Ayr Cathedral

The Catholic population in Ayrshire was growing and was ministered to by visiting priests and in 1827 the new St Margarets church was officially opened. Renovated 1999, it became a cathedral in 2007. As you pass through the glass doors you are immediately aware of the fine stained glass windows through which streams of light penetrate the whole interior of the church. The first windows on your left and right are of Celtic Design. These windows presented a particular problem for the designer Susan Bradbury as they are positioned behind the heavy structure of the gallery. The gallery obscures the central third of the design, therefore the artist chose a repeat pattern so that the mind automatically fills in the hidden parts. The pattern work is in the form of Celtic knots which shade from green to blue to represent the relationship between heaven and earth and the unbroken love that God has with everyone. The Celtic theme refers to the history of the congregation, originating in Ireland, now firmly rooted in Scotland, and because it has no beginning and no end this is also a symbol of eternity. The second window on your left is called Divine Light. This window shimmers with all the colours of the spectrum and incorporates ideas such as Let there be Light, The Light of the World. On the right hand side of the nave the Water of Life window reminds us that Ayr has always depended on water. The River Ayr and the coast have been important for trade and fishing.