been converted into the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, which has paintings on its walls. To the west of the chapel, behind the high altar, is a large reredos designed by Scott; this consists of a triptych containing paintings and carvings. The baptistry contains a central marble font, an altar with a reredos, and stained glass windows by Shrigley and Hunt. There is more stained glass by the same firm elsewhere in the cathedral, and other windows are by Hardman. Also in the church are monuments, one dating from about 1860 by Richard Westmacott, junior. The original organ in St Peter's was moved from the mission church in Dalton Square. This was replaced in 1889 by a new, three-manual organ by Henry Ainscough of Preston. Alterations were made to it in 1976 by Pendlebury of Cleveleys. As of 2012 it is being restored by Henry Willis and Sons of Liverpool. There is a ring of ten bells. Eight of these were cast in 1879 by John Warner and Sons, the other two in 1948 by Mears and Stainbank at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Assessment St Peter's was designated as a Grade II* listed building on 10 November 1994. Grade II* buildings are defined as being "particularly important buildings of more than special interest"; only 5.5% of the listed buildings are included in this grade. In the Buildings of England series, Hartwell and Pevsner express the opinion that the church is the "chef d'oeuvre" of Paley's works. They also describe the baptistry as being a "tour de force". In his book about the architectural practice of Sharpe, Paley and Austin, Brandwood expresses the opinion that the building is "Paley's masterwork as an independent church architect". Today The building is in active use as a Roman Catholic cathedral, which arranges Masses and other regular services, and organises concerts and other events. The cathedral is open daily to visitors, and arranges group and educational visits. Gallery See also Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire Listed buildings in Lancaster, Lancashire List of ecclesiastical works by E. G. Paley List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin References Citations Sources External links 19th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in the United Kingdom Churches in Lancaster, Lancashire Church buildings by E. G. Paley Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire Grade II* listed cathedrals Austin and Paley buildings Lancaster Roman Catholic churches in Lancashire Tourist attractions in Lancaster, Lancashire Roman