St German’s Cathedral Church

St German, was a Celtic missionary who came to the Island, in the 4th Centaury. The original cathedral of St German, is inside the walls of Peel Castle and was built sometime in the 12th century, when St Patrick’s Isle was in the possession of Norse kings. The present building was constructed in 1879–84 to replace St Peter’s Church in Peel’s market place.

In 1895, the then Bishop, consecrated his chapel at Bishop’s Palace as a Pro-cathedral and instituted a chapter of canons, with himself as Dean, however following the sale of Bishop’s Court, in 1976, the diocese was left without a cathedral and so Kirk German, was made the new cathedral, on All Saint’s Day 1980.

The beautiful vaulted and barrelled ceiling reflects the fishing nature of Peel and is similar to the keeill of a boat. The Cathedral has one of the finest organs on the Island and very beautiful Victorian stained glass windows. The murals, either side of the main alter, are painted by John Millar Nicholson, depicting Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah.

The gardens outside the Cathedral, are a work in progress, opened in 2017 and representing various aspects of church life, on the Island.