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."

1964: Our Lady's High School

45 years ago today the new Catholic High School for Lancaster was blessed and opened. Although it is outside of the Cathedral parish (it falls within the boundaries of St Joseph's, Skerton) it has many connections with St Peter's: many children from this parish have attended the school, it replaced some of the earlier school provision on the Cathedral site and Monsignor Brimley, at that time Administrator of the Cathedral, was influential in its establishment.

The new school, dedicated to Our Lady, clearly attracted a large number of clergy at its opening. A fair number of people can also be seen inside the new building.

Our Lady's was blessed by the Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain, Archbishop Igino Cardinale. He later went on to be Papal Nuncio to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. Sadly - given his name - he was never made a cardinal; he died in 1983.

Here Archbishop Cardinale is seen with the Bishop of Lancaster, Rt Rev. Brian Foley. It is a sign of the significance of this event that the Apostolic Delegate agreed to come for the blessing.

Clearly members of the Cathedral Chapter were present, and here the Archbishop is assisted by two canons. The cope he is wearing belongs to the Cathedral; it is part of a set of vestments purchased for the centenary of the church in 1959.

To this day a plaque in the school (which is now known as Our Lady's Catholic College) marks the event. Our thanks are due to Mr J. Burscough for assisting us with this post.

1628: Blessed Richard Hurst

The day after Edmund Arrowsmith's martyrdom another Lancaster martyr went to his death. Richard Hurst (or Hayhurst) was a farmer from Preston. His story is a little unusual, as Canon Billington relates: "Hurst's arrest had been ordered as a convicted recusant, and one of the pursuivants in attempting it received a blow on the head, and also broke his leg; he died, and Hurst was charged with murder, conticted contrary to justice, and executed. His real offence was his religion, and his life was promised him if he would take the oath." On the way to his execution he was met by Mr King, the vicar of Lancaster, and was asked about his faith. He replied, "I believe according to the faith of the holy Catholic Church." Canon Billington gives us the following details of his death: "He kissed the gallows on reaching the place of execution, and disregarding the ministers present, recommended himself to God, and begged the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, his angel guardian, and all the saints, especially St. John the Baptist, it being the day of his decollation. Ascending the ladder, he repeated the names of Jesus and Mary, and so was put to death."

1628: St Edmund Arrowsmith

Edmund Arrowsmith, a Jesuit priest and one of two Lancaster Martyrs to have been canonized, was executed in the city on this day in 1628. He was born at Haydock in 1585 to parents who had also suffered for their faith; his father had been imprisoned at Lancaster for a time. Educated at Douai, he came back to England in 1613 and joined the Jesuits in 1624. Canon Billington quotes a contemporary of Arrowsmith who said of the priest, "though his presence was very mean, yet he was both zealous, witty and fervent, and so forward (in disputing with heretics) that I often wished him merrily to carry salt in his pocket to season his actions, lest too much zeal without discretion might bring him too soon in danger, considering the vehement sudden storms of persecution that often assailed us." Arrested and then released in about 1620, he was captured again in 1628 after being betrayed by a Catholic who had a grievance against him "on account of a marriage dispensation." Billington also quotes William Leigh, whom he describes as "the famous Puritan rector of Standish", as saying that if not stopped Arrowsmith "would make half of Lancashire papists." Having been condemned, the Jesuit was taken from Lancaster Castle on 28th August 1628; St John Southworth, who at that time was imprisoned in Lancaster, gave him absolution as he crossed the castle yard. Southworth was later executed at Tyburn, close to present-day Marble Arch, London. Billington tells us that at 12noon, the time fixed for Arrowsmith's death, "Lancaster was emptied, all crowding the place of execution, Protestants hoping to see him waver, and Catholics confident in his virtue and constancy." As he mounted the scaffold he asked for the prayers of Catholics present, and his final words were "Bone Jesu" - "Good Jesus". His body was quartered and displayed at Lancaster Castle as a warning to others, but a hand was retrieved and is to this day preserved at St Oswald's church, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

1850: the Cemetery

On this day in 1850 Bishop George Brown of Liverpool blessed the new St Peter's cemetery. As yet there was no school, convent or church on the site. Canon Billington gives a few short paragraphs on the cemetery, noting that the site was improved by the government inspector and laid out according to his instructions; he also notes that four Masses are to be said each year for those buried in the cemetery. The central cross is not the original, he tells us: "A cross, designed by Mr. Paley, was erected in the centre of the ground in 1851. After it was blown down by a storm in 1896 it was replaced by a new one in 1899, the gift of Mr. Richard Smith." Billington notes that by 1886 nearly all the burial plots were sold and most Catholics were after that time buried in the public cemetery, a portion of which was reserved for Catholics and blessed by the Bishop around November 1855.

1928: Organ and Choir

This handbill gives the progreamme for a concert of organ and choral music led by Dr J. H. Reginald Dixon and featuring the Cathedral Choir. The concert, which appears to have been held to welcome visiting organists, took place on this day in 1928.

1901: the baptistery altar

The baptistery altar was consecrated on this day in 1901, as Canon Billington records: "The baptistery was designed by Messrs. Austin and Paley. It is octagonal in form, with groined roof of flecked Runcorn stone, and is lighted by four two-light windows. On the east side there is an altar, containing relics of SS. Innocent and Justus, martyrs. It was consecrated on August 27, 1901, and is used on Maundy Thursday as the altar of repose; mass is sometimes said there on the festival of the saints. The front of the altar has a panel showing the baptism of our Lord. The arcaded reredos contains statues of four saints: Thomas of Canterbury, Chad, William of York, and Richard of Chichester. The altar was carved by Boulton of Cheltenham."

1901: The Whiteside Altar reconsecrated

On this day in 1901 the altar in the Whiteside Chantry (pictured) was reconsecrated. This is somewhat unusual, and the circumstances surrounding it are not entirely clear. Here is Canon Billington's account of the altar's history: "The altar was first consecrated on October 5, 1859, by Dr. Turner, Bishop of Salford. The front has two panels, each containing the figure of an adoring angel. The reredos has a carving of the Agony in the Garden, by Lane of Birmingham. The dedication is to the Agony of our Lord and the Apostles John and James the Great. On August 26, 1901, the altar was reconsecrated, the lid of the sepulchre containing the relics having been broken and the relics damaged; other relics had to be substituted, viz. some of SS. Felix and Placida, martyrs." It remains a mystery as to how the relics could have been damaged.

Canon Billington gives little other detail about the Whiteside chantry, other than reproducing the text of the Whiteside memorial on the far wall and commenting that the railings are more elaborate than those in the neighbouring Coulston chantry. A final remark notes that the chantries cost between £500 and £560 each.

1939: the threat of war

The threat of war was looming large over Lancaster, as much of Europe, at this time back in 1939, as a notice book extract for 24th August that year reveals: "Now that the world is threatened with destruction, it is absolutely necessary that we should follow the advice of our Holy Father and turn to God in continual prayer – not just during the time of a crisis, but always pray that the leaders of nations will practice justice in their endeavours to settle the many so called problems of strife. Thus we appeal to you to turn to your God and pray most earnestly for peace – attend the public prayers – Mass, Rosary, Benediction at all times and show a sincere trust and confidence in the power of God."