[3]: 12:32  William Byrne & Sons of Dublin designed the cathedral to be basilican in form and renaissance in style.

Building began in March 1933 and the foundation stone was laid on 6 August of that year by Bishop Thomas Mulvany.

At the request of Pope Pius XI, it became the first cathedral in the world to be dedicated to Christ the King.

The principal figure is that of the saint in his apostolic mission, lifting the cross in a vigorous movement, in his other hand holding a torch.

He left Russia before the Bolsheviks seized power, and although he didn't contact her for 48 years, she remained the muse who haunted his imagination.