Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth, Hampshire
St Johns Cathedral was built in 1882 to provide for the steadily increasing number of Catholics living in Portsmouth and currently over 1000 attend mass on Sundays.
In our building we aim to create a place of rest, prayer, quiet and contemplation in a busy city.
Our building still very much carries the vision of the original architect. St Luke's building was designed by Thomas Hellyer following a competition. The design, nave, aisles, apse and a 'west' gallery, have references to Norman style but interior is fairly plain. There are dormer windows which take the place of a clerestory. The church is built with bricks but the exterior is of flint with stone dressings. The church contains an apsed sanctuary with large text boards and a ceiled semi dome. The church is little changed since it was built except that the pews have been removed and the west gallery has been changed to accommodate an organ.
The church nave is used in the week by a co-worker space. The pews have been remodelled and made in furniture for this space. Please do come and visit, work or pray with us.
