 His relationships with wife Julia (Loretta Young) and their young daughter (Karolyn Grimes) are strained by his focus on the cathedral.Everyone, except for Henry, is charmed by Dudley, even the non-religious Professor Wutheridge (Monty Woolley).Dudley persuades the wealthy parishioners, particularly widowed Agnes Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), to contribute needed funds, but not to build the cathedral.