1909: The Golden Jubilee begins

These images show the Cathedral as it appeared in 1909, following the alterations made for the Golden Jubilee. It was on this day, 30th September, that the Golden Jubilee celebrations began. The great changes that were made, along with the celebration itself, were overseen by our own Canon Billington, who was rector at the time. His book devotes a whole chapter to the event; here are a couple of extracts: "To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the consecration of the church, considerable alterations were made, all tending to the greater beauty of the building and the convenience of the congregation... they may be summarised here as the provision of a new high altar with fine reredos and triptych; new flooring for the chancel, aisles, chantries, and passages of the nave and aisles; new benches all through the church, new doors, and a screen for the west door, the recolouring of the walls, the decoration of St. Charles's altar, and minor changes. During the alterations, which occupied many months, the services of the church had to be somewhat curtailed, and were conducted at much inconvenience to the clergy and the people, but the result has caused all that to be forgotten."

Here is the new high altar referred to. It was consecrated on 1st October, but the ceremonies for the jubilee began the previous evening: "The celebration began on Thursday evening, September 30, with the veneration of the relics of SS. Urban and Valerian, which were to be deposited in the new altar. The relics, enclosed in a suitable casket, were placed on the altar in the baptistery, and the night office of 'many martyrs' was recited there. Those present were the Bishop of Liverpool [Thomas Whiteside], Canon Billington and the other clergy of St. Peter's, Mgr. Gillow of Kirkham, Dean Crookall of Douglas, Isle of Man, and the Rev. R. J. Langtree of Grange."

1850: The Hierarchy Restored

On this day in 150 Pope Pius IX restored the Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales. At the Reformation the English bishops had broken links with Rome, and after that time the life of English Catholics was overseen directly from the Vatican. Before the restoration of the hierarchy there were bishops in England, but no dioceses; the bishops were known as 'Vicars Apostolic' - meaning that they deputised for the Pope and exercised his authority here. 159 years ago today that changed; dioceses were founded, with a Metropolitan See at Westminster - its first Archbishop, Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman, is pictured here. Lancaster at that time became part of the Diocese of Liverpool, in which it remained until 1924.

Cathedral Life in 1963

This impressive scene shows part of the Second Vatican Council, which took place 1962-1965. The Council resulted in sweeping changes to Catholic life, particularly to the liturgical expression of our faith. Back in September 1963 prayers were being asked for the Council as its second session began, as the notice book entry for 29th September reveals. The following extracts also show other aspects of parish life - the approach of the annual dedication feast, and the collection for the Bishop Flynn memorial (the Social Centre) are perhaps worthy of special mention. Here are some of the notice booke entries for that day:

· Next Sunday we keep the feast of the anniversary of the church; sermons preached by Canon Kershaw. This is our big day of the year for upkeep of the Cathedral – the second collection next Sunday, but we appeal to your generosity for the support of the church
· Special Collection today for Bishop Flynn memorial
· Fr Lockwood wishes to thank you for prayers and donations on the occasion of his silver jubilee
· We remind you of the Nazareth House bring and buy sale next Saturday, at Nazareth House, 2:30pm. Your support is requested on this annual occasion
· The second session of the Vatican Council opens today. The Holy Father asks prayers for its success.
· We begin October devotions on Tuesday. There will the devotions every night before the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30pm.

1939: The Little Flower

At the time of writing in 2009 the Cathedral is preparing to welcome the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the saint who has become known as 'the Little Flower'. Seventy years earlier Fr Vernon Johnson was at the Cathedral delivering a course of sermons on St Thérèse, as the flyer shows and as the notice book for 24th September 1939 confirms. Even the best laid plans sometimes go wrong, however, and the notice book reveals that the time of the sermons had to be altered. The flyer here shows that the plan was to have Benediction and sermon on weekdays at 7:30pm; the notice book advertises the event at 6:45pm. The reason? The outbreak of war meant night-time blackouts, so all public gatherings had to take place before dark. The notice book also shows that other activities were affected: "Owing to the war and difficulties of blackout, we think it better in the interests of your own safety not to have any social activities at present. So the Christmas draw and reunion will be suspended this year." Despite the disruption, it seems that Fr Vernon was able to deliver all his sermons; he also preached on 8th October at Mass and Benediction, for the 80th celebration of the dedication of the church.

1888: Richard Leeming

The more observant visitors to the Cathedral may have spotted this - it is the crest of the Leeming family, and can be found on the organ loft, just above the central aisle. Both the organ and the gallery were donated by Richard Leeming of Greaves House, who died on this day in 1888, just a few months before the organ was opened.

The Saint Peter Windows

This window is the second in a series of four which run along the north aisle and depict the life of St Peter. It was given by Margaret Coulston, in memory of her sister Elizabeth, who died on this day in 1893. The other three windows are also given in memory of the dead, though no inscription is found in the church itself. The first window was given by Mr Robert Preston in memory of Dean Brown, the third formed part of the memorial to Provost Walker, and the final window was given by members of the Leeming family in memory of Richard Leeming and his wife.

The Centenary III

Although it didn't result in the large-scale alterations that marked the Golden Jubilee in 1909, the centenary did provide an opportunity for some repairs and physical changes to the building. A fund was established, and the £4500 raised was used for a number of changes: wooden panelling was added to the Lady Chapel (above) and new statues were put in the Cathedral.

Four new reliquaries (pictured) were bought for the high altar, along with a new thurible. Other furnishings and fittings inside the church were restored or replaced to mark the anniversary.

The Centenary II

Today's post on the Centenary of the Cathedral features some of the official photographs which have survived in our archive. Here some of the significant figures of the time are pictured on the Cathedral lawn. The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Cecilia Pickard, is seen with her mayoral chain; to the left of her we see Bishop Flynn, and further left is Monsignor Oswald Brimley. To the right of the Mayor, Archbishop Heenan of Liverpool is seated.

Here the Bishop and Archbishop are pictured amidst a great crowd of local clergy. Some of the priests pictured are still working in the Diocese today.

A smaller group - perhaps local priests - are seen here with Monsignor Brimley. We know the names of some of those pictured, but would be grateful for any further information. Click on each picture for a slightly larger version, and if you can shed any light on those pictured, please contact us.

The Centenary I

Today we begin a series of three posts on the centenary of St Peter's church, which was celebrated in 1959. Clearly these celebrations took place in October, but we feature them a little early to allow space for posts on the consecration of the church and its 1995 rededication when the October 4th anniversary comes round. This first post features the liturgical celebrations.

Bishop Flynn, Lancaster's second ordinary, celebrated Pontifical High Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday 4th October 1959, one hundred years to the day since the church had been consecrated. Here he is seen making his way towards the west doors, assisted by two priests acting as deacons. These vestments were bought to mark the centenary, and are still in use in the Cathedral today.

The sermon at Mass was delivered by Archbishop John Heenan of Liverpool, who is seen here about to enter the Cathedral. He is assisted by two members of the Cathedral Chapter and is seen wearing his cappa magna.

Here the Archbishop (who later, having been transferred to Westminster in 1963, became Cardinal in 1965) makes his way across the lawn at the front of Cathedral House. Clearly the celebrations were considered to be a success; the notice book entry for the following Sunday, 11th October 1959, records, "The Archbishop and the Bishop were delighted with the day's proceedings and were pleased to see so many of you at the services. May God bless you all."

1604: Venerable Lawrence Bailey

This final picture of the martyrs' plaque, taken on their feast day (7th August) 2009, is given to mark the death of Venerable Lawrence Bailey. Although the plaque records his date of death as unknown, Canon Billington's very brief account gives today's date as the anniversary of his execution. Here are our historian's words in full: "In the same year [1604], on 16th September, Lawrence Baily, a yeoman who had assisted a priest to escape from the pursuivants, was hanged at Lancaster as a felon on that account." Lawrence Bailey (or Baily) is the only one of the fifteen recognised martyrs who has not been beatified; he is also the one about whom we know the least.

1901: Cardinal Vaughan at the Baptistery

In August 1901 the new baptistery - which had cost £4000 to build - had been opened and the altar consecrated. It was on this day in that same year that the first sermon was preached there by a very distinguished visitor, as Canon Billington explains: "The late Cardinal Vaughan visited the church soon after this baptistery was completed, and was so pleased with its beauty that he preached a sermon which he wished to be considered the 'opening sermon', thus connecting himself with the new building. This was on September 15, 1901; it was the only visit he paid to St. Peter's after he had neem created cardinal, though he had frequently been in earlier times."

1859: The Cathedral Spire

The Cathedral's beautiful 240ft spire is 150 years old today. In some ways it's an unlikely anniversary, given that at one stage the building of the spire was in doubt. Canon Billington tells the story: "Dean Brown had resolved not to open the church in debt, but his funds came to an end before the spire was erected, and it looked as if the church would have to be left unfinished for a time. It was known that Mr. William Marsland intended to leave money for the spire, and in order that there might be no delay it was arranegd that he should have an annuity of £50 during his life and give the capital sum at once. Thus the whole was completed without a stoppage, and the cross was fixed in position on the spire on September 14, Holy Cross Day, only three weeks before the consecration."

Later the Canon gives some details of the cross itself: "The spire is surmounted by a copper cross, 9 feet 10 inches high and 4 feet across." It was regilt in 1900, when some of the stonework around it had to be replaced, as this earlier post reveals. Meanwhile, the donor of the spire, Mr William Marsland, received his annual £50 payment several times, and had the pleasure of seeing his spire built, before his death on 23rd May 1863.

1641: St Ambrose Barlow

The Benedictine priest Ambrose Barlow, one of two canonized Lancaster Martyrs, died on this day in 1641. Canon Billington tells us that he is "venerated for his saintly life and apostolic labours as well as for his glorious death." He was born at Barlow near Manchester in 1585. He converted to Catholicism in 1607 and went to Douai and Valladolid to train for the priesthood; he joined the Benedictines in 1616, and soon after came to England. Canon Billington tells us a little about Barlow's encounters with another Lancaster saint: "He was several times imprisoned for religion. On one such occasion he had ministered to Father Arrowsmith, and it is related that this martyr, on the day he suffered, appeared to Barlow, then in South Lancashire, and gave the warning or prophecy: 'I have already suffered. You also shall suffer; speak but little, for they will be upon the watch to catch you in your words.' " After celebrating Mass on Easter Sunday in 1641 he addressed a congregation of about 100 Catholics; during his address the house was attacked by Protestants led by thier minister. Barlow was captured and sent to Lancaster. Sentenced to death, he replied with the words, "Thanks be to God", and prayed for forgiveness for his persecutors. He walked three times around the gallows while reciting the penitent psalm Miserere (psalm 50/51). A skull preserved at Wardley Hall, Worsley (now the residence of the Bishop of Salford) is said to be his.

The Reordering II

While much work was going on at ground level, those with a head for heights were busy working in the upper part of the Cathedral. Fortunately some photographs were taken, and this top image in particular provides a wonderful view of the organ loft and Te Deum window, seen from above. This picture appears to have been taken from a height of about 50 feet.

At a slightly lower level, but still requiring scaffolding, here we see work taking place in the Lady Chapel. Clearly much of the stencilling and decorating work has already been completed.

This job was certainly not for the faint-hearted. The painter at work here is right at the top of the Cathedral, some 70 feet above the floor. The fine ceiling decoration which we enjoy today is thanks to his and his colleagues' efforts.

The Reordering I

Up and away - the 1909 altar is about to be moved from its 1970s position. Today and tomorrow we feature a few pictures of work taking place for the 1995 reordering of the Cathedral. The altar seen here is about to be moved back to something like its original position; the triptych would later be reinstated above it.

After yesterday's post about the marble steps, here we see them going back into their original pattern. The wood and carpet which had so long obscured them is already gone, though to this day the carpet can still be seen in the ground floor of Cathedral House.

At the crossing of the transept, a new sanctuary is being constructed. This required the removal of a number of rows of benches, but had the great advantage of allowing a larger sanctuary which appears more central in the layout of the church.

Now we know what's beneath the tiled flooring.

Screened off from the nave, work on the new sanctuary continues here. The memorial to Dean Brown, who founded the church, can be seen on the pillar at the right of the picture. Francis Roberts, the architect who masterminded the scheme, is also seen here, on the far right.

Finally, a picture of the new altar during its assembly. The new cathedra (bishop's throne) can also be seen behind. Tomorrow we feature a couple of images of high-level work taking place.

The Marble Steps

At the foot of the 1909 altar there are black and white marble steps, which were placed there at the golden jubilee as part of the altar and triptych design. The chequered pattern is clearly visible in this photograph.

Now spot the difference! It seems that the layout was changed, to consist of black and white stripes, after the church was raised to cathedral status in 1924. Thus it remained until it was carpeted over in the 1970s; finally, in the 1995 reordering, the steps were returned to their original layout.

At the very top left hand corner of the 1909 triptych is an image of Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus, with an altar-like structure behind her and cherubs in attendance. Look at the floor: it seems likely that this small detail of the triptych was intended to tie in with the new chequered floor below.

1939: War is Declared

On this day in 1939, just a few weeks into the episcopacy of Bishop Flynn (pictured), Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. In Lancaster, Mass had begun at 10:30am and was continuing as Mr Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, broadcast to the nation at 11am. Towards the end of Mass Monsignor R. L. Smith entered the sanctuary and directed the celebrant to make the addition to the Prayer for the King in time of war; he then went to the pulpit and announced to the congregation that a state of war existed between Britain and Germany. It was a particularly harrowing announcement for the Sisters of St Catherine, who had come from Germany less than 18 months earlier.

Bishop Flynn, who in appearance at least may be described as the 'Churchill of the north', demonstrated characteristically strong leadership in this time of crisis. His message for the outbreak of war was issued, with a decree that it be read at all Masses in the Diocese. Here are his words in full: "We have the fullest confidence in the power of prayer to avert from us the worst terrors of war. But whatever evil may befall, we must conduct ourselves with Christian fortitude, and be on our guard against any panic, for panic would probably cause far greater loss of life and injury generally than any bombs. Although much of our diocese is a receiving area, and no part of it is an evacuation area, we know that there is always the possibility of an air raid. To-morrow all our people will be praying before the Blessed Sacrament exposed for a speedy termination of the great evil which is now hanging over the world, for the safety of the country, and for the preservation of themselves and of all those dear to them. The advice of the A.R.P. authorities should be carefully followed. If warning of an air raid is received, those in the streets should at once seek shelter; crowding should be avoided and all discipline should be observed. Our faith in God is a source of strength in a time of trial. Those who live by it will enjoy a confidence which is the best guarantee against panic.”

The Hueber Chalice

This chalice, which is dated 1708, once belonged to a Fr Christopher Hueber. An inscription on its base suggests that it came to St Peter's on 3rd September 1876, presumably upon the priest's death. It is still sometimes used at Mass.

1974: Diocesan Jubilee

Preston's Guild Hall was chosen as the venue for celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Lancaster Diocese in 1974, as the notice book entry for 1st September that year records: "Celebrations for Golden Jubilee of the Diocese – Mass in Guild Hall, Preston – Sunday 29th September at 3.00pm. Entrance by ticket only – we are allowed 33 places – so [there is a] list for names for tickets and tea, which will be provided at 75p each. First come first served – so please put names on the list by next Sunday at the latest."