What is the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Gibraltar, and can visitors go in?
Short answer
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is Gibraltar's Anglican cathedral, built in Moorish revival style between 1825 and 1832 and consecrated in 1838. It is open to visitors Monday to Saturday, 11am to 3pm, and holds Sunday services at 8am and 11am.
Detailed answer
History
Plans for an Anglican church were drawn up as early as 1740, but building only began in 1825 under Sir George Don, Lieutenant Governor from 1814 to 1832, who is buried in the cathedral. The church was consecrated in 1838 in the presence of Queen Adelaide, widow of King William IV, and became a cathedral in 1842 when the Anglican Diocese of Gibraltar was created.
Its horseshoe arches and Moorish revival style make it one of the most distinctive buildings in the town centre. The cathedral was among the buildings damaged by the Bedenham explosion in April 1951.
The Diocese in Europe
Holy Trinity is the historic seat of the Church of England's Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe. The diocese covers Anglican chaplaincies across continental Europe, with several hundred congregations in more than 30 countries. This Anglican bishop is a different office from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar, whose seat is the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.
Visiting
- Location: Cathedral Square, towards the southern end of Main Street, with the main entrance facing Line Wall Road
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 3pm
- Access: step-free entry through the blue door on the north side; a hearing loop is fitted
- Sunday services: 8am Said Eucharist and 11am Sung Eucharist
- Weekday service: Wednesday 10am Said Eucharist
- Services are also streamed live on the cathedral's YouTube channel
Visitors are welcome at services. Check the cathedral website before you go, as times can change for festivals and special events. Gibraltar's other Anglican place of worship is the King's Chapel next to the Convent on Main Street, open to visitors on Wednesday and Friday mornings.