One of Bishop O'Leary's first preoccupations was the recon- struction of the recently—bumed cathedral which had been complet- ed and solemnly dedicated only six years earlier. As much as he might have wished to distance himself from this enormous project, he was unable to do so and from archives correspondence it is clear that he took a very personal interest and active role in the rebuild— ing efforts. The disastrous fire of March 7, little more than two months before his consecration, had reduced the majestic cathedral to rubble with the exception of the exterior walls and solid facade. Nothing inside was saved. Within a few days, however, a com- mittee was formed and the decision taken to rebuild the cathedral to the original plans. Offers of worship space came from a number of Charlottetown congregations, but in the end the former Zion Presbyterian church on Richmond Street was purchased and used as a pro-cathedral.

Upon careful examination following the fire it was learned that not only the facade but also the remaining walls were safe and sound enough to use again for the new church. For extra rein- forcement, a new brick wall was constructed inside the existing walls which were of Miramichi freestone atop a foundation of Wallace stone. A young architect, J .M. Hunter from Scotland, was hired. He arranged the exterior of the new cathedral essen~ tially the same as the old with the exception of slightly length— ened steeples and the addition of a completely new two—storey sacristy attached to the building's west end. By Christmas of 1914 the cathedral basement was ready for worship, with the Richmond Street building now available for use as a hall.

The young Scottish architect designed a completely new interi— or, his choice of style being English Gothic of the 13th and 14th centuries. In this it is clear that he was strongly influenced by St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York for the similarities of the two inte— riors is striking. The rebuilt cathedral, the fourth on the same spot, is 271 feet in length and 90 feet in width, with the front spires ris— ing 200 feet. It was solemnly opened in September, 1919. Some features in the new church not found in the burned one include a

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