Cathedral of The Isles

The Cathedral of The Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is a Category A listed cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church[1] in the town of Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae. It is one of the two cathedrals of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles, the other being St John's Cathedral in Oban. Until 2020, the ordinary of the diocese was the Right Reverend Kevin Pearson; the see (and, therefore, the office of Provost) is vacant.[2]

Cathedral of the Isles
Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae
DenominationScottish Episcopal Church
ChurchmanshipBroad Church
WebsiteCathedral of the Isles
History
DedicationThe Holy Spirit
Administration
DioceseArgyll & the Isles
Clergy
ProvostThe Bishop
Laity
Director of musicMr Alastair Chisholm

History

George Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow, was benefactor of the cathedral and the associated theological college and commissioned William Butterfield to design the building. Butterfield was one of the great architects of the Gothic revival and also designed St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth. Construction finished in 1849 and the cathedral opened in 1851 as a collegiate church. The Chapel of the College of the Holy Spirit was raised to the status of a cathedral in 1876.[3]

Features

Formal gardens and woodland surround the cathedral, the tallest building on Great Cumbrae and the smallest cathedral in the British Isles. The tower dominates the buildings: at 123ft, the tower and spire are three times the length of the 40ft nave.[4]

Celtic Crosses at the Cathedral of the Isles.

In the entrance porch is an interesting collection of Celtic crosses, all of which were excavated on the island in Victorian times.

The stained glass is by William Wailes (west window) and Hardman & Co..[5]

The organ is by Philip Wood of Huddersfield. It was installed in 2004, having been relocated from Logie Pert Parish Church, and replacing an organ by John Compton.[6]

The organist is Alastair Chisholm, who was awarded a BEM in 2016 for services to music and culture.[7]

Theological College

The theological college existed from 1851, for 34 years.[8] From 1919 to 1927 the college buildings housed nuns from the Community of St Andrew of Scotland (CSAS).[9]

For ten years from 1975 it hosted a community, the Community of Celebration Christian Trust.[10]

The college is now a retreat house, the College of the Holy Spirit, and is open to the public to stay.[11] [12]

Provosts

The Provosts are sometimes referred to as Provosts of the Cathedral of the Isles, and sometimes as Provosts of Cumbrae. Since Provost MacGregor, the Provost has been the Diocesan Bishop for the time being. (There is also an office of Dean of the United Diocese, which is separately held.) Incomplete list:

After Fr Douglas, the office of Provost was held by the Bishop.[15]

Thereafter the office of Provost has been held by the Bishop.

References
  1. "Genuki: The Cathedral of the Isles". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  2. "Scottish Episcopal Church: The Diocese of Argyll & The Isles" (PDF). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  3. "Scottish Episcopal Church: The Diocese of Argyll & The Isles" (PDF). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  4. "Scotland's Churches Trust: Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  5. "Scotland's Churches Trust: Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  6. "National Pipe Organ Register Entry No E00916". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  7. "Church Times 17 June 2016, "Church Educators Score Well on Birthday Honours"". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  8. "Scottish Episcopal Church: The Diocese of Argyll & The Isles" (PDF). Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  9. "MS 54 College and Collegiate Church of The Holy Spirit, Isle Of Cumbrae". Archive Services Online Catalogue. University of Dundee. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  10. "CCCT: Isle of Cumbrae". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  11. "Church Times 30 January 2015, "Travel and Retreats across the Water"". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  12. "Island Retreats: Cumbrae". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  13. "Find a Grave: Thomas Isaac Ball". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  14. "Find a Grave: George James Cosmo Douglas". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  15. Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1973-74, 85th edition, p 1329.
  16. "CCCT: Isle of Cumbrae". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  17. "Episcopal Church (of the USA): William Graham Pulkingham". Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  18. "Daily Telegraph obituary, 13 August 2003". Retrieved 19 December 2020.

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