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General Design

The fusion of the basic parts of the Cathedral, the grouping of the Nave seating around the Sanctuary, with the entrance movement through the Baptistery, is the key to the design. The other elements, the Cathedra, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Organ space are easy to attach around the hexagonal Sanctuary space.
Greek and Roman Temples of the classical period were designed on the basis of a module or controlling dimension, namely the diameter of the base of the columns. The architect searched for a sympathetic rule or control based on the functional requirements within the building and found that the critical dimensions of the aisles, ambulatory, seat rows and steps were multiples of 1 ft. 6 in. [metric equivalent approx. 45 cm] All the dimensions and angles within the building are based on an equilateral triangle height 1 ft. 6 in. base to apex and this is the controlling order that runs throughout. The votive candelabrum hanging in the Lady Chapel is constructed of twenty such triangles and was made by Brother Patrick of Prinknash Abbey.

Internal

The requirements of both the environmental and structural consultants was realised by the erection of an in situ reinforced concrete structure, with the in situ walls a minimum 20.32 cm thick [8 in] and the whole cocooned in 5.08 cm. [ 2 in] expanded polystyrene. One of the main concerns is to direct attention to the Altar, to this end, windows within sight lines which could cause distraction by glare have been eliminated. All day lighting in the Cathedral is by roof lights, with daylight washing down on the ring beam walls so that overall illumination is by reflected light with intensity increasing towards the sanctuary area. The reflective interior wall surface has been achieved by using a white concrete mix having exposed in situ concrete as the internal finish. The acoustic quality of the building is a compromise between the demands of both speech and music. High level spaces created by the concrete star beam, with the suspended functional absorbers, supported by the addition of computerised high quality sound reproduction equipment ensures that one of the primary design requirements of being able to listen to the Word of God is met.

External

To protect and mask the polystyrene and provide superior weathering characteristics to the in situ concrete, the vertical external surfaces are clad with large panels of Aberdeen granite, which is pinkish brown in colour and blends with the surrounding buildings of Bath stone and Brandon stone. There is some white in situ concrete principally over the entrance canopies and here special attention has been paid to detailing to control the surface water and weathering.

Construction began in March 1970, with the foundation stone being laid by the then Bishop of Clifton, Bishop Joseph Rudderham in September 1970. The Cathedral was completed in May 1973, and consecrated and opened on June 29th, the feast of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul , under whose patronage the Cathedral is placed. The overall cost of the Cathedral and the adjacent clergy house and offices was £800,000 [1973].

The Cathedral has an international reputation for the celebration of the Liturgy and is also regularly used for music in public concert and for tuition - continuing the tradition of the Church's patronage of the arts. It is the Parish Church for those living in the immediate area, so that there is a regular Sunday and weekday worshipping community with a full range of caring apostolate activities, many undertaken in conjunction with other Christians from neighbouring churches. The Cathedral community reaches out in service to the wider community, the Diocesan family, and through the Parish Project to the needy and developing peoples throughout the world.