World

Brisbane cathedral completed after more than 100 years

After more than 100 years in the making, St John's Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane, Australia has finally been completed.

The last medieval constructive project of its kind in the world, St John was completed with the lowering of a 43 feet tall copper-clad spire onto the Central Tower, reports the Anglican Church.

"This represents practical completion of the project more than 102 years after it began and 119 years after it was first designed by English Victorian gothic architect John Pearson," said the Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr Phillip Aspinall, who blessed the spire during a ceremony on Tuesday.

The spire sits on top of the tower that houses the cathedral bells.

"Up to 100,000 stones have been used for the complete cathedral construction project which has involved hundreds of people across generations," he added.

The gothic cathedral was designed in 1889 and construction began 17 years later. It was built in three phases starting in 1906, and with the final stage taking place in 1989. The cost of the final stage alone was $39.5 million.

"This cathedral is a beautiful and sacred building but it is nothing without people. I thank all supporters of the project and invite all Queenslanders to visit and share in the experience that is St John's," said Archbishop Aspinall.

An official ceremony to mark the completion of St John's Cathedral is scheduled next year during the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane's 150th anniversary celebration.

Added: Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 8:46 (GMT)

To me St John's is the most beautiful building in Australia. Its simplified neo French gothic lines are superb with the creamy white stone interior accentuated by tall columns and beautiful arches. In a modern city like Brisbane, which has so many concrete and glass edifices lacking true soul, the Cathedral space provides a wonderful sanctuary from the pressures of modern life. Visitors often comment that it is like being transported back into the 13th century. Though obviously not as large and elaborate as Chartres, it's nevertheless an extraordinary feat of construction whose architect John Pearson died in the middle of completing the plans and who was so highly regarded as a church architect that he was buried in Westminster Abbey. Far from being an empty space, the Cathedral attracts over 15,000 visitors a year, many of them young backpackers who are intrigued by this jewel of gothic architecture in a subtropical setting.

Denzil Scrivens, Brisbane, Australia

Added: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 22:29 (GMT)

"The last medieval constructive project of its kind in the world starts the story of wasted monies in Brisbane Australia.

But that rather denies the existence of the worlds biggest religions doesn't it?

This building is not beautiful, like Chartres Cathedral or many others across Europe but it is very expensive and consumed millions of dollars of public funds, for years, only to find its seats largely empty in a city that barely cares.

It would however make a good McDonalds and be overflowing with eager fans.

howard haighter, sydney australia

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