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Imagine heading into your parish church to worship on a Sunday while the walls of this great Cathedral were literally raised around you…

That is what happened during the construction of Belfast Cathedral, known locally as St Anne’s, to whom the building is dedicated. This site in Donegall Street originally housed a smaller church in Classical style, a gift to the town of Belfast by its landlord, Lord Donegall.

This Parish Church was consecrated in 1776 and called St Anne’s, after the mother of the Virgin Mary. Lord Donegall’s wife was also called Anne, which probably determined the choice of name.

The project to build a cathedral for Belfast was launched in 1895. Architects were appointed, both Belfast men, Thomas Drew, who provided the plans, and WH Lynn. The style chosen was Romanesque—characterised by semi-circular arches—and the building would be basilican in form.

Laying The

Foundation Stone

The foundation stone was laid on September 6th 1899. Building began around the old church, which continued to be used for services until the end of 1903. By which time the tower of little St Anne’s had been dismantled and the church was no longer visible from the street! For five months the congregation worshipped in the Clarence Place Hall in May Street.

The only feature of the old St Anne’s Church to remain in the present-day Cathedral is the Good Samaritan Window.

To erect a great building like the Cathedral in the centre of Belfast it is necessary to drive piles through a bed of soft clay—sleech—to a firmer stratum. Wooden piles 50 feet long support the walls and pillars of the nave. This ground problem explains why Belfast Cathedral has a light-weight spire instead of a heavy central tower.

The first part of the building to be constructed, the nave, was consecrated on June 2nd 1904.

For nearly 80 years the cruciform church was a work in progress, with sections completed bit by bit: Crypt and foundations for a proposed crossing tower 1922-24; west front 1925-27; baptistery 1928; Chapel of the Holy Spirit 1932; apse and ambulatory 1959; transepts 1974 and 1981. A temporary brick chancel did duty until the east end was completed. The stainless steel Spire of Hope was lowered into place in 2007.

As you enter, a feature of the flooring is the labyrinth, or maze, an image of the journey of life.

Many of the decorative elements of the building have been given in memoriam. The visitor should note the patterns in their arrangement. Each of the mighty pillars represents an aspect of life in our province: North side – science, linen industry, healing, agriculture, music; south side – theology, shipbuilding, freemasonry, the arts, womanhood. Half columns (responds) represent cardinal virtues – courage, justice, temperance and wisdom.

Portrait heads above the nave pillars depict distinguished churchmen, and one woman, the hymn-writer, Mrs CF Alexander.

In each corner of the nave there is an archangel: Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, and Uriel. The nave windows depict major figures from the Old Testament; temple-building is the subject of the west windows; windows in the ambulatory represent five of St Paul’s fruits of the spirit.

Sparkling at the west end are mosaics representing Creation, St Patrick’s return to Ireland and Isaiah’s vision in the Temple. Above the West Door is a memorial to choir men who lost their lives in the war of 1914-1918.

January 1

ANOTHER YEAR IS DAWNING

Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836–1879

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

It is always challenging to approach a new year and to realize anew that our days upon this earth are so rapidly passing. How important it is that we pause with the psalmist and pray for a “heart of wisdom” that will enable us this year to live each new day in a way that brings all glory to our God. I with Thee would begin, O my Savior so dear, on the way that I still must pursue; I with Thee would begin every day granted here, as my earnest resolve I renew—To be and remain Thine forever. —From the Swedish

In January of 1874, the many friends of Frances Ridley Havergal received a New Year’s greeting with the heading, “A Happy New Year! Ever Such May it Be!” Following this greeting appeared her text, still considered to be one of the finest New Year’s prayers of consecration ever written:

Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be, in working or in waiting another year with Thee; another year of progress, another year of praise, another year of proving Thy presence all the days. Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace; another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face; another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast; another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest. Another year of service, of witness for Thy love; another year of training for holier work above. Another year of dawning, Dear Father, let it be, on earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee. Amen.

One can well imagine that those who received this greeting card from Miss Havergal that year read her words thoughtfully. They were written by one who had already become widely known throughout England as “the consecration poet.” It was said of her that she always lived her words before she wrote them. Her life was one of constant and complete commitment to God. Her many talents—an accomplished pianist and vocalist, proficiency in seven languages, a keen mind (memorization of the entire New Testament, Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets)—were all dedicated to serving God and others during the new year.

May that be our challenge for this new year as well!

     For Today:

Deuteronomy 1:30, 31; Joshua 3:4; Psalm 39:4; Isaiah 58:11

Begin this new year with a fervent prayer such as the one written by Frances Havergal that God will give your life a renewed purpose and power as you earnestly seek to represent Him in a worthy manner.

Preface

Even a casual visit to a bookstore will impress a viewer with the many “how-to” or self-improvement books that are available today.

How to be happy, be healthy, be successful, be a good parent … and the list goes on.

But what are the “how-to’s” for an effective spiritual life? Are there daily practices that Christians should pursue? First and foremost, there needs to be an appreciative awareness of God’s amazing grace in our lives: grace that adopted us as sinners and made us members of the heavenly kingdom; grace that sustains and directs our daily steps; and the grace that will ultimately usher us to our eternal home.

Secondly, let me suggest these key words that also need to be a vital part of every believer’s daily experience: Praise—Prayer—Love A daily life of praise, thanksgiving, and the adoration of God. A daily life of prayer, fellowship, and a communion with God. A daily life of love, a delight in the personal assurance of God’s love and a desire to share His love with others. Two basic resource books are available to help us in this spiritual well-being: the Bible, and the church hymnal.

Regular study of the Bible, God’s infallible rule of faith and practice, is an absolute essential for Christian living. Nothing ever replaces our daily need for His trustworthy Word.

Through the ages, however, devout believers from every Christian community have responded to God and His inspired revelation with their own expressions. The church hymnal, a most important heritage of the Christian church, is one of the finest collections of man’s thoughts and feelings about God. When these choice responses are further enhanced with appropriate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, there exists a reservoir of unusual spiritual strength and encouragement. Spend time each day with the two resource books now blended together into these daily devotionals.

Allow God to speak directly to you through the Scriptures. Also, consider thoughtfully how other sincere believers have related to God with their “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Then respond to Him with your own expressions of praise,prayer, and love. Carry a musical truth with you throughout each day. Let the non-Christian world observe a living demonstration of a joyful faith. And as you do, you will become increasingly aware of God’s amazing grace and His power that enables you to live an effective and victorious Christian life. Perhaps these words, written more than two centuries ago, will begin to have new meaning for you:

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. Thru many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. —John Newton, 1725–1807

“I am in myself, incapable of standing a single hour without continual fresh supplies of strength and grace from the fountain-head.” —John Newton

Hymns breathe the praise of the saints, The vision of the prophets, The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs. They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed, Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed. They span the centuries of history and bridge the barriers of denominations. Study them to be pure in heart; Sing them to be joyful in spirit, Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship. —Unknown