The Apostles (Elgar) many delays, Elgar finally started formal composition of the music in mid-December 1902. Composition of the work in vocal-score format was complete by the end of June 1903, with scoring complete on 17 August. "The Apostles "is a narrative work, dealing with the calling of the Apostles and their experiences of Jesus' preaching, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. "The Kingdom" would carry the story onward. Elgar was more interested in human motivations than philosophical underpinnings, and two of the most prominent characters in the work are the two sinners Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot. Elgar's conception outgrew the confines of
Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles the home of a Steiner school until 2002, when it was sold for redevelopment. During 2007 the space was run as a theatre and art venue by The Invisible Circus and Artspace Lifespace. Following this, the building fell into extensive disrepair. In May 2011, the site was purchased by Liberty Living - a student accommodation provider - who undertook extensive works to refurbish and re-purpose both the pro-cathedral building and the adjacent 'Upper School' building into student flats. Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles The Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles was the Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Bristol, England