known for creating buildings in the Gothic Revival style. This style looks back to the grand churches of the Middle Ages.

When Was the Cathedral Built?

Work on the cathedral began in 1932 when the first stone was laid. It took many years to build, finally being finished in 1952. The project received money from people in the USA, Canada, and Ireland to help pay for its construction.

What Materials Were Used?

The cathedral is built from two types of strong stone called granite. It uses pink granite from Peterhead and blue granite from Inverawe. These different colors of stone make the building look unique and interesting.

What Does "Category A Listed Building" Mean?

St Columba's Cathedral is a Category A listed building. This is a special title given to buildings that are very important to Scotland's history and architecture. It means the building is protected and must be kept in good condition for future generations.

History of Cathedrals in Argyll

Where Was the Old Cathedral?

Long ago, in the Middle Ages, the main church for the Argyll area was not in Oban. It was located on an island called Lismore, which is north of Oban.

What Happened to the Old Cathedral?

That old cathedral on Lismore was named after St Moluag. Today, Lismore Cathedral is no longer a Catholic church. It is now a Church of Scotland church, which is a different Christian group.

More Information

  • List of Category A listed buildings in Argyll and Bute
  • List of post-war Category A listed buildings in Scotland
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