Syro-Malabar Cathedral of St Alphonsa, Preston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Syro-Malabar Cathedral of St Alphonsa |
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St Ignatius Syro-Malabar Catholic Church | |
Entrance from Meadow Street
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OS grid reference | SD5416929933 |
Location | Preston, Lancashire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Denomination | Catholic (Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) |
Tradition | East Syriac Rite |
History | |
Status | Cathedral |
Founded | 1833 |
Founder(s) | Society of Jesus |
Dedication | Ignatius of Loyola |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade II |
Designated | 27 September 1979 |
Architect(s) | Joseph John Scoles |
Style | Gothic Revival |
Groundbreaking | 1833 |
Completed | 1886 |
Administration | |
Diocese | Eparchy of Great Britain |
The Syro-Malabar Cathedral of St Alphonsa also known as St Ignatius Church is a Catholic cathedral of the Syro-Malabar rite in Preston, Lancashire. It is the cathedral of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Great Britain, and was previously under the Diocese of Lancaster. It is situated close to the Preston city centre, with the entrance on Meadow Street. The building was opened in 1836 and was the first church in Preston to have a spire.
Since January 2015, the church has been used as a cathedral for the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. In 2016 Pope Francis raised the status of the church to that of cathedral and appointed Messenger Joseph (Benny Mathew) Srampickal as the first bishop.
History
Foundation
Prior to the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 the first legal Roman Catholic churches were built in a simple style similar to that used for Non-Conformist chapels and often incorporated the priest's house. The church was originally a Jesuit foundation.
Building
St Ignatius is one of the earliest examples of a Gothic style in the city of Preston. Work on the church started in 1833. The architect was Joseph John Scoles, who also designed the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, in London and the Church of Saint Francis Xavier, Liverpool for the Society of Jesus.
St Ignatius is one of the oldest surviving Roman Catholic church buildings in the city, and the architectural historian Sir Nicholas Pevsner declared it to be of national interest along with the sister Preston church of St Walburge. He said that it was an unusually planned Roman Catholic complex for this date.
Originally the church was much smaller, but in 1858 five new bays were added, including a new chancel and side chapels. The architect was Joseph Hansom who designed St Walburge's in 1847. The church still possesses original designs for stained glass by John Hardman of Hardman & Co., but the windows were not made. Further alterations were made to the church in 1885–6 by Matthew Ellison Hadfield and George Webster. The confessionals were removed providing space for two new chapels, and the remodelling of the chancel. The altar was raised and a new super altar made from Hopton Wood stone placed on it. New confessionals were built outside the walls and a third chapel, of the Sacred Heart, was added at the north end. Alabaster figures and much wood and stone carving were added by Frank Tory of Sheffield. In 1912 a side chapel and baptistery were added.
Syro-Malabar Church
On 2 December 2014, the church was closed. On 31 December 2014, Michael Campbell, Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancaster, was asked by George Alencherry, Major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, for exclusive use of a church in Preston by the local Syro-Malabar community. The bishop offered St Ignatius church, which was accepted. The church will remain open for private prayer and have Masses in the Syro-Malabar rite.
People
The 19th century mystic poet Francis Thompson was baptised at the church in 1859, and the poet Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ was a curate there during the late 1880s.
Gallery
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa Alfonsa (Preston) para niños