The building of St Peter's Cathedral was begun in 1869. The architect was E.J. Woods, basing his design on original plans drawn by the well-known English architect William Butterfield. Woods chose local sandstone rather than Butterfield's original polychrome brickwork. Many people gave money for the completion of the cathedral, which progressed in several stages over almost 40 years. One significant donor was the Presbyterian, Robert Barr Smith of Torrens Park. In 1900 Barr Smith gave three windows by James Powell of London (to the designs of Morris and Co.) replacing the older windows shown here, having shortly before given a substantial amount of money for the completion of the towers and spires. The original sanctuary shown here was completely changed in 1901 with the erection of a 34 foot decorated screen behind the altar, given in memory of Alfred Simms by his widow. Many of the decorations seen in this photograph are incorporated into the present Lady Chapel of the cathedral.