THE HIGH ALTAR was routinely used for the celebration of Holy Communion prior to the liturgical reforms of the late 20th century. The High Altar was designed by Walter Bagot (Cathedral Architect from 1907-1945) and installed in 1937.  It was paid for by subscription and is a memorial to William John Bussell, Archdeacon of the Broughton from 1903-1933. The original Altar that was designed by Edward Woods (Cathedral Architect from 1869-1915) was given to St Paul’s Church, Port Adelaide.

Set in the top of the Altar is a square of marble from the island of Iona in Scotland, that was brought by Bishop Robin in 1948.

THE REREDOS. Behind the High Altar is a large, ornate wooden screen called the reredos. It is well decorated and separates the main part of the cathedral from the Lady Chapel. The reredos is made of English Oak and is 10.4 metres high. It was designed by the English architect Thomas Henry Lyon and was built by the Herbert Read Company at St Sidwell’s Art Works Exeter under the supervision of Lyon. All the carving was done by hand by Nathaniel Hitch and Co. of London.

The reredos was given by Mrs Priscilla Simms as a memorial to her late husband, a cathedral warden, who died in May 1901.  The main framework of the reredos – with the main panels unpainted - was in place when the Lady Chapel was dedicated in April 1904 but was without the statues.  The statues came out to Adelaide separately from the main wooden panels, and had been coloured and gilded.  This prompted the move to have the main panels sent back to England for colouring and gilding.  The dedication of the completed reredos took place on 6 March 1910.

The figure in the central panel represents Christ in Glory. The four panels below it contain scenes from the life of St Peter. Around these panels are eighteen niches that contain coloured and gilded biblical figure and other saints who are significant for Christians. Perhaps you can find St George and the Dragon, St Andrew with his “X” shaped cross and the four angels at the very top – Uriel, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.