If you have an exceptional building on your doorstep like Truro Cathedral, it’s sometimes easy to forget how precious it is.

Great buildings, like people, have their own unique character, but also like people, they are generally part of a family – the collected works of their architect. When we go on holiday, we can bump into these relatives in surprising places! 

Overlooking a sandy shore on the north wast coast is Cullercoats Bay.

Today it is a busy suburb of industrial Tyneside but, like many places in Cornwall, it was originally a fishing village.

Its picturesque seascape and big skies attracted well-to-do visitors and artists like Whistler and Turner in the 19th century.  

In 1872, the Duke of Northumberland built a seaside villa at Cullercoats, and then commissioned a prominent architect to build him a magnificent church nearby. 

That architect was John Loughborough Pearson. Originally from County Durham, his Gothic Revival-style buildings are some of the finest of the Victorian era and include both Brisbane Cathedral in Australia, our own Truro Cathedral and… St George’s, Cullercoats.  Truro Cathedral and St George’s Church have much in common.

The Duke of Cornwall (the future Edward VII) and the Duke of Northumberland laid their foundation stones in 1880 and 1882 respectively, and they share Loughborough’s signatures – beautiful vaulted ceilings, coloured marble floors and spires that can be seen for miles around. Can you identify which building is which, from the photos (answers at the bottom of the page)?

St George’s took only two years to build, and was dedicated in 1884, whereas Truro Cathedral is much bigger, and would only be completed in 1910, 13 years after Pearson’s death.

Both are irreplaceable – listed buildings by great architects are something that all of us can appreciate, whether they are vast like Truro Cathedral or on a much smaller scale like Cullercoats. 

In total, John Loughborough Pearson created or worked on 198 churches so there are plenty to look out for on our holidays this year. If you spot any more “lookalikes” why not share @trurocathedral and @trurovoice? Happy hunting!

ANSWERS

A and D are Truro Cathedral; B and C are St George’s Church, Cullercoats