THE Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is not only one of the oldest buildings in Hamilton, but also one of the most photographed as it looms out over the city skyline. Its rich history dates back to 1844 when the Right Reverend Edward Field, consecrated Bishop of Newfoundland, approached a Scottish architect working in Newfoundland at that time with designs for a cathedral.William Hay, who also later designed the “Unfinished Church” in St. George’s, executed James Cranston’s original designs - with a few modifications - and on July 1 the foundation stone was laid and building began.

The church, known as the First Trinity, was completed in 1883, but disaster struck when arsonists virtually destroyed the building in January 1884.

Five months later a building committee was organised and Mr. Hay, who had been working at the East End on what would become known as the “Unfinished Church” at the time, was called back.

Ironically he abandoned this impressive gothic vestige looming out over St. George’s on the eve of its completion, perhaps in part because the funds were diverted to the rebuilding of Hamilton’s fire-ravaged Cathedral.

Mr. Hay called in another architect, George Henderson - the men later formed a partnership - and together work began on rebuilding the Cathedral.

As they set about the project the men decided to use something they had an abundance of, native Bermuda stone. And they imported Caen stone from Normandy, France to frame the doors and windows. The final result is a typical Restoration Gothic-style cathedral in the shape of a Roman Cross.

Some of the Caen stonework around the windows, doors and arches is currently being replaced - something that is necessitated every 19 or so years due to the degrading effects of Bermuda’s humidity on this soft, honey-coloured stone.

The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity was finally completed in 1905 with the addition of a nave and tower under the watchful eyes of Mr. Henderson’s assistant, Alan Lawrie Goodwin, who took over the work following Mr. Henderson’s death some months before.

Mr. Goodwin was also responsible for the rebuilding of the choir area from 1906 to 1911, while the tiled roof was replaced in copper in 1926 by Harold Tarbolton and completed by Lawrence Harrower Smart in 1927.

Tourists and energetic locals can climb the 155 steps leading to the top of the Cathedral’s majestic tower, which offers the most amazing panoramic views of the City of Hamilton.

The tower was also recently restored and renovated after years of neglect.

The Reverend Canon Jeffry Smith recently gave the Mid-Ocean News a tour of the Cathedral.<\p>He mentioned the Cathedral is currently working with the Government Archives to put a historic display in the tower over the next few months.

During this tour Canon Smith made note of the new visitors’ centre and gave a demonstration of the new personal audio system, which will be put into operation for visitors after Easter.

Armed with these audio devices, tales about the stained glass windows, statues and other historical anecdotes about the Cathedral will now come to life for those touring the building.

One such quirky story involves a glass case near the door to the tower which contains a lovely silver trowel.

Canon Smith explains that this trowel was presented to the Governor and Commander in Chief, Lt. Gen. Sir Robert MacGregor in 1905 to commemorate the opening of the tower.

He says it was discovered a few years ago in an antique shop in the UK and returned to the Cathedral where it was given an honourable spot on the wall.

Running down the centre of the Cathedral is a double row of granite-coated columns.

Originally planned as a single row of columns on either side of the pews, architects had no choice but to alter designs when the entire building “swayed” in a hurricane in the 1900s.

Hanging above the iron gates leading to the vestry are a row of nine floral Coats of Arms made by the Bermuda Garden Club in 1971.

The coats of arms, dedicated to the 17th century Bermuda Company investors who gave their names to the nine Parishes of Bermuda, were decorated using colourful seeds, rice and barley and proved enormously popular with the resident mice.

Following a few days of nibbling, Cathedral staff removed the decorations and sprayed them with pesticide to keep the hungry mice at bay.

Pointing to the low ceiling along the outer rim of the pews, Canon Smith explains that when rewiring was done about three years ago, a time capsule was discovered under the wooden boards in this area, dating back to December 1950. The glass container was jam-packed with two copies of The Royal Gazette>and church bulletins and was ironically left by electricians who were doing rewiring that year.

Over the years various additions and changes have been made to the Cathedral, including the addition of stained glass windows and the restoration of the bell in 1956. It had remained silent since 1948 when its housing was destroyed by a hurricane and today provides the City of Hamilton with a very distinctive chime at noon every day.

Not only did this Church Street landmark enable Hamilton to become a city in 1897, but has served as an integral part of Bermuda’s heritage, both as a place of worship and as an historical monument.