Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Gibraltar
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is the cathedral
for the Church of England
Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe
. Located in Cathedral Square, it is sometimes referred to simply as Gibraltar Cathedral, although it should not be confused with the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
, which is Gibraltar's
Roman Catholic cathedral. The Cathedral is particularly notable for its Moorish revival architecture
- particularly in its use of horseshoe arch
es. This is an architectural style inspired by Moorish architecture
, appropriate given the period of Moorish control in Gibraltar's history
.
, who had arrived as Governor of Gibraltar
in 1820, persuaded the British Government to sell a derelict building and use the money to build a plain church on the land.
Building work began in 1825, and the church was completed in 1832. The architect is unknown; Colonel Pilkington of the Royal Engineers
was in charge of the work. During the building process, the partially completed church had to be used for a short time as an emergency hospital during an epidemic
of Yellow Fever
.
The church was consecrated
in 1838 by Archdeacon Edward Burrow in the presence of the Dowager
Queen Adelaide
, widow of William IV
. It was raised to Cathedral status in 1842, with the creation of the Diocese of Gibraltar at the time of enthronement
of George Tomlinson
as the first Bishop of Gibraltar
.
and Gibraltar", with the intention of raising funds to be spent on improvements for St. Paul's Pro Cathedral, Malta and the Cathedral in Gibraltar. In Gibraltar the money raised was used for the construction of new vestries
and the creation of a second chapel in the south aisle
of the Cathedral, to be dedicated to Saint George
and in memory of all who lost their lives in the Mediterranean area during the war. A stone from Coventry Cathedral
, which was ruined in the blitz
, is let into the wall behind the baptismal font. It is a small stone with a cross.
The explosion of the RFA Bedenham
on 27 April 1951 caused substantial damage to the Cathedral, lifting the roof and smashing the stained glass. The windows in the sides of the building were re-glazed with plain glass, whilst the gathered fragments of coloured glass were used to construct the new stained glass window which remains in the east wall, above the high altar. The Cathedral required extensive repair work and was not in use until Christmas of that year.
cathedrals, the priest
in charge of the building and its ministry is called the Dean
. He is assisted by a Canon
Precentor
, who also acts as Port Chaplain to the Port of Gibraltar. The third priest at the cathedral is a non-stipendiary (unpaid) honorary minor canon. The Bishop of Gibraltar is not resident locally; due to the vast extent of his diocese, he lives near Gatwick Airport in England
to facilitate transport.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
for the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe
Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe
The Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe is geographically the largest diocese of the Church of England and arguably the largest diocese in the Anglican Communion, covering some one-sixth of the Earth's landmass, including Morocco, Europe , Turkey, and the territory of the former Soviet...
. Located in Cathedral Square, it is sometimes referred to simply as Gibraltar Cathedral, although it should not be confused with the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Gibraltar. It is the primary centre of Catholic worship in the Diocese of Gibraltar.-15th Century:The original building of the current cathedral was built during the Spanish period...
, which is Gibraltar's
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
Roman Catholic cathedral. The Cathedral is particularly notable for its Moorish revival architecture
Moorish Revival
Moorish Revival or Neo-Moorish is one of the exotic revival architectural styles that were adopted by architects of Europe and the Americas in the wake of the Romanticist fascination with all things oriental...
- particularly in its use of horseshoe arch
Horseshoe arch
The horseshoe arch, also called the Moorish arch and the Keyhole arch, is the emblematic arch of Islamic architecture. They were formerly constructed in Visigothic Spain. Horseshoe arches can take rounded, pointed or lobed form....
es. This is an architectural style inspired by Moorish architecture
Moorish architecture
Moorish architecture is the western term used to describe the articulated Berber-Islamic architecture of North Africa and Al-Andalus.-Characteristic elements:...
, appropriate given the period of Moorish control in Gibraltar's history
History of Gibraltar
The history of Gibraltar portrays how The Rock gained an importance and a reputation far exceeding its size, influencing and shaping the people who came to reside here over the centuries.-Prehistoric:...
.
19th Century
The church was originally built to meet the needs of Anglican worshippers among the civil population of Gibraltar, as the King's Chapel was primarily reserved for military use. John Pitt, Earl of ChathamJohn Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham
General John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham, KG, PC was a British peer and soldier.-Career:He was the eldest son of William Pitt the Elder and an elder brother of William Pitt the Younger...
, who had arrived as Governor of Gibraltar
Governor of Gibraltar
The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Governor is appointed by the British Monarch on the advice of the British Government...
in 1820, persuaded the British Government to sell a derelict building and use the money to build a plain church on the land.
Building work began in 1825, and the church was completed in 1832. The architect is unknown; Colonel Pilkington of the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
was in charge of the work. During the building process, the partially completed church had to be used for a short time as an emergency hospital during an epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
of Yellow Fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
.
The church was consecrated
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
in 1838 by Archdeacon Edward Burrow in the presence of the Dowager
Dowager
A dowager is a widow who holds a title or property, or dower, derived from her deceased husband. As an adjective, "Dowager" usually appears in association with monarchical and aristocratic titles....
Queen Adelaide
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and of Hanover as spouse of William IV of the United Kingdom. Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, is named after her.-Early life:Adelaide was born on 13 August 1792 at Meiningen, Thuringia, Germany...
, widow of William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
. It was raised to Cathedral status in 1842, with the creation of the Diocese of Gibraltar at the time of enthronement
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
of George Tomlinson
George Tomlinson
George Tomlinson was a British Labour Party politician.Born in Rishton, Lancashire, he was a conscientious objector in the First World War, and worked on the land....
as the first Bishop of Gibraltar
Bishop of Gibraltar
The Bishop of Gibraltar may refer to the ordinary of the Roman Catholic or Anglican Diocese of Gibraltar:*Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar*Anglican Bishop of Gibraltar...
.
20th Century
The Cathedral suffered no significant damage during the Second World War. After the war had come to an end, Bishop Harold Buxton made an appeal for the purpose of "Saying Thank You to MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
and Gibraltar", with the intention of raising funds to be spent on improvements for St. Paul's Pro Cathedral, Malta and the Cathedral in Gibraltar. In Gibraltar the money raised was used for the construction of new vestries
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
and the creation of a second chapel in the south aisle
Aisle
An aisle is, in general, a space for walking with rows of seats on both sides or with rows of seats on one side and a wall on the other...
of the Cathedral, to be dedicated to Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
and in memory of all who lost their lives in the Mediterranean area during the war. A stone from Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry, in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The current bishop is the Right Revd Christopher Cocksworth....
, which was ruined in the blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
, is let into the wall behind the baptismal font. It is a small stone with a cross.
The explosion of the RFA Bedenham
Explosion of the RFA Bedenham
The RFA Bedenham, a naval armament carrier, exploded while docked in Gibraltar on 27 April 1951, killing 13 people and causing a great deal of damage to the town.-Cause of the Explosion:...
on 27 April 1951 caused substantial damage to the Cathedral, lifting the roof and smashing the stained glass. The windows in the sides of the building were re-glazed with plain glass, whilst the gathered fragments of coloured glass were used to construct the new stained glass window which remains in the east wall, above the high altar. The Cathedral required extensive repair work and was not in use until Christmas of that year.
Clergy
As with all Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
cathedrals, the priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in charge of the building and its ministry is called the Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
. He is assisted by a Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
Precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
, who also acts as Port Chaplain to the Port of Gibraltar. The third priest at the cathedral is a non-stipendiary (unpaid) honorary minor canon. The Bishop of Gibraltar is not resident locally; due to the vast extent of his diocese, he lives near Gatwick Airport in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to facilitate transport.
List of the Deans of Gibraltar from 1905
| Dean | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Decimus Storry Govett Decimus Storry Govett The Very Rev Decimus Storry Govett was an eminent Anglican priest in the last decades of the 19th century and the first two of the 20th. He was born in 1827 and educated at Wadham College, Oxford... |
1905–1912 | |
| William Thomas Baring Hayter William Thomas Baring Hayter The Very Rev William Thomas Baring Hayter was an eminent Anglican Priest and teacher in the first decades of the 20th Century.... |
1913–1920 | |
| James Cropper James Cropper The Very Rev James Cropper was an eminent Anglican Priest in the first decades of the 20th century. He was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He held incumbencies at West Ham, Seaton, Broughton-in-Furness and Penrith after which he was Dean of Gibraltar... |
1920–1927 | |
| Geoffrey Hodgson Warde Geoffrey Hodgson Warde The Rt Revd Geoffrey Hodgson Warde was an eminent Anglican Priest in the middle decades of the 20th Century. He was educated at Tonbridge School and Keble College, Oxford.Ordained in 1915, he was a Curate at St Pancras before wartime service as a Chaplain to the Forces, after which he was Priest... |
1928–1933 | |
| Walter Kenrick Knight-Adkin Walter Kenrick Knight-Adkin The Very Rev Walter Kenrick Knight-Adkin CB OBE was an eminent Anglican Priest in the first half of the 20th Century.... |
1933–1941 | |
| James Johnston | 1941–1943 | Acting Dean |
| William Ashley –Brown | 1943–1945 | |
| George Stephen Nason George Stephen Nason The Very Rev Stephen Nason was an eminent Anglican Priest in the middle decades of the 20th Century. He was born on 30 March 1901 and educated at Shrewsbury and Pembroke College, Cambridge. Ordained in 1927 he was a Curate at St Luke’s Battersea followed by a period as Rector of Bamford... |
1945–1950 | |
| Henry Morgan Lloyd Henry Morgan Lloyd The Very Rev Henry Morgan Lloyd DSO OBE was an eminent Anglican Priest in the second half of the 20th Century. He was born into an ecclesiastical family and educated at Canford School and Oriel College, Oxford . Ordained in 1935 he was a Curate at Hendon... |
1950–1960 | |
| Godfrey Stuart Harling Worsley | 1960–1969 | |
| George Kenneth Giggall | 1969–1973 | |
| Ambrose Walter Marcus Weekes | 1973–1977 | |
| Robert William Pope | 1977–1982 | |
| Daniel John Rowlands | 1982–1986 | |
| Anthony Lindsey Nind | 1986–1989 | |
| Brian William Horlock | 1989–1998 | |
| William Gordon Reid | 1998–2000 | |
| Kenneth Robinson | 2000–2003 | |
| Alan Geoffrey Woods | 2003–2008 | |
| John Allan Barnes Paddock | 2008- | |