Inverness Cathedral (Scottish Gaelic: Cathair-Eaglais Inbhir Nis), also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew (1866–69), is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church situated in the city of Inverness in Scotland close to the banks of the River Ness. It is the seat of the Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, ordinary of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness. The cathedral is the northernmost extant diocesan cathedral in mainland Britain - Dornoch Cathedral, Fortrose Cathedral and Elgin Cathedral are no longer acting as diocesan cathedrals. It was the first new Protestant cathedral to be completed in Great Britain[2] since the Reformation.

St Andrew's Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew
Cathair-Eaglais Inbhir Nis
St Andrew's Cathedral from Bishops Road
St Andrew's Cathedral is located in Highland
St Andrew's Cathedral
St Andrew's Cathedral
57°28′28″N 4°13′45″W / 57.47444°N 4.22917°W / 57.47444; -4.22917
LocationInverness
CountryScotland
DenominationScottish Episcopal Church
ChurchmanshipHigh Church[1]
Websitewww.invernesscathedral.org
History
Founder(s)Bishop Robert Eden
DedicationSt Andrew
Architecture
Architectural typeChurch
StyleGothic Revival
Years built1866-1869
Administration
DioceseMoray, Ross & Caithness
Clergy
Bishop(s)Mark Strange
Provost and rectorSarah Murray
Laity
Organist(s)Adrian Marple

History

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Bishop Robert Eden decided that the cathedral for the united Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness should be in Inverness. The foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles Longley, in 1866[3] and construction was complete by 1869, although a lack of funds precluded the building of the two giant spires of the original design. The architect was Alexander Ross, who was based in the city. The cathedral is built of red Tarradale stone, with the nave columns of Peterhead granite.

The cathedral congregation began as a mission in 1853, on the opposite side (east) of the River Ness.

Bells

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The cathedral contains a ring of ten bells, which are noted as being the most northerly peal of change-ringing bells in a church in the world.[4] The tenor bell weighs 17 cwt.[5]

List of Provosts

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The following have served as Provost of Inverness Cathedral:

Organists

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  • E A Bishop (1869 to 1872)
  • John Henry Gibbons-Money (1872 to 1900)
  • Thomas Taylor (1900 to 1916)
  • Hugh Armstrong (1916 to 1917)
  • Alfred H Allen (1917 to 1919)
  • Daniel Edwin Roberts (1920 to 1966)
  • Ena Margaret Barrett (1966 to 1975)
  • David Hardie (1975 to 1978)
  • Peter David Godden (1979 to 1985)
  • Russell Tolmie Grant (1985 to 2001)

Assistant Organist/ Cathedral Organist

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  • Gordon Tocher (Assistant Organist 1985 - 2005; Cathedral Organist 2005 to present)

Directors of Music & Organist

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  • Charles Edward Barbieri (2003 - 2006)
  • Bert Richardson (2007 to 2022)
  • Adrian Marple (2022 to present)
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Blagdon-Gamlen, P. E. (1973) The Church Travellers Directory. London: Church Literature Association; p. 81
  2. ^ "Our History". Inverness Cathedral. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ^ Gerald Stranraer-Mull: Steps on the Way: the journey of the Scottish Episcopal Church 1513-2013
  4. ^ "Ringing the changes has a-peal". www.inverness-courier.co.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  5. ^ Dove Bellringer's Guide; 6th ed., 1982, p. 181
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