To the left of the Nave Altar is the pulpit. This is the place where sermons are preached. The pulpit is made of English oak, carved in Adelaide by Norman, Turner and Nottage. It was designed by Walter Bagot, the Cathedral architect from 1907-1945 and is a memorial to Canon Dr Arthur Dendy who was Precentor and Bishop’s Vicar from 1878 to 1890.

The beautiful canopy above the pulpit, carved of English Oak, was also designed by Walter Bagot and carved by Norman, Turner and Nottage.  It was given by Sir Langdon Bonython in memory of his wife who died in 1924.

The Choir

The Choir refers to those seats and stalls where the choristers sit, and from where they lead the singing at Sunday services. As a part of the choir you will see the Canons’ stalls in the back row. In our diocese of Adelaide Canons are both clergy and lay people who are appointed to assist the Dean as he leads the cathedral’s ministry to the cathedral congregation, to the city of Adelaide and to the state of South Australia. The word Canon is derived from the Greek word kanon, a “measuring rod or rule.”  As part of the choir, and next to the lectern, you will also see the ornate seat with a canopy where the Dean sits for services. It has a carving of the Royal Coat of Arms. Opposite the Dean’s stall is the Precentor’s stall that bears the Coat of Arms of St Peter. Note the keys are inverted.

The choir, the Dean’s stall and Precentor’s stall are all made of English oak, carved by Noman, Turner and Nottage here in Adelaide.  They were also given by Sir Langdon Bonython in memory of his late wife.

The stained-glass windows in the Choir were designed by Cedar Prest, a contemporary South Australian stained-glass artist. The windows echo in vibrant colour the activities that go on beneath them. On the lectern side (“cantoris“) the choristers, in the cathedral’s former robes of blue, sing the offices, while on the pulpit side (“decani”), tuxedoed and T-shirted musicians glorify God on a variety of instruments including a bass drum sporting the symbol of St Peter.