[1] As for the Northern Tablelands region, European settlement came as early as 1832 as pastoralists searched beyond the colonial boundaries for new land on which to run their stock.

[1] Hunt's original concept and alternative design, both stone and in the Anglo-French style, were largely in keeping with traditional church architecture of the period.

With his limited experience but keen interest, Turner worked closely with Hunt to jointly design a cathedral that was "unlike no other (sic) Gothic building that existed in Australia in the 1870s".

[2][1] Hunt was a prominent early exponent of the Arts and Crafts architectural style in Australia and had an existing interest in the decorative potential of using expressed but unadorned materials and Turner encouraged this departure from the traditional form of church buildings.

Brick was selected and, although generally considered a common material used due to economic necessity rather than choice, Hunt devised a concept that skilfully incorporated intricate, elaborate and imaginative layering of patterned courses with a flying buttress, arching, toothing and moulded brickwork.

[1] Set on a generously landscaped corner site, the cathedral was built of locally sourced "Armidale Blue" brick from Saumarez, New England granite from Uralla and timber from the district.

[4] Although Hunt's final design for the site incorporated a baptistry, chapel, extension of the sanctuary and central roof lantern dome, most plans remained unfulfilled due to the constrained financial position of the diocese.

[1] The Hunter pipe organ underwent major repair works in 1978 due to water damage from overflowing roof drainage.

[1] This delicate but complex small-scale cathedral was completed in 1875 and demonstrates Hunt's architectural style in its imaginative design and complicated but skilfully used pointing, layered courses, patterned decorations and arches and toothed lancet windows.

[1] A broad and low proportioned building, the cathedral is finished with custom-made furnishings and ornaments designed by Bishop Turner, built and shipped from England.

With its arched windows and gable roof (once slate but now tile), the two-storey deanery building uses the same materials and architectural design points as the cathedral.

[1] When the cathedral was finished in 1938 with the construction of the square tower built to Hun'ts design, the Armidale Blue brick had been exhausted by this time and a similar material was used.

[1] In addition to the deanery, the historic Anglican cathedral precinct also includes the St Peters Church Hall, Diocesan Registry, bookshop and surrounding landscaping and fencing.

[1] Built and opened for worship in 1875, the cathedral was a collaborative design by the prominent architect John Horbury Hunt and Bishop James Francis Turner.

The cathedral design used expressed and unadorned brick (a common and under appreciated material at the time) to create layers of patterned courses with a single flying buttress, arching, toothing and moulded brickwork.

[1] Anglican Cathedral Church of St Peter Apostle and Martyr Precinct was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 12 March 2014 having satisfied the following criteria.

The Anglican Cathedral Church of St Peter Apostle and Martyr Precinctis of state heritage significance for its association with Bishop James Francis Turner and John Horbury Hunt.

[1] While not a large building, this cathedral is the first significant brick church construction of John Horbury Hunt and is regarded as being one of his finest works.

Hunt was a prominent early exponent of the Arts and Crafts architectural style in Australia and his use of expressed common brick, by choice rather than economic necessity, was unique for the time.

The intricate and elaborate detail of the cathedral design, and his celebration of the structural and decorative nature of brickwork, has become a defining characteristic of Hunt's architectural career.

The Anglican Cathedral Church of St Peter Apostle and Martyr Precinct is of state heritage significance for its social value to the community and congregation of Armidale and the wider Northern Tablelands district.