The Patron of the Cathedral, St German of Man (not to be confused with Germanus of Auxerre), was a Celtic missionary and holy man who lived from about 410 to 474.
St German's Day is celebrated each year on 13 July.

The original cathedral of St German was inside the walls of Peel Castle and was built sometime in the 12th century when St Patrick's Isle was in the possession of Norse kings.
At that time the church followed the Sarum Rite, prevalent throughout much of the British Isles.
Around 1333 the Lords of Man refortified St Patrick's Isle and occupied the church as a fortress.
In 1392 William Le Scroop repaired the Cathedral.

The building fell into ruin in the 18th century.
After a considerable period of debate over who owned the ruins and site, it was decided not to rebuild that cathedral.
The present building was constructed in 1879–84 to replace St Peter's Church in Peel's market place.
In 1895, the bishop consecrated his chapel at the bishop's palace as pro-cathedral and instituted a chapter of canons with himself as Dean; by 1960, St Nicholas' chapel was still pro-cathedral (or "Cathedral Chapel").
Bishopscourt's sale in 1976 left the diocese without a cathedral, and forced the issue of choosing a new cathedral; after public consultation, Kirk German Parish Church was so designated, and officially made the cathedral in a service on All Saints' Day (1 November 1980).
The arrangement (bishop as dean) persisted even after the consecration of the new cathedral.
The bishop was later described by John Betjeman as "that luckless Bishop whose cathedral is a beautiful ruin of green slate and red sandstone on an islet overlooking Peel".

The cathedral has a Dean and Chapter.
Until 15 October 2011, the Bishop of Sodor and Man was Dean ex officio, but on that date the vicar of the parish became Dean ex officio; this is thought to have been the historical arrangement from the 12th century until the late 19th century.
The chapter consists of the Archdeacon of Man ex officio and four canons who are all parochial clergy in the Diocese.

St German's Cathedral is the mother Church of the Diocese of Sodor and Man, which today consists of only the Isle of Man.

In July 2015, Anne, Princess Royal attended a thanksgiving service at Peel Cathedral as Patron of the development campaign; the service also marked the rebranding of Peel Cathedral as "Cathedral Isle of Man".
The Patron of the Cathedral, St German of Man (not to be confused with Germanus of Auxerre), was a Celtic missionary and holy man who lived from about 410 to 474. St German's Day is celebrated each year on 13 July.
The original cathedral of St German was inside the walls of Peel Castle and was built sometime in the 12th century when St Patrick's Isle was in the possession of Norse kings. At that time the church followed the Sarum Rite, prevalent throughout much of the British Isles. Around 1333 the Lords of Man refortified St Patrick's Isle and occupied the church as a fortress. In 1392 William Le Scroop repaired the Cathedral.
The building fell into ruin in the 18th century. After a considerable period of debate over who owned the ruins and site, it was decided not to rebuild that cathedral. The present building was constructed in 1879–84 to replace St Peter's Church in Peel's market place. In 1895, the bishop consecrated his chapel at the bishop's palace as pro-cathedral and instituted a chapter of canons with himself as Dean; by 1960, St Nicholas' chapel was still pro-cathedral (or "Cathedral Chapel"). Bishopscourt's sale in 1976 left the diocese without a cathedral, and forced the issue of choosing a new cathedral; after public consultation, Kirk German Parish Church was so designated, and officially made the cathedral in a service on All Saints' Day (1 November 1980). The arrangement (bishop as dean) persisted even after the consecration of the new cathedral. The bishop was later described by John Betjeman as "that luckless Bishop whose cathedral is a beautiful ruin of green slate and red sandstone on an islet overlooking Peel".
The cathedral has a Dean and Chapter. Until 15 October 2011, the Bishop of Sodor and Man was Dean ex officio, but on that date the vicar of the parish became Dean ex officio; this is thought to have been the historical arrangement from the 12th century until the late 19th century. The chapter consists of the Archdeacon of Man ex officio and four canons who are all parochial clergy in the Diocese.
St German's Cathedral is the mother Church of the Diocese of Sodor and Man, which today consists of only the Isle of Man.
In July 2015, Anne, Princess Royal attended a thanksgiving service at Peel Cathedral as Patron of the development campaign; the service also marked the rebranding of Peel Cathedral as "Cathedral Isle of Man".
Peel Cathedral