What is the history of Truro Cathedral?

Answer 1

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro is an Anglican cathedral located in the city of Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. It was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style, and is one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom with three spires.

Construction began in 1880 on the site of the 16th century parish church (St Mary the Virgin) to a design by the architect John Loughborough Pearson, a leading figure of the 19th century Gothic Revival. The design combines the early English style with certain French characteristics, chiefly spires and rose windows. Truro's resemblance to Lincoln Cathedral is not coincidental. Pearson had been appointed as Lincoln's Cathedral Architect and the first Bishop of Truro, Edward Benson, had previously been Canon Chancellor at Lincoln. The central tower and spire stands 250 feet (76 m) tall, while the western towers reach to 200 feet (61 m).

An original aisle of St Mary's church is still contained within the south-east corner of the cathedral and still functions as the city centre's parish church. The Cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and as such has no Lady Chapel. A Jesus Chapel and the Chapel of Unity and Peace are reserved for quiet and prayer throughout the day. Truro has a further unusual feature - a slight bend in its plan: because the cathedral is situated in the heart of the city there was little room with houses and shops packed closely about on all sides. In order to accommodate the cathedral it was necessary to bend the building six feet northward.

Two foundation stones were laid in 1880 and the first section of the cathedral was consecrated in 1887. The central tower was completed by 1905 and the building was completed with the opening of the two western towers in 1910. Pearson died in 1897 and the work of his architectural practice was continued by his son, Frank.

The Cathedral attracts over 200,000 visitors a year and was the location for the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols, devised by Bishop Edward White Benson for Christmas Eve, 1880. In 2002 the East End was completely renovated and restored with some of the ornate Bath stone replaced with harder wearing Syerford stone. In 2005 the West Front was restored similarly. Both projects were supervised by MRDA Architects of London, the Cathedral architects. The Cathedral has a major restoration project to undertake on the central tower which will involve a fundraising campaign being launched in 2009.