Modern cathedrals may lack the grandeur of former times, focussing on the functional aspect of a place of worship, though it should be borne in mind that many of the grand and ancient cathedrals of today were originally built to a much smaller plan, and have been successively extended and rebuilt over the centuries.
Some cathedrals were purpose-built as such, whilst others were formerly parochial, or parish churches, subsequently promoted in status due to ecclesiastical requirements such as periodic diocesan reorganisation.
Strictly speaking therefore, only those Christian denominations with an Episcopal polity possess cathedrals.
[1] Terms not covered in the above preamble include translated, which is the move of a bishop's seat from one location to another, moving cathedral status from the former church and bestowing it on the destination church, such as may occur in a diocesan or provincial re-organisation.
Download coordinates as: Architects Jeremiah McAuley, a native Belfast priest and John O'Neill Destroyed by fire in December 2009, then restored and reopened on 24 December 2014. pro-cathedral pro-cathedral built on the site of a Carmelite Priory pro-cathedral With some exceptions, these former cathedrals were established prior to the Reformation in Ireland and the subsequent transfer of Church assets to the Established church.