Westminster Cathedral

The centre of Roman Catholic life in turn-of-the-twenthieth-century London was unquestionably the new and stately Westminster Cathedral, opened in 1903 with splendid ceremonial.

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Byzantine in character, and built of red-brick stone, it had a most imposing appearance, and, together with a new Archbishop's House, and Diocesan Hall, formed one continuous block of buildings, 550 feet in length.

Unfortunately, it was quite hidden in Ashley Place from the main road, and was easily missed in going along Victoria Street.

The architecture of Westminster Cathedral certainly set it apart from other London landmarks, owing more to the Byzantine style of the eastern Roman Empire than the familiar Gothic of our native cathedrals.

It was the masterpiece of architect John Francis Bentley (1839-1902), and was inspired by, amongst others, St Mark's in Venice and Santa Sophia in Constantinople.

The Architects Journal had this to say about Westminster Cathedral: "A great religious building which, though clearly rooted in the architectural concerns of the late nineteenth century, has timeless qualities which set it apart from more commonplace works of the age."

Next: Roman Catholic Churches in 1900 London.