Situated in the heart of Belfast’s “Cathedral Quarter” ( and not far from the River Lagan) is the Cathedral Church of St. Anne...also known as the Belfast Cathedral. This Protestant Church of Ireland is unusual in that it serves two dioceses ( that of Connor and Down/Dromore), with two bishops, instead of one.
Prior to the Cathedral’s construction, an older parish church of St. Anne (built in 1776) occupied this site. The foundation stone for the current Cathedral was laid on September 6, 1899 by the Countess of Shaftesbury, Constance Ashley-Cooper and the new Cathedral was constructed around the older parish church. When the Cathedral was completed, the older parish church was demolished. In 1941, the building was nearly destroyed when a German bomb exploded nearby. Extensive repairs were needed to bring it back to its original appearance.
Today’s structure is the result of many stages of construction over the years, with “The Troubles” of the mid-to-late 1900’s causing long delays. Its 131 foot tall stainless steel spire - known as the “Spire of Hope” - was added in April of 2007. The Cathedral’s organ is the second largest pipe-organ in Northern Ireland (after St. Peter’s parish church also in Belfast). Sisters Margaret and Gertrude Martin created the mosaics in the Cathedral’s Interior.
Prior to the Cathedral’s construction, an older parish church of St. Anne (built in 1776) occupied this site. The foundation stone for the current Cathedral was laid on September 6, 1899 by the Countess of Shaftesbury, Constance Ashley-Cooper and the new Cathedral was constructed around the older parish church. When the Cathedral was completed, the older parish church was demolished. In 1941, the building was nearly destroyed when a German bomb exploded nearby. Extensive repairs were needed to bring it back to its original appearance.
Today’s structure is the result of many stages of construction over the years, with “The Troubles” of the mid-to-late 1900’s causing long delays. Its 131 foot tall stainless steel spire - known as the “Spire of Hope” - was added in April of 2007. The Cathedral’s organ is the second largest pipe-organ in Northern Ireland (after St. Peter’s parish church also in Belfast). Sisters Margaret and Gertrude Martin created the mosaics in the Cathedral’s Interior.
Serving the Dioces of Connor and Down/Dromore, the Cathedral Church of St. Anne ( more popularly known as “Belfast Cathedral”) is the focal point of the city’s Cathedral Quarter. It sits on the same site as the late 18th century Parish Church of St. Anne.
Built in stages over many, many years, it’s foundation stone was originally laid in 1899.
In many respects, it is typical in appearance as other cathedrals we have visited elsewhere.
Artist’s rendition of the architect’s vision of the Cathedral.
It’s impressive mosaics were fabricated by the sisters Gertrude and Margaret Martin.
This is considered to be the second largest pipe organ in Northern Ireland (after Belfast’s St. Peter’s Church).
The stained glass windows were as beautiful as we’d seen elsewhere.
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