BEAUTIFUL VOICES bass, tenor and alto blended yesterday with melodious tunes from a 20th century organ and other musical instruments at the Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Cathedral, in celebration of the church's 93rd anniversary.
The cathedral, at 1 Emerald Road, central Kingston, with entrances on North Street, was constructed in 1911 after the 1907 earthquake destroyed the original structure at Duke Street.
During the thanksgiving service to mark the anniversary, Father Kenneth Richards said that many persons seemed to be forgetting the blessings they had received as they preoccupied themselves with either science or psychology.
"We must be aware of the presence of God in the beauty of nature and all that happens in our lives," he said.
PERFORM WITH INTEGRITY, RESPECT
Father Richards said that public sector workers and other professionals should discharge their duties with integrity and respect. Noting that too often there was inconsistency in business dealings, he said, "This is a sad reality for a people that say is a Christian nation."
It was a time, however, to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the cathedral. Over the years, it had suffered many harsh weather conditions which displaced some of its distinct features, including wall paintings, but the 85-foot-tall domed structure with multi-chromatic glass windows at strategic points still towers as a monument to the community.
BYZANTINE DESIGN
New York architect Raymond F. Admiral had designed the Byzantine (revival type) cathedral with a seating capacity of 1,600 people at a cost of about 30,000 pounds more than nine decades ago.
Inscribed in the ceiling are the words, 'This is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of truth'.
The cathedral is now on a drive to raise US$2 million (J$120 million) for refurbishing and improving its landscape.
Among those at the service were Father Ted Dziak, chairman of St. George's College; Councillor Desmond McKenzie, Mayor of Kingston; Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe and Morin Seymour, executive director of the Kingston Restoration Company. The Eagle Marching Band provided entertainment following the service.
