
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is a place of Christian worship in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The cathedral is known for its stunning architecture, intricate mosaics, and elaborate stone carvings. It is dedicated to St Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, and has been a significant part of the city's landscape for over a century. While it serves as a place of worship for Christians from various traditions, including Anglicans and Catholics, it is essential to note that the cathedral itself falls under the Church of Ireland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast |
| Other Names | Belfast Cathedral, Cathedral Church of St. Anne |
| Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Type | Cathedral, Church of Ireland, Anglican |
| Worship | Ecumenical, welcoming Christians of all traditions |
| Architecture | Romanesque |
| Features | Stained glass windows, mosaics, carved stonework, Spire of Hope |
| History | Built on the site of St. Anne's Church, foundation stone laid in 1899, completed in stages, west front finished in 1927, Spire of Hope added in 2007 |
| Services | Worship services, Choral Eucharist, Choral Evensong, Chapel of the Holy Spirit for quiet prayer |
| Artifacts | Burials, mosaics depicting St. Patrick |
| Traditions | Annual Christmas 'Sit Out' by the Dean of Belfast, known as "Black Santa" |
| Accessibility | Open to visitors daily, guided and audio tours available, website with service times and updates |
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What You'll Learn

St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast is Anglican
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is an Anglican cathedral, serving the Church of Ireland, and has been a place of Christian worship for over a century. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1899, and the building, designed in the Romanesque style, has been expanded over the years.
The cathedral is known for its striking architecture, including the 40-metre stainless steel "Spire of Hope", added in 2007. The interior features intricate mosaics by the Martin sisters, Gertrude and Margaret, elaborate stone carvings by sculptors Rosamond Praeger, Morris Harding, and Esmond Burton, and beautiful stained glass windows. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, dedicated in 1932, is a highlight, with its mosaics depicting Saint Patrick.
St Anne's Cathedral has a rich history and is closely intertwined with the city of Belfast. It is notable for serving two separate dioceses, Down and Dromore and Connor, and has two Bishop's Seats. The cathedral has a strong tradition of ecumenism, maintaining a living partnership with St Peter's Roman Catholic Cathedral and including ecumenical canons from the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches.
The cathedral offers a range of services, including the weekly Cathedral Sung Eucharist on Sunday mornings and the traditional Choral Evensong service. It also provides guided and self-guided tours, allowing visitors to explore its history and admire its artistic features. St Anne's Cathedral is open to visitors daily, welcoming people of all faiths seeking a quiet space for prayer and reflection.
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The cathedral is dedicated to the mother of the Virgin Mary
St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is a place of Christian worship and is part of the Church of Ireland, whose daily worship is Anglican. The cathedral is dedicated to St Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.
The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1899, and the building, Romanesque in style, was added to over the years. The west front, serving as a memorial to those from Ulster who died in World War I, was completed in 1927. The Spire of Hope, a 40-metre stainless steel structure, was added in 2007 and is illuminated at night. The cathedral also features intricate mosaics, carved stonework, and stained glass windows.
St Anne's Cathedral has a rich history and is known for its striking architecture and artwork. It offers guided tours that showcase its connection to the city of Belfast and its historic artefacts. The cathedral also has a strong musical tradition, with a choir and regular services of worship, including Choral Evensong and Cathedral Sung Eucharist.
The cathedral serves two separate dioceses, Down and Dromore and Connor, and has two Bishop's Seats. It maintains a living partnership with St Peter's Roman Catholic Cathedral and has ecumenical canons from the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches. St Anne's Cathedral is a place of prayer, reflection, and worship for Christians of all traditions.
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It serves two dioceses and has two Bishop's Seats
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is a place of Christian worship in Belfast. It has stood for over 100 years and is known for its stunning architecture and artwork. The cathedral was built on the site of St Anne's Church, which was Belfast's first Church of Ireland Parish. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1899, and the building, Romanesque in style, was completed in stages over the years.
The cathedral is unusual in that it serves two separate dioceses, Down and Dromore and Connor, and has two Bishop's Seats. It maintains a living partnership with St Peter's Roman Catholic Cathedral in the city and has ecumenical canons representing the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches.
The cathedral features a 40-metre stainless steel "Spire of Hope", which was added in 2007 and is illuminated at night. The interior boasts intricate mosaics by the Martin sisters, Gertrude and Margaret, elaborate stonework by sculptors Rosamond Praeger, Morris Harding, and Esmond Burton, and beautiful stained glass windows. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, dedicated in 1932, features mosaics depicting Saint Patrick and is open to all visitors for quiet prayer and reflection.
The cathedral offers various services throughout the week, including the Cathedral Sung Eucharist on Sunday mornings and Choral Evensong, a traditional service led by the cathedral choir. It also provides guided and self-guided tours, taking visitors on a journey through the cathedral's history and its connection to the city of Belfast.
St Anne's Cathedral has a rich history, having almost been destroyed by a German bomb in 1941 and facing delays in construction due to The Troubles and inflation. It holds a significant place in the community, with traditions such as the annual "Black Santa" event before Christmas, where the Dean and members of the cathedral chapter raise money for local charities.
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The cathedral was built on the site of St Anne's Church
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is a Romanesque-style Anglican cathedral in Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is Belfast's first Church of Ireland Parish. The cathedral was built on the site of St Anne's Church, with construction beginning in 1899 when the foundation stone of the Nave was laid. The old parish church of St Anne, built in 1776, continued to be used until 31 December 1903, while the cathedral was constructed around it. The old church was then demolished, with only the Good Samaritan window being retained in the new cathedral.
The initial construction of the cathedral involved only the building of the nave, which was consecrated on 2 June 1904. The west front of the cathedral was constructed as a memorial to the Ulstermen and women who had served and died in the First World War. The foundation stone for this section was laid by the 3rd Duke of Abercorn, Governor of Northern Ireland, on 2 June 1925, and the completed facade was dedicated in June 1927. The rest of the cathedral has been completed in stages over the years, with the final section, the North Transept, being consecrated in 1981.
The cathedral has a rich history and plays a significant role in the community. It features stunning architecture and artwork, including the "`Spire of Hope", a 40-metre stainless steel spire installed in 2007 that illuminates the city skyline at night. The cathedral also houses the second largest pipe organ in Northern Ireland, built by Harrison and Harrison in 1907 and rebuilt between 1969 and 1975.
St Anne's Cathedral is known for its welcoming atmosphere and is a place where Christians of all traditions can come together in worship. It offers a range of services throughout the week, including traditional Choral Evensong, providing a space for quiet reflection and prayer. The cathedral is open to visitors daily, inviting them to explore its beauty and participate in its worship services.
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The Spire of Hope was added in 2007
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, is a Romanesque-style Anglican cathedral in Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. The cathedral was built on the site of St Anne's Church, which was Belfast's first Church of Ireland Parish.
The Spire of Hope was added to St Anne's Cathedral in April 2007. The 40-metre stainless steel spire was installed on top of the cathedral as part of a wider redevelopment plan for the Cathedral Quarter. The structure is illuminated at night. The Spire of Hope was designed by Belfast-based architects Robert Jamison and Colin Conn, who won a competition held in 2004 for a new spire at St Anne's Cathedral. The project cost £850,000.
The Spire rises some 250 feet (80 metres) above ground level. The portion of the Spire visible is equal in height to the Cathedral's Celtic Cross, which is the largest Celtic Cross in Ireland. The base section of the spire protrudes through a glass platform in the cathedral's roof directly above the choir stalls, allowing visitors to view it from the nave. The glass platform was constructed to allow people to see the Spire from inside the cathedral.
The Spire of Hope was dedicated in September 2007 by the Archbishop of Armagh, Alan Harper, in an ecumenical service that also included representatives from other Northern Irish Christian denominations, including the Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. Reaction to the Spire of Hope was mixed. While some praised it for being imaginative, others opined that it looked like a needle rather than a spire.
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Frequently asked questions
St Anne's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Anne, is a place of Christian worship in Belfast that has stood for over 100 years.
While St Anne's Cathedral is Anglican, it is a place where Christians of all traditions may worship together. The cathedral maintains a living partnership with St Peter's Roman Catholic Cathedral in the city and ecumenical canons occupy stalls representing the Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches.
St Anne's Cathedral is known for its stunning architecture and artwork, including intricate mosaics, elaborately carved stonework, stained glass windows, the tomb of Lord Carson, the Titanic Pall, the State Seats, and the organ.
The foundation stone of St Anne's Cathedral was laid in 1899 and the building, which is Romanesque in style, continued to grow over the years, with the final section being consecrated in 1981. The iconic 40-metre stainless steel 'Spire of Hope' was added in 2007.





































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