Plymouth Cathedral

Although prior to the Reformation Exeter Cathedral was the seat of the bishop, Plymouth was nominated as the centre for the Cathedral because in 1850 there were more Catholics in the town than in Exeter.  Since the dioceses foundation, the small church of Saint Mary, erected in 1807 at Saint Mary Street, had served as procathedral. Vaughan decided to build a cathedral replacing it. On 20th February 1856, he bought a portion of 'Fivefields' on Eldad Hill at the then towns' outskirts. Mr Edmund Bastard promised £1000 and a successful appeal was launched to raise the rest of the money throughout the diocese and country. The Hansom Brothers, Joseph and Charles became the architects and Mr Roberts of Stonehouse the builder. There were construction problems including subsidence caused by an English Naval Officer firing new heavy Turkish Man of War guns in Plymouth Sound. But the Bishops house was constructed, clergy moved in on the 23rd September 1857 and the Cathedral was opened at the Feast of the Annunciation on 25th March 1858.