“It is indeed no little joy to me to stand among you this night 'in the courts of the Lord's house, to praise the Lord.' If by His grace this Cathedral may be the means of its redeeming you by its very stateliness; that the house of God should rise pre-eminent above the dwellings of men; that in this world of sin and care, of sorrow, disease, and death, it offers a refuge for weary souls, then have I not laboured in vain, nor spent in vain the offerings of myself and others, in raising this noble sanctuary. May it be the emblem continually of that better 'house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.' May the cross by which it is surmounted remind every passer-by of the daily cross he is appointed to bear, and not to murmur at it. May it be the centre of unity to the scattered clergy and members of our community. The Cathedral is properly the parish church of the whole diocese; all have equal right to enter and worship there.” (Augustus Short at the Opening of the Cathedral for worship, 29 June 1876.)

The See of Adelaide was constituted in June 1847, but as there was no cathedral, Trinity Church on North Terrace was designated as the pro-tempore Cathedral Church. Augustus Short, the first Bishop of Adelaide, held the first ordinations there on St. Peter's Day in 1848. When Adelaide was surveyed by Colonel William Light over a decade before, land in Victoria Square had been set aside for public use. Bishop Short obtained a land grant in the square from the Governor, Major-General Frederick Robe, in March 1848. By late 1849, a subscription was bringing in funds for the construction of a cathedral on the now-cleared site. However, the legality of the land grant began to be publicly questioned around this time, and it was argued that the area was a public reserve and the Governor had no power to issue such grants. To resolve matters, Bishop Short, supported by the Synod, took the matter to the Supreme Court, and the judgment in June 1855 confirmed that the grant was invalid, and construction could not proceed.

Bishop Short eventually purchased just over an acre of land at the corner of King William Road and Pennington Terrace North Adelaide in August 1862. He reported in 1868 that the funds gathered were sufficient, and he announced to the Diocesan Synod his decision to begin construction of a cathedral. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid on St. Peter's Day, June 29th, 1869, marking the beginning of a construction journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Seven years later the Cathedral, still unfinished, but fine and worthy, was opened for worship.

The design of St. Peter's Cathedral was initially entrusted to William Butterfield, a prominent architect of religious buildings in England and a leader in the Gothic Revival movement. His plans were for a building similar in overall size to the Cathedral as it stands, but with walls designed in alternate bands of light freestone, red brick and bluestone. The Western towers were small, without porches, and with small pyramidal roofs, so that the lantern tower, very much the same as executed, was the loftiest feature. The Bishop did not agree with Butterfield’s plans, and sought some changes, but neither would give way, and ultimately the partnership was severed.

The design of the building passed to local architect Edward Woods, who retained Butterfield’s general design but extended its length and breadth and used local stone instead of the brick. Perhaps Woods’ most significant changes are in the greater influence of French Gothic architecture, with its height and lightness, and the West front, which features a stunning rose window, reminiscent of those found in many famous cathedrals overseas.

Despite financial difficulties, including a recession, construction continued throughout the 19th century, with the nave and towers completed in 1901, followed by the Crypt and Lady Chapel in 1904, when the Cathedral was finally consecrated. The towers and spires, which had been the subject of much debate and controversy, were finally completed in 1908.

Work continued over the years, with the installation of a Cathedral-standard pipe organ in 1930, and the hanging of a celebrated ring of 8 bells in 1946.

Today, St. Peter's Cathedral remains a beloved landmark in the city of Adelaide, and its rich history is a source of pride for all who call the city home. Its magnificent architecture and beautiful interior continue to inspire awe and reverence, and it remains an active place of worship, with regular services held throughout the week. Whether you are a resident or a visitor to Adelaide, a visit to St. Peter's Cathedral is a must, as it provides a fascinating insight into the history and culture of this beautiful city.