Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford
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Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity | ||
---|---|---|
Style Classical | | |
Completed | 1793 | |
Specifications | ||
Materials | Limestone | |
Administration | ||
Province | Cashel and Emly | |
Diocese | Waterford and Lismore | |
Parish | Cathedral | |
Clergy | ||
Bishop(s) | Alphonsus Cullinan |
The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore located in Barronstrand Street, Waterford City, Ireland. The cathedral is the oldest post-Reformation Catholic cathedral in Ireland, pre-dating the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 by some 36 years.[1]
History
The cathedral was designed by
A chapel – known in the city as the 'Big Chapel' – had previously stood on the same ground, having been constructed there in 1693 at the height of the
The cathedral was extended and modified many times over its history – it was initially to a square footprint, with later extensions to both the east and west ends of the building. The sanctuary was extended to the east in 1829–1837 during the episcopate of
Bishop John Power made some of the most significant additions – in 1881, he commissioned the baldachin, and a new altar (incorporating the front of its predecessor) and reredos.[2] Bishop Power also commissioned an elaborate polychrome decoration of the ceiling and walls. In 1883, Bishop Power commissioned George Goldie, London, to design the imposing Baroque-style pulpit, the fine choir stalls and the bishop's chair or cathedra. These items were carved in oak by Buisine & Fils of Lille in France.[2] The cathedral's fine stained glass windows were installed between 1883 and 1887, most commissioned from Mayer of Munich. In the final major 19th century modification, a classical, Ionic-form cut-stone external west facade was installed during Bishop Sheehan's time. Not all of these changes found immediate favour – 'neither the decorations of 1881 nor the improvements of 1893 commended themselves to the conservative Catholics of Waterford, who considered Bishop Power's scheme too gaudy and Bishop Sheehan's facade unnecessary and inferior"[1].
Further changes occurred in the early 20th century, including side-extensions to the organ gallery, and changes to the entrance area under the organ gallery. In the 1930s, during the episcopate of Bishop Kinane, the cathedral was redecorated, and a matrix of steel rods was installed between the cathedral's columns, at capital level. These rods monitor the movement of the columns, which are built on the marshy foundations of the cathedral site.[2] Evidence of the degree of movement is easily seen on the north arcade of the nave.
The cathedral was refurbished in 1977, and to meet the requirements of the Second Vatican Council, the sanctuary was re-ordered. The choir stalls were moved to the outer walls, and the cathedra relocated, and whilst the side-chapels are now obscured, the fine stalls, cathedra and pulpit were at least retained and preserved. A new altar was installed so that Mass could be celebrated ad populum (facing the people) – this altar incorporates carvings from the sanctuary of St Carthage's Church, Lismore – 'a sensitive gesture to earlier history'.[2] In 1979, a gift of ten crystal chandeliers from Waterford Crystal enhanced the glory of the cathedral. A complete re-flooring of the building and a restructuring of the sacristy took place between 1989 and 1992. Further work was completed in November 2006 including re-roofing of the cathedral.[3]
Cathedral administrators
The cathedral is, since 1810, a mensal parish, with the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore as parish priest, and an administrator appointed as priest in charge.
Pastors of the ‘Big Chapel’
- Rev, Paul Bellew, V.G, in exile, but Parish Priest c.1704–1732
- Rev. William O'Meara, V.G, 1728–43
- Rev. William Browne, 1743–47
- Rev. Patrick Fitzgerald, 1747–67
- Rev. William Francis Galwey, 1767–72
The new cathedral dean
- Rev. Dr. Thomas Hearn, 1772–1810
On Dean Hearn's death Holy Trinity became a mensal parish, with administrators as follow:
- Rev. Garrett Connolly, 1810–17
- Rev. Thomas Murphy, 1817–18
- Rev. Eugene Condon, 1818–28
- Rev. Thomas Dixon, 1828–43
- Rev. Richard Fitzgerald 1843–62
- Rev. Thomas English, 1862–67
- Rev. Edward P. Walsh, 1867–69
- Rev. Patrick Ryan, D.D., 1869–83
- Rev. Robert Power, 1883–86
- Rev. Patrick J. Sheehan 1886–91
- Rev. William O'Donnell, 1891–1902
- Rev. Thomas F. Furlong, 1902–12
- Rev. William O'Connell, 1912–24
- Rev. John McCarthy, 1924–35
- Rev. John Warren, 1935–36
- Rev. John O’Connor, 1936–46
- Rev. William Cahill, 1946–51
- Rev. Richard Coady, 1951–68
- Rev. William Hallanan, 1968–72
- Rev. Charles Lawn, 1972–73
- Rev. Francis Hopkins, 1973–79
- Rev. Thomas Nugent, 1979–85
- Rev Nicholas O’Mahony, 1985–1995
- Rev William Ryan, 1995–2001
- Rev Joseph Condon, 2001–2007
- Rev Gerard Langford, 2007–2012
- Rev Paul Waldron, 2012–2016
- Rev Edmond Cullinan, 2016–2021
- Rev John Harris, 2021–present