1. PLYMOUTH CATHEDRAL
As we walk up Wyndham Street – a rather minor suburban street – the Cathedral comes into view. It is built right on the corner, with no sign – at least from here – of any surrounding Cathedral grounds. However, the Cathedral has a neat and tidy appearance, and the tower with its tall spire is impressive. INDEX
2. THE EAST WALL
There is an apse with three windows at the East end of the Cathedral, and a small chapel on either side. The lower roof line along the North wall covers a chapel and the North ambulatory. We shall find that the gabled addition on this side of the North transept in fact houses the Cathedral organ.
3. NORTH CHANCEL
We walk along the length of the Cathedral. The young trees and paved pedestrian way make this a pleasant area.
4. NORTH TRANSEPT
The North transept has the same bold, uncluttered styling. It has three lancet windows, and a curious added buttress on the far Eastern corner.
5. BETWEEN TRANSEPT AND TOWER
West of the transept we follow along the North nave wall. The central nave is lit by high clerestory windows, and the nearer aisle by larger pairs of lancets. The flow of the building is now interrupted by the base of the tower. The small door into the transept at left is used for entry to the Cathedral when the main doors are closed. It leads through to the Sacred Heart Chapel.
6. LOOKING BACK
Reaching the Northwest corner we take time to look back. The base of the tower has a major doorway constructed in it, but this is not used now. There is a figure housed in a niche alcove above the tower door. I can find no mention of any bells housed in the tower.
7. ALCOVE FIGURE
Closer inspection reveals that ths alcove figure is the Virgin and Child, but in a severely weathered state. The little sheltering gable is nicely decorated and topped with a fleur-de-lys.
8. THE WEST FACE
There is a surprise at the West end of the Cathedral. An expanse of paving separates the Cathedral from the adjacent Diocesan Administrative Office, and the two buildings are connected by a stylish covered walkway.
9. WEST ENTRANCE
We can actually walk through the walkway to explore the Southern side. I think the walkway is a stroke of architectural genius! We shall return here shortly to enter the Cathedral.
10. BISHOP’S GARDEN
On the South side is a large grassed area known as ‘The Bishop’s garden’. There are good views of the Cathedral from here.
11. TOWARDS ST MARY’S SCHOOL
The East side of the Garden is bounded by the old St Mary’s School, which has now been converted into residential apartments. This building on Cecil Street abuts the Cathedral sanctuary in a mysterious way!
12. GARDEN CROSS
There is a memorial cross in the Garden near the wall of the Cathedral. The inscription on the base of the cross reads: ‘William, Bishop of Plymouth, Died 25th October 1902. R.I.P.’ William Joseph Vaughan (14 February 1814- 25 October 1902) was a British clergyman who held high office in the Roman Catholic Church as the second bishop of Plymouth. He was born on 14 February 1814 in London, England, the second son of William Vaughan, of an old recusant (dissenting Roman Catholic) family, the Vaughans of Courtfield, Herefordshire.
13. GARDEN STATUE
Near the entry to the Garden is this statue of ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’. The inscription on the base reads: ‘Of your charity, pray for the soul of John Keily, Fourth Bishop of Plymouth, Born 23rd June 1854, Ordained Priest 18th March 1877, Consecrated Bishop 13th June 1911, Died 23rd September 1928. Fortified by the Rites of the Church, May he rest in peace. Our Lady of Lourdes pray for him.’
14. WEST NARTHEX NORTH WALL TEXT
We return back up to the walkway as we prepare to enter the Cathedral. The glass sides of the walkway closest to the Cathedral are inscribed with text, as are the glass doors where we enter. We shall call this glass porch the Cathedral narthex. The words on the North wall are those of The Lord’s Prayer: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespassers, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation bur deliver us from evil. Amen.
15. WEST NARTHEX SOUTH WALL TEXT
The text on the South wall reads: ’Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.‘
16. APPROACHING THE WEST DOOR
Now standing on the walkway and looking towards the Cathedral, we have to pass through a pair of glass doors on which are inscribed The Grace.
17. EVEN MORE DOOR TEXT!
The text reads: ‘Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
18. CRUCIFIX ABOVE ENTRANCE
Above the actual Cathedral doors, affixed to the gable, is a small crucifix: the crucified Christ looking down on worshippers as they enter the Cathedral.
19. NAVE
Entering the Cathedral, the nave is before us. Slender columns supporting two rows of Gothic arches, striking orange ceilings over the side aisles, solid hanging candelabras for light, clear glass in the side windows and in the high clerestory windows above. Immediately before us the baptismal font, and the nave altar in the distance. Simple stations of the cross separate the side windows. This is a pleasing Cathedral: clear and uncluttered.
20. FONT
The baptismal font is old and solid – not at all like some! As the Church teaches that baptism is an initiation rite into both the Church and the Christian life, it is fitting that the font should be placed close to the entrance to the Cathedral.
