On the right-hand side as you look towards the High Altar is a very large, canopy-covered seat. This is the cathedra- the Bishop’s chair, symbolising the teaching responsibility and authority of the bishop. The word derives from the Greek καθέδρα (Latin, cathedra) meaning “chair” or “seat”. This is the reason that this large church building is called a cathedral.

The prayer desk bears the arms of the Diocese of Adelaide on one side and the arms of the Bonython family (who donated the Choir Stalls in 1927) on the other.

The cathedra was previously located in the Choir where the Dean’s stall now stands. The seat and prayer desk from this location were relocated to a new platform and canopy in 1992 when the responsibility for ministry in the Cathedral was transferred from the Bishop to the Dean. The new design was prepared by Susan Scrymgour of Woods Bagot Architects and the new woodwork was made locally by Panczak and Willenberg. 

There is one other chair in the Cathedral which may have been used as the cathedra in the past. Near the Nave Altar there is a large and imposing chair in dark stained wood which appears in 19th century photographs. This may be the chair which is recorded as having been given to the Cathedral at the time of its dedication on 1 January 1878.