From the Conserving St David's Cathedral brochure...
We have a living cathedral
St David's Cathedral is a Cathedral church. Consecrated in 1874 St David's is the Bishop of Tasmania's principal place of teaching. It is a Cathedral because it is the place where the Bishop's Cathedra or seat is placed. It is also the venue for great occasions of Diocese, City and State.
The developing mission of St David's is expressed in the four words - Cathedral City Creative Christ. The building sits on the Corner of Macquarie and Murray Street and forms one quadrant of the fi nest Georgian streetscape in Australia. On the pinnacles of each gable is a quatrefoil, repeated on the extremities of the large crucifix of the rood screen which dominates the sanctuary. The quatrefoil reminiscent of the four points of the compass reminds us that the Cathedral's mission is a universal mission bringing the love of God in Christ to Hobart and far beyond.
The Cathedral is a living Church with music of the highest quality. The St David's Choir offers sacred music both classical and contemporary in worship and in concert. The St David's Organ, considered one of the superior organs of Australia, is played by quality organists. The acoustics and 650 seating capacity demand frequent concerts and appearances of The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Harpist Christina Sonneman, massed military bands and in 2008 a planned visit by the Royal Copenhagen Choir.
St David's is known for its contemporary Anglican liturgy. Linked with England's Coventry Cathedral, the Dean and associate clergy are committed to creative liturgies that lift the heart and proclaim the Biblical faith as our society, increasingly dissatisfied with a purely materialistic world view, seeks a sense of the transcendent and apprehension of a living spirituality.
This desire for a living spirituality is reflected in the Cathedral's commitment to serve the City, State and community. In services from those for the Opening of Law Term, the Opening of Parliament, Heart Foundation, The Cancer Council Tasmania, Battle of Britain, Anzac Day, Hutchins and Collegiate Schools and as a venue for State Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools the tranquillity and peace is often suspended with laughter, tears and memories.
The Memorial Service for the Port Arthur Tragedy is remembered in the Hope Chapel. And the memorial to the last Anzac Alexander Campbell (died on the 16th May 2002, aged 103) who was buried from the Cathedral is a place of pilgrimage.
For about 250 Hobart Anglicans St David's is their City Church. Here they come for worship, to link in with a faith community, to learn from the Bible of the love and grace of God and to equip them as servants of Christ to serve Him in Church and community. The values taught are those of Christ - peace, justice, freedom of the oppressed, relief from poverty, good stewardship of the creation and the value of life.
Above all the Cathedral proclaims the Living God who is rich in mercy.