St. Andrew's Cathedral in Singapore

The St. Andrew's Cathedral, which is an Anglican church, is the largest cathedral in Singapore. The St. Andrew's Cathedral is situated in the Central Area of Singapore's business centre. The St. Andrew's Cathedral is the mother of all the 55 congregations and 26 parishes in Singapore. This Cathedral uses the St. Andrew's cross as its logo. The St. Andrew's Cathedral has celebrated its 150th anniversary in the year 2006.

History of the St. Andrew's Cathedral The first St. Andrew's Church was constructed between the years 1835-1836 following the design of George Drumgoole Coleman. The second St. Andrew's Church was built in the year 1842 and its designer was John Turnbull Thompson. The Church was closed in 1852 amid speculation of spirit activities and a damage caused by lightnings.The Church was ultimately demolished in 1855.

The St. Andrew's cathedral was designed by the executive engineer Colonel Ronald Macpherson. Like many other buildings of that time it was constructed by the Indian Convicts. Lord Bishop of Calcutta, Reverend Daniel Wilson put the foundation stone of the Church on the 4th March, 1856.On 1st October, 1861 the church held its first service.

The St. Andrews Cathedral acted as an emergency-hospital before the Japanese conquered Singapore in the year 1942.

Architecture of the St. Andrew's Cathedral
George Drumgoole Coleman designed the first cathedral in the Palladian architectural style. J.T. Thomson laid out the plan for the second cathedral having a spire and a tower but that subsequently got damaged by lightning.

The present St. Andrew's Cathedral lacks the fine work, which the Netley Abbey in the U.K. (believed to be its prototype) once possessed in the 13th century, owing to the fact that it was constructed by the Indian convict laborers. However Reverend Ronald Macpherson's plan has got some very nice qualities and is greatly inspired by Neo-Gothic architecture. The Cathedral contributes largely to Singapore and Padang's skyline.

The red and grey memorial monument, carved out of granite is dedicated to Reverand MacPherson. The 3 stained glass-windows of the apse are dedicated to the Major General William Butterworth who was the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Stamford Raffles and to the first resident of Singapore, John Crawford.

The Cathedral's association with England's Anglican Communion is evident through 3 special objects:
The Canterbury stone in the pillar with a bronze cross engraved on it which was gifted by Canterbury's Metropolitan Cathedral Church shows St. Andrew's affiliation to the See of Canterbury. <

The column supporting the pulpit has a Coventry Cross made out of 2 silver-coated iron nails, collected from the ruins of the Coventry Cathedral of the 14th century. <
br> The Epiphany Chapel's Coronation Carpet is actually a part of the flaxen carpet used in the Westminster Abbey at the time of coronation of Queen Elizabeth 2.

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