St Peter's Cathedral - Lancaster

St Peter’s Cathedral was designed by the architect Edward Paley (later of Paley and Austin) and built between 1857 and 1859. This church superseded a Catholic Chapel contained within a late eighteenth-century terrace in Lancaster’s Dalton Square and was no doubt designed to showcase the relatively new rise in social standing of the local Catholic community. St Peter’s Church was raised to Cathedral status in 1924, and it remains the seat of a large Diocese stretching from the Ribble Valley to Carlisle. After impressive additions in the years running up to its Golden Jubilee in 1909 (including the Paley and Austin Baptistry and the carved and painted triptych designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott), the Cathedral’s impressive Neo-Gothic architecture and stunning interior sadly fell into some disrepair. In the past fifteen years, as a result of sustained parish-based fund-raising, considerable expenditure has been incurred in restoring this wonderful building to its former glory. In 1995 the east end of the Cathedral was restored and reordered in keeping with its original style by the architectural firm of Francis Roberts; this work resulted in a ‘Regional Architecture Award’ from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1996.

Lancaster Cathedral has a seating capacity of about 650. Over the past few years Mass numbers have been climbing and at present we expect between 430 and 450 parishioners and visitors each weekend. The Cathedral is used regularly for Diocesan functions, such as youth Masses, Installations and Ordinations and services for outside groups such as CAFOD, Churches Together and Catholic Caring Services.

Over the past few years much time and effort have been spent developing a range of programmes and activities based around the Cathedral and the Catholic faith which volunteers from the Cathedral Parish now offer to students and outside groups of all ages. We regularly welcome schoolchildren from all educational key-stages, as well as undergraduates from Lancaster University, St Martin’s College and the local further education facilities in and around Lancaster.

Lancaster Cathedral is a popular local venue for concerts and other cultural events. A variety of musical and arts groups perform in the Cathedral during our Autumn, Spring and Summer concert seasons.

Lancaster Cathedral is always available as a quiet place for anyone who may need to pray, to think or to come in from the cold. The Cathedral is open from 8:30 am to nightfall every day of the year. There is no admission charge and every attempt is made to welcome all visitors.