Any thing else to see?

Sunday, 27 June 2010 13:46

Wakefield - a Cathedral city

Wakefield Cathedral

The building of this (now) city-centre Cathedral began circa 1150. Originally it was the Parish Church but it was given Cathedral status in 1888. Many architects have been involved in the Cathedral's development over the history of the building. The most notable and influential will be familiar names to those who are church historians.

Sir Gilbert Scott (1857-74), rebuilt the tower and spire, external work and the nave. His son, John Oldrid Scot worked on the reredos and organ chamber.

The spire is the tallest in Yorkshire

The inside is deceiving as the nave stretches ahead but behind the high altar there is the "new" east end. John and son, Frank Loughborough Pearson (1888-1905) were responsible for this.

Looking down the nave

High Altar and reredos

Sir Ninian Comper designed the rood screen in 1950

Rood screen and chancel

More details of the architecture is on the Cathedral website - clickety click

More modern additions are the Cathedra, Treacy Hall and the linking offices. More work is planned for the future - clickety click

There are modern additions to the Cathedral services too. Yesterday we stayed for the Missa service - an informal service held monthly on a Saturday at 4.30pm. It is based on the Eucharist (Holy Communion) with music and movement around the "Stations" (eg Font, altar etc.) in the Cathedral.

The Church family is a small world as John realised that Jonathan Greener, the Dean of Wakefield Cathedral had been the Bishop's Chaplain in Truro, Cornwall! Sorry we  couldn't get to the Sunday service, Jonathan - none of the buses ran early enough.

PS - there is an excellent virtual tour of the Cathedral here - clickety click