The Last Morning of my Great Trip North

After a disappointing breakfast I have a last wander before my train at 1200 hours.  Above is the William Penny Alms Houses, see above.  Previously named Penny's Hospital, as hospices or work houses for the poor tended to be back in the day, the complex comprises eleven homes plus Warden’s accommodation.  It is situated in King Street in the heart of the small city.  Ten dwellings are suitable for single people, and one for a couple.  The larger one has a bedroom, sitting room, bathroom and kitchen, whilst the singles are ‘bedsit’ style, with separate kitchen and bathroom.

The central courtyard provides a pleasant garden which gives Penny’s Hospital a distinct community atmosphere.  A small chapel at the head of the courtyard completes the scene, and services are held at regular intervals throughout the year for residents, family and friends and Trustees.

Lancaster Charity runs the scheme and actually does what says on box, which is good in this day and age.  The Grade II* Listed almshouses were built in 1720, using a £700 endowment left by the former Mayor of Lancaster; one of the main streets also bears his name.

More sanity, see below

I buy a bunch of bananas and give them to a poor homeless man.  My karma feels good.
Can anyone expalin Bashful Alley?

Lancaster Cathedral, below, has an early modern look unusual for Catholic churches. Also known as The Cathedral Church of St Peter and Saint Peter's Cathedral, is in St Peter's Road. It was a Roman Catholic parish church until 1924, when it was elevated to the status of a cathedral. The cathedral is in active use, arranging services, concerts and other events, and is open to visitors. The building is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

Until the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Act in 1791 Lancaster's Roman Catholics met in a makeshift chapel in St Leonardsgate. Building the first Catholic church in the town began with the laying of the foundation stone for the Lancaster Catholic Mission in Dalton Square on 13 March 1798. The chapel was consecrated during the following year. By the middle of the 19th century, there was a need for a larger church. Land for this was purchased on a different site near to the mission church, and the parish church dedicated to Saint Peter was built. It was designed by the local architect E. G. Paley. Before the church was built, Paley had already designed schools, a convent, and a presbytery which were built on this land. Tenders for the church were invited in March 1857, the foundation stone was laid on 29 April, and the new church was consecrated on 4 October 1859 by Dr Alexander Goss, the bishop of Liverpool. The church and its associated buildings cost a total of £15,000 (£1,360,000 in 2015), of which £2,000 was bequeathed by Thomas Coulston. During future years, additions and alterations were made to the church by Paley and his future partner in the practice, Hubert Austin, and by his own son Henry Paley. These included the addition of a font in 1860, an organ gallery in 1888, chancel stalls in 1899, and a new baptistry in 1901. 

The golden jubilee of the church was celebrated in 1909, and a number of alterations were made under the direction of Giles Gilbert Scott. These included a new altar, replacement of the tiles on the floor by black and white marble, re-flooring of the nave, painting the walls, and replacing the pine benches by oak pews.  In 1924 the Diocese of Lancaster was created and the church was elevated to the status of a cathedral. The cathedra (bishop's throne) was placed in the chancel. When the centenary was celebrated in 1959, the pipe organ was refurbished, and the painted Stations of the Cross were replaced by a set of carvings. Since then, there have been further minor changes to the interior of the cathedral,[14] and in 1995 the east end was reordered by Francis Roberts.


The baptistry contains a central marble font, an altar with a reredos, and stained glass windows by Shrigley and Hunt. There is more stained glass by the same firm elsewhere in the cathedral, and other windows are by Hardman

In the stained glass window below, on the right we see Peter denying Christ.  Peter struggled on his spiritual path but persevered.  A message to persevere also comes from The Buddha. 

Originally a fisherman, Peter played a leadership role and was with Jesus during events witnessed by only a few apostles, such as the Transfiguration. According to the gospels, Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, and was part of Jesus's inner circle.  He thrice denied Jesus and wept bitterly once he realised his deed, and preached on the day of Pentecost.

According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero Augustus Caesar. It is traditionally held that he was crucified upside down at his own request, since he saw himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. Tradition holds that he was crucified at the site of the Clementine Chapel.

I receive a depressing and angry email from my niece whilst in the Cathedral.  I manage to reply compassionately.  I have not heard from her since which is good as contact helps neither of us. 

At the station there is service with a smile for dogs and old ladies.  
I have an hazzle free journey home to my lovely husband and rabbit.