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English Cathedrals: The 20 Best Cathedrals In England

The Most Famous & Beautiful English Cathedrals

England is home to a splendid collection of religious buildings, but none are more impressive than its famous cathedrals, one of the largest draws for visitors. Here then are the best cathedrals in England for you to enjoy and, if you are lucky, visit…

As well as hosting the weddings and funerals of the kings and queens of England, the best English cathedrals, as well as smaller churches, chapels, and crypts have been featured in famous works of art and literature as well as in popular Hollywood film franchises.

Notably, the incredible Gloucester Cathedral was featured as a set in several of the Harry Potter films and is high on the list to visit for any Harry Potter fans.

Gloucester’s Famous Cathedral

England’s finest churches are typically in Norman or Gothic architecture, but a few are more modern, featuring works of modern art or neoclassical architecture.

Visitors may also enjoy free choral performances at several of these sites, or view important sacred and historic relics, like two of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, which turned 800 years old in 2015. These copies can be viewed at Salisbury Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral.

In addition to the rich history and culture, you’ll find while visiting these important sites; the cathedrals can be a wonderful place to dine.

Within the crypt, near the magnificent tombs of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, the café and restaurant at St. Paul’s Cathedral specializes in English cuisine, including locally-sourced honey from bees in Regent’s Park.

We’ve assembled a list of our favorite English cathedrals–you’re sure to be fascinated by history, culture, and care taken to build and preserve these pillars of the community.

The Best Cathedrals In England

Table of Contents

1. York Minster

We’ve featured York on this site several times before, and there’s so much to love about the place but it is the Minster which is the city’s most important cultural site.

Towering over the city, the former priory (minsters are actually former monasteries) can be seen from miles away and is a worthy start to our list.

The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, more commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, and is one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe.

2. Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury is home to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest office in the Church of England and the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The cathedral, which is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England, is also the scene of one of the most infamous assassinations in English history – that of Thomas Beckett by the followers of his adversary, Henry II in 1120.

Aside from the cathedral, its home, the pretty town of Canterbury is well worth strolling around.

We’ve done a separate post on Canterbury Cathedral (click on link).

3. Liverpool Catholic Cathedral

As the Liverpool folk song goes: “If you want a cathedral, we’ve got one to spare…” Liverpool is home to both an Anglican and a Roman Catholic cathedral, which owes to a large Irish population.

The Catholic cathedral is of modern construction and was finished in 1967 and is a proud symbol of the sectarian harmony achieved in a city with a long history of Catholic-Protestant tension.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Liverpool and features a circular, modern, yet neoclassical design.

4. Christchurch Cathedral of Oxford

This unusual cathedral is also part Chrischurch college founded by Cardinal Wolsey back in Henry VIII’s reign. It’s one of the 40 or so Oxford colleges, but the only one to house a cathedral.

The nave, choir, main tower, and transepts are of late Norman architecture. The cathedral also features Perpendicular style architecture and a large rose window.

5. Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral has an interesting history.

The original cathedral was bombed during the second world war, resulting in its near complete destruction.

The community of Coventry set about building a replacement building during the 1960s, and the resulting modern design is a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Definitely worth a visit.

The site now contains both the hollow ruins of the medieval-era building and the modern place of worship.

6. St. Paul’s Cathedral

The present cathedral, the masterpiece of Britain’s most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth cathedral to stand on the site.

The building was built between 1675 and 1710 after the previous building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

The present day St. Paul’s saw the famous wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, which was the first wedding of an heir to the throne performed in the cathedral for 480 years, with the last being the marriage of Prince Arthur to Catherine of Aragon in 1501.

7. Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is famous as a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.

Construction began in 1093 and was largely completed within 40 years, although work and restoration has been ongoing.

Even today, a skilled team of craftsman continue to care for and maintain the building.

The cathedral is on the Durham peninsula, high above the woodlands and riverbanks–a dramatic setting for a site that boasts some of the most intact surviving monastic buildings in England.

8. Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral was completed at Old Sarum in 1092 under the first Bishop of Salisbury, and is a stunning example of early English architecture.

The cathedral has the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom, and visitors can take the “Tower Tour” where the interior of the hollow spire, with its ancient wood scaffolding, can be viewed.

The cathedral also has the largest cloister and the largest cathedral close in England and contains the world’s oldest working clock (circa 1386 AD).

The cathedral also has the best of the surviving four copies of the Magna Carta.

9. Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship continuously for over 1,300 years since Osric, an Anglo-Saxon prince, founded a religious house on the site in 678-9 AD.

Since, the site and Cathedral have seen important historical figures crowned and buried. Henry III was crowned at Gloucester Cathedral, and Edward II was buried in the cathedral.

Gloucester Cathedral is filled with Romanesque, English Gothic, and Gothic architecture and is a must-see ancient house of worship.

The cathedral was used extensively in the Harry Potter movies, with parts of it doubling as Hogwarts.

We’ve done separate post on Gloucester Cathedral (click on link).

10. Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, with the longest nave and greatest overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.

Winchester Cathedral has ancient roots; in 635 AD, Cynegils, king of the West Saxons, was baptized on the site.

Later, this son Cenwalh built the first Christian church in Winchester.

The small, cross-shaped church became known as Old Minster, and visitors can still see where it stood. The site is outlined in red brick just north of the present Cathedral.

11. Ely Cathedral

When Ely Cathedral was built, the town around it was just a small settlement. The cathedral itself has it’s origins in 672 AD, when St. Etheldreda built an abbey church. The present building dates back to 1083.

Architecturally, the cathedral is outstanding due to scale and stylistic details. The most famous features is the central octagonal tower with a lantern.

This creates a spectacular internal space as well as a unique exterior landmark.

12. Truro Cathedral

Located in Cornwall, Truro Cathedral was built between 1880 and 1910 in a Gothic Revival design. It is one of only three cathedrals in England with three spires.

Inside, the Father Willis Organ, built in 1887, is widely regarded as one of the finest instruments in the country.

Truro Cathedral is also the first cathedral to be built on a new site in England since Salisbury Cathedral in 1220.

13. Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral was complete by 1400, and features an early set of misericords, an astronomical clock, and the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England.

Misericords are small wooden shelves on the underside of folding seats, which were installed to provide a little comfort to a person who needed to stand for long periods of prayer.

14. Peterborough Cathedral

Peterborough Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, is dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the three high gables of the famous West Front.

The cathedral is known for its imposing early English Gothic façade. This has three enormous arches and is without architectural precedent.

The exterior is slightly asymmetrical, owing to the incomplete second tower of the façade.

Peterborough Cathedral is also the burial place of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife and queen of Henry VIII, and was the original burial place of Mary, Queen of Scots.

15. Norwich Cathedral

Construction on Norwich Cathedral began in 1096, constructed originally out of flint and mortar, but aced with a cream colored Caen limestone. The cathedral was completed in 1145. The Norman lead-topped wooden spire is still visible today.

Norwich is the most complete Norman Cathedral in England and one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture.

In recent years, the cathedral’s popularity has soared thanks to a pair of peregrine falcons. Today, the falcon pair and their chicks remain on a nesting platform. Visitors can get an up-close view of the falcons from an observation point within the close.

16. Wells Cathedral

The Wells Cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490, replacing an earlier church built on the same site in 705. It’s moderately sized, but has been described as “unquestionably one of the most beautiful” and “the most poetic” of English cathedrals.

In the north transept is the Wells Cathedral Clock, an astronomical clock from about 1325. This is the second oldest working clock in England.

17. Lincoln Cathedral

The Lincoln Cathedral was built between 1088 and continued throughout the medieval period. Reputedly, it was the tallest building in the world from 1311-1549 until the central spire collapsed and was not rebuilt.

Lincoln Cathedral is also one of the few English cathedrals to be built from locally sourced stone. It also has a unique legend associated with one of its carvings: the Imp.

According to the 14th-century legend, two imps were causing mayhem in the cathedral. An angel appeared and ordered them to stop, but one imp climbed a stone pillar and threw rocks at the angel. The angel turned the imp on the pillar to stone, allowing the second to escape.

18. St. Alban’s Cathedral

The cathedral was probably founded in the 8th century, but the present building is of Norman architecture and was probably built in the 11th century. The building also shows signs of Gothic and 19th century additions.

The cathedral is named for St. Alban, a Romano-British citizen living in the valley below the site of the current cathedral. He harbored a fugitive priest and was converted. When authorities came to arrest the priest, Alban allowed the priest to escape and was taken in his place. He proclaimed his new faith and was martyred.

The site of his execution became a place of pilgrimage, and the shrine dedicated to Alban, as well as some of the original relics of the saint’s body, are still within the cathedral.

19. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

The second of Liverpool’s cathedrals is based on a design by Giles Gilbert Scott, and is the longest cathedral in the world with a total external length of 207 yards.

Like its Catholic counterpart, the Anglican cathedral is fairly modern, with the founding stone laid by King Edward VII in 1904 and the completion of the building attended by Queen Elizabeth II in 1978.

The cathedral is home to “The Welcoming Christ”, a large bronze sculpture by Dame Elisabeth Frink. The sculpture was installed over the outside of the west door in 1993.

20. Southwark Cathedral

Southwark Cathedral has been a place of worship for more than 1,000 years, but was only named a cathedral in 1905. The present building retains the basic form of the Gothic structure built between 1220 and 1420, although the nave is late 19th century.

Notably, the cathedral is home to a large stained glass window dedicated to William Shakespeare and depicts scenes from this plays. At the base of the window is an alabaster statue representing the playwright reclining and holding a quill.

And that wraps up our list of 20 best cathedrals in England! Let me know which ones you end up visiting!

Top 10 Cathedrals in England, Scotland, and Wales

Far from your average medieval church, the most exquisite spiritual centers in England, Scotland, and Wales are a testament to the imagination and meticulous craftsmanship of mankind.

These amazing structures can be found in every corner of Britain. Though difficult to narrow down to only 10, I managed a list of the very best cathedrals in Britain based on historical significance, aesthetic beauty, and architectural scale.

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#1) Canterbury Cathedral, England

Magnificent is the only word to describe this stunning cathedral. Nestled in the small walled city of Canterbury in southeast England, this church is a true wonder. Canterbury is one of the oldest churches in England and serves as the official seat of the Church of England.

The church was originally founded by St. Augustine on a mission trip for Pope Gregory the Great in 597. Augustine’s original building was extensively rebuilt and enlarged by the Saxons, and now lies beneath the floor of the modern nave. The cathedral was then completely rebuilt by the Normans in 1070 following a major fire.

Although the church has seen many additions over the last nine hundred years, parts of the quire and some of the stained glass windows date from early as the 12th century. Today, Canterbury Cathedral sees nearly 2,000 services held each year and still stands a towering testament to the power of religion in England’s early history.

#2) St. Paul’s Cathedral, England

Built by one of Britain’s most famous architects, Sir Christopher Wren, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an architectural marvel, and stands as one of London’s most iconic buildings. The site of the present cathedral has housed a church dedicated to St. Paul for over 1,400 years. The present building was built between 1675 and 1710, and serves the city of London as its Cathedral Church of the Diocese of London.

St. Paul is best known for its iconic dome, one of the largest in the world, which dominates the London skyline. Notable highlights of the cathedral include the large underground crypt, which houses some of the nation’s greatest heroes including Admiral Lord Nelson, The Duke of Wellington, and the famous architect of the building himself, Sir Christopher Wren.

Tip: As part of your visit to the cathedral, you should climb to the top of the dome for unmatched panoramic views of downtown London.

The Guidester Difference: Your personal travel guide would ensure you knew that climbing the dome at St. Paul’s for stellar views of London is a far better option than the London Eye – you’ll save time, money, and get a better vantage point!

#3) St. Giles Cathedral, Scotland

The High Kirk of Edinburgh serves as the official principal place of worship for the Church of Scotland. There has been a site of worship here for over 900 years, with the present building owing pieces to different historical periods from the 13th through the 19th centuries. Constant adding and reconstruction has produced one of the most iconic buildings in Scotland, and one of the best in Edinburgh.

The cathedral’s unique spire, large frontal stained glass windows, and general demeanor stands beautifully apart yet seems so right at place within the cityscape.

#4) Salisbury Cathedral, England

Officially referred to as the Cathedral of Saint Mary, this Anglican cathedral is a beautiful testament to early English architecture and stems deep back into English history. Standing at over 400 ft tall, the cathedral’s spire stands as the tallest in the United Kingdom.

The cathedral also encompasses Britain’s largest cloister, contains the worlds oldest clock (circa 1386) and the best-preserved copy of the Magna Carta. Not to mention the entire structure was built in just 38 years.

An absolutely stunning structure, both inside and out, this wonder of Britain should be on the must-see list of any tour around the south of England.

#5) Lincoln Cathedral, England

This stunning structure was once the tallest building in the world, and from the early 1300s until 1549, stood alone from all others in the world. Lincoln Cathedral is one of the best cathedrals simply because it so unique.

Often most cathedrals confer to the ‘Canterbury Archetype’, consisting of the standard long nave with crossing apes making the symbol of the cross. Lincoln’s Norman and Gothic combination of architectural styles spanning over centuries resulted in one of the most unique in Europe.

Like many of its contemporaries, the cathedral houses important historical works such one of the four copies of the Magna Carta, and texts from Saint Bede.

Tip: Across from the cathedral is Lincoln castle, which is a fun visit and will give you the very best place in the city to get great pictures of the cathedral.

#6) Winchester Cathedral, England

Sitting in the heart of the historic town of Winchester, this magnificent Church of England Cathedral stretches back fifteen centuries into English history. Winchester was once the seat of the Anglo-Saxon monarchs and thus placed Winchester cathedral at the very center of English spiritual life.

With the coming of William the Conquer, the already five hundred-year-old cathedral found new life and began to take on the present form we see today. Along the cathedral’s rich and integral historical significance, the church has the largest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.

Tip: Among the many great treasures housed in Winchester you will find Triforium Gallery, displaying precious works of art, and the Winchester Bible, the largest and finest of all the 12th century English bibles. Winchester Cathedral and the surrounding sleepy little town are absolutely worth the journey on your tour of southern England.

#7) St. David’s Cathedral, Wales

St. David’s lies in a small town of the same name, which lies on the most westerly coast of Wales, offering revelers a chance to awe at the surrounding natural beauty. By the 8th century, St. David’s already had enjoyed such a prominent spiritual force in Britain that the Wessex King Alfred once called upon aid from the monastic community during his holdout against the Vikings raids.

The present building was begun 1181, but not long after completion and throughout its life the church saw devastation after devastation, including the collapse of a central tower and subsequent earthquakes. Culminating in the cathedral’s misfortunes was the wrath brought by Oliver Cromwell and his forces. The historic building was largely destroyed, not finding restoration until the late 18th century.

#8) St. Magnus Cathedral, Scotland

Built for the Norse Earls of Orkney in the far north of Scotland, St. Magnus Cathedral takes the cake on the most historically romantic and poetic. Red sandstone, quarried from nearby Eday island, it stands out as a healthy reprieve from the otherwise green and blue dominated landscape.

The cathedral itself is a fine example of typical Norman architecture, studded with large pillars and many small archways. Found in a small cavity during renovation in the early 20th century. the relics of St. Magnus forever rest within the cathedral he founded. Across from the cathedral lies the Bishops Palace, where the local elite Bishops lived and presided over their church. The historic building will be a can’t miss spot as the island of Kirkwall is quite small with only a handful of major historical attractions.

Tip: Make sure to watch the film chronicling the building and tantalizing history of the majestic cathedral.

#9) Durham Cathedral, England

Durham Cathedral is one of the great buildings of Europe that captures a thousand years of British political, social, and religious history. Built in the Romanesque style between 1093 and 1133, it remains a place of worship and pilgrimage and an important visitor attraction.

Durham Cathedral was to be entirely made of stone from the outset which was unusual for the time when wood was often used. T hat was a big deal as no one in Europe had truly mastered stone architecture since the fall of the Roman Empire. In fact, it is the oldest surviving building with a stone vaulted ceiling of such a large scale.

Highlights include the 12th-century Galilee Chapel with its original medieval wall paintings, the towering sandstone pillars in the Nave, the stunning Rose Window, and the medieval Cloister which featured in the first two Harry Potter films.

Tip: Don’t miss climbing the Cathedral’s central tower where visitors can walk up the 325 steps and enjoy beautiful views over historic Durham City and surrounding countryside. If you’re not feeling up to the main tower the northwest tower is a gentler climb at only 137 steps, and offers spectacular views over the world heritage site towards Durham Castle.

#10) Wells Cathedral, England

This romantic cathedral set in the Somerset countryside serves as the seat for the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Wells Cathedral is unique in Britain for the fact that it was the first to be built in the Gothic style, unlike most other British cathedrals which were built during the Norman period. The present building has undergone many extensions and renovations since its consecration in 1239, but stands largely original to the medieval period.

As there is abundance of gorgeous cathedrals in England, Scotland, and Wales, we chose these ten for their architectural beauty, historical significance, and overall charm. The two most glaring omissions here are Westminster Abbey and Bath Abbey. Both of these spiritual centers are spectacular, but don’t qualify as cathedrals as they don’t serve a Bishop and as a result could not make the list.

Church of England

Last updated 2011-06-30

An explanation of the Church of England, established or state church in England and part of the worldwide Anglican Communion; its structure, history and current issues.

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History and role

The Church of England is part of the Anglican Communion, which is a worldwide family of churches in more than 160 different countries. On any one Sunday more than a million people attend Church of England services, making it the largest Christian denomination in the country.

The Established Church

The Church of England is the established church, meaning, amongst other things:

History

The Church of England traces its roots back to the early church, but its specifically Anglican identity and its links to the State date back to the Reformation.

Henry VIII started the process of creating the Church of England after his split with the Pope in the 1530s. Henry was anxious to ensure a male heir after his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, had borne him only a daughter. He wanted his marriage annulled in order to remarry. In 1534 after several attempts to persuade the Pope to grant an annulment, Henry passed the Act of Succession and then the Act of Supremacy. These recognised that the King was «the only supreme head of the Church of England called Anglicana Ecclesia». Henry adopted the title given to him by the Pope in 1521, that of Defender of the Faith.

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Role of the Monarch

Today the Monarch retains the title Defender of the Faith and is still the Supreme Governor of the Church. He or she has to:

Legislative role

The Church of England also has a law-making role in Britain. Twenty-six bishops (including the two Archbishops) sit in the House of Lords and are known as the Lords Spiritual. They are thought to bring a religious ethos to the secular process of law.

However, in an increasingly multi-cultural society, questions are being asked as to whether that role needs to be specifically fulfilled by Church of England Bishops. Future reform of the House of Lords could see the Lords Spiritual made up of a variety of Christian denominations and other faiths to reflect the religious make-up of Britain.

Civic duties

The Church of England, as the established church, fulfils a civic responsibility too. Its bishops and priests are responsible for performing state weddings and funerals, acts of remembrances, memorial services as well as grand occasions like the coronation. After events like the Gulf War or major disasters, the country ‘comes together’ to mourn under the spiritual guidance of the Church of England.

In recent years, such occasions have become more ecumenical and multi-faith as the Church of England acknowledges Britain’s changing religious landscape.

Hierarchy, beliefs and worship

Hierarchy

There are 43 dioceses in England covering the two provinces of Canterbury and York, plus the Diocese in Europe, with chaplaincies from the Arctic Circle to the Canaries. Each diocese has a bishop and usually at least one suffragan or assistant bishop. Each diocese is split into archdeaconries run by archdeacons. They are responsible for the administration of that part of the diocese. Each archdeaconry is split up into deaneries, which is a collection of parishes.

The parish is the heart of the Church of England. Each parish is overseen by a parish priest, usually called a vicar or rector. Sometimes they are assisted by a curate or deacon or parish worker. The latter is a lay post.

Parishes

Each parish church is run by the priest in collaboration with the PCC or Parochial Church Councils. This group is usually made up of the congregation but is open to anyone on the electoral roll. It, along with the bishop or other patron, appoints the priest. It also decides on the style of services and maintains the church buildings.

The parish structure means that the church is there for everyone. Ideally, everyone in England has a parish priest to whom they can turn. Everyone lives in a parish. This means it’s an organisation for everyone, not just believers.

Cathedrals

Each diocese has a Cathedral which is the ‘seat’ of the bishop but is run independently of him. Deans are in charge of Cathedrals, assisted by Canons and supported by a Greater Chapter including lay appointees. A number of newer parish church Cathedrals used to be headed by Provosts until the Cathedrals Measure 1999.

Governance

The Church of England is described as being episcopally-led (there are 108 bishops in total) and synodically governed. This means it’s led by bishops and its practices are decided by the General Synod.

All Saints, Horsey, Norfolk in the snow ©

The General Synod is elected from the laity and clergy of each diocese and meets in London or York at least twice a year. There are three houses: the house of bishops; the house of clergy; the house of laity. Each synod member is elected to serve for five years. Complex rules govern how church law is passed. Some has to go through Parliament and all must be given Royal assent.

Beliefs and worship

The Church of England is a broad church, representing a wide spectrum of theological thought and practice. However, as part of the Anglican Communion there are some distinctively Anglican ideas which can be identified in the Church of England. They are:

Individual parishes can decide how many services they hold in the week, how often they conduct Eucharistic services and how they structure the service to include hymns/songs, readings, the Creed, a sermon and prayers. Despite this flexibility, each priest is expected to conduct a service which has been authorised by the church in the service book.

Decline, ordination of women, homosexuality

Current issues

As the established church, the Church of England and the comments and decisions its leaders make frequently attract media attention. These are just a few of the key issues facing the church at the beginning of the twenty-first century:

Decline in church attendance

The Church of England is responsible for more than 16,000 churches and 42 Cathedrals in England, yet the number of people attending services has been in decline in recent decades. In 2002 the average number of people attending church on Sundays declined by 4% to just over a million. If you include those who attended during the week, the number rises to approximately 1.2 million.

Many of those attending are of the older generations, with statistics showing that few 15 to 30 year olds go to church.

Despite the slow decline in average attandance, giving to parish churches continues to increase by more than inflation every year. Individual congregations themselves are responsible for the financial maintenance of the church, despite its national church status.

The Church Commissioners are responsible for managing the Church’s historic assets, paying clergy pensions earned up to 1998 and helping to support parish ministry. Since 1998, parishes have been paying into a fund to provide pensions earned by clergy from that date. There are now more people claiming a clergy pension than there are ordained stipendiary (paid) clergy. This is putting even greater pressure on the parish system with more and more priests being asked to take on additional parishes.

As ever, bald statistics obscure signs of hope for the Church of England:

The ordination of women

In 1992 when General Synod passed a vote to ordain woman not everyone in the Church of England was in agreement. In 1993 it passed the Act of Synod setting up an official structure to enable parishes to refuse women’s ministry.

Male priests and their congregations could accept an alternative bishop known as a Provincial Episcopal Visitor or «flying bishop», who also rejected women as priests. This system, although criticised as institutionalising discrimination against women, has been credited with avoiding a split in the Church of England over the issue.

Two other options were set up to allow male priests to reject women’s ministry. Firstly, a scheme allowed men to leave the priesthood with appropriate financial support until they had resettled. Secondly, the Roman Catholic Church allowed married (and non-married) Anglican priests to join its priesthood.

In 1994 in Bristol the first women priests were ordained. Now, more than ten years on, one in five Church of England licensed priests is female. Pressure is growing to now allow women to be Bishops. A working party, set up by General Synod, has published a theological study of women in the Episcopate and the impact such a move would have both on the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. The Synod will debate it in 2005.

Homosexuality and the Church of England

Many of the headlines regarding the Church of England since 2002 have regarded the rights of homosexual priests. The Church of England allows for the ordination of gay priests as long as they are celibate.

In 2003 Canon Jeffrey John was appointed as Bishop of Reading. Despite his pro-gay views (he’s written articles and pamphlets outlining why gay couples should live in faithful, permanent, stable relationships) he made it clear that he was celibate. His appointment, and the subsequent election of an openly gay bishop in America, prompted a national and international examination on the rights of homosexual clergy. Canon Jeffrey John stood down as Bishop-elect of Reading but has subsequently been installed as Dean of St Albans.

Cathedrals in Britain

by Ben Johnson

From the world-famous St Paul’s in London to the charming 12th century St David’s Cathedral in Wales, simply scroll down to see our interactive map of the Christian cathedrals in Britain. Although we have attempted to be as thorough as possible, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a cathedral that we have not included on the map.

What is a Cathedral? A cathedral is not just a large church. The word ‘cathedral’ comes from the Latin word cathedra meaning ‘seat’ or ‘chair’, and refers to the presence of the bishop’s or archbishop’s chair or throne. It is the most important church in the diocese.

What is a Minster – is it the same as a Cathedral? Sometimes but not always. Minsters were established during Anglo-Saxon times and were the churches attached to a monastery or monasterium. Nowadays the term ‘minster’ has come to refer more generally to any large or important, often parish, church. Famous minsters include York Minster, Southwell Minster and Westminster in London.

Cathedrals in England

Cathedrals in Scotland

Abderdeen Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Episcopal Cathedral Church of St Andrew opened in 1817 as St Andrew’s Chapel and was raised to Cathedral status in 1914. Designed by local architect Archibald Simpson, who became famous for planning the new town of Edinburgh.

Ayr Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of Saint Margaret, also known as Ayr Cathedral, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway. St Margaret’s was designated a cathedral in 2007, and is the most recent church to be given status as a Roman Catholic cathedral in the United Kingdom.

Dornoch Cathedral Church of Scotland Dornoch Cathedral was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Alexander II as the cathedral church of the diocese of Caithness. It was built by Gilbert de Moravia, Bishop of Caithness, at his own expense. Almost totally destroyed during a fire in 1570, it was partially restored in 1616 and fully restored in 1837.

Dundee Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church Built on the site a medieval seat of power in the area, the foundation stone of the Anglican St Paul’s Cathedral was laid on 21 July 1853 and it was completed in 1855. Designed by George Gilbert Scott in Middle Gothic style, it was raised to cathedral status in 1905.

Edinburgh St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Edinburgh, was consecrated in 1879. St Mary’s is Scotland’s largest cathedral, and a fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture.

Edinburgh St Giles Cathedral Church of Scotland Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St Giles is dedicated to the patron saint of Edinburgh. A place of worship for over 900 years, the present cathedral dates from the late 14th century but with extensive 19th century restorations.

Glasgow Cathedral Church of Scotland Glasgow church is reputedly built on the same site where the Patron Saint of Glasgow, St Mungo, built his own church in the early 7th century. The current building dates from the 13th century, and is one of the few medieval cathedrals in Scotland to have survived the reformation intact.

St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow Scottish Episcopal Church The Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, was opened on 9 November 1871 as St Mary’s Episcopal Church and was completed in 1893. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it was raised to cathedral status in 1908. It is one of four cathedrals in Glasgow.

Inverness Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Episcopal Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew was designed by local architect Alexander Ross, with construction starting in 1866, the building work was completed in 1869. A lack of funding meant that the two giant spires featured in his design were never realised.

Millport Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Cathedral of The Isles and Collegiate Church of the Holy Spirit is Britain’s smallest Cathedral and dates from 1851. Planned as a theological college for the Scottish Episcopal Church, it was seen as a “new” Iona, and in 1876 was consecrated Cathedral of the Isles.

Motherwell Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Good Aid, popularly known as Motherwell Cathedral, opened as a Roman Catholic parish church in December 1900, it was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1948.

Oban Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The congregation of the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine first gathered in 1846. Construction work continued on the structure until 1910, when funds ran out.

Paisley Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Dedicated to the patron saint of Paisley, the Cathedral Church of Saint Mirin was completed in 1931. A former Roman Catholic parish church, it was raised to cathedral status in 1948. Neo-Romanesque in style, its architect was Thomas Baird.

Perth Cathedral Scottish Episcopal Church The Cathedral Church of St Ninian was built on the site of an older Dominican monastery and was the first to be built in Britain since the Reformation, being consecrated in 1850. Designed by the London architect, William Butterfield, it was completed by 1914.

Cathedrals in Wales

Bangor Cathedral The Church in Wales Originally occupied by St. Deiniol’s monastery, established around 525, Bangor Cathedral is located on a low-lying and inconspicuous site, possibly to avoid the attention of raiders from the sea. The earliest part of the present building dates from the episcopate of Bishop David 1120–1139. Today’s structure is the result of extensive work carried out under the supervision of Sir George Gilbert Scott begun in 1868.

Brecon Cathedral The Church in Wales Previously the church of Brecon Priory founded in 1093, and later the 16th century Parish Church of St John the Evangelist, it became Brecon Cathedral in 1923. It is thought that the Norman Priory might have been built on the site of an older, possibly Celtic, church.

Cardiff Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St David was designed by the London firm of architects of Pugin & Pugin and constructed between 1884-87. Damaged by World War II bombing in 1941, it was restored and rebuilt during the 1950’s and re-opened in March 1959.

Llandaff Cathedral The Church in Wales The Cathedral Church of SS Peter & Paul, Dyfrig, Teilo and Euddogwy, is one of two cathedrals in Cardiff, the other being the Catholic Cardiff Cathedral. The current building was constructed in the 12th century over the site of an earlier church.

Newport Cathedral The Church in Wales Newport’s St. Woolos Cathedral has sections that date from Anglo-Saxon times, together with a large 12th century Norman Nave enclosed within later mediaeval aisles. Restored whilst still a church in 1850, St. Woolos attained full cathedral status in 1949.

St Asaph Cathedral The Church in Wales Saint Kentigern built his church on this site in 560. When he returned to Strathclyde in 573, he left Asa (or Asaph) as his successor. Since that time the Cathedral has been dedicated to Saint Asaph. Reputed to be the smallest Anglican cathedral in Great Britain, the present building dates mainly from the 13th century.

St David’s Cathedral The Church in Wales The monastic community was founded by Saint David (Welsh: Dewi Sant), Abbot of Menevia, during the 6th century. During the next 450 years the monastery was regularly plagued by sea-born raiders. In 1115, with the area now under Norman control, the life of the community began to improve and construction of a new Cathedral began. The present Cathedral was started in 1181, and completed shortly afterwards.

Swansea Cathedral Roman Catholic Church The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Saint Joseph was designed by Peter Paul Pugin and took two years to build. Originally dedicated as a church the building opened in 1888, and was elevated to a cathedral status in 1987.

Wrexham Cathedral Roman Catholic Church Originally built as a Roman Catholic Parish Church in 1857, the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was designed by Edward Welby Pugin, son of the famous Augustus. In true family tradition, it adopted a 14th century Gothic Style.

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Church of England

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The Church of England, or Anglican Church, is the primary state church in England, where the concepts of church and state are linked. The Church of England is considered the original church of the Anglican Communion, which represents over 85 million people in more than 165 countries.

While the Church upholds many of the customs of Roman Catholicism, it also embraces fundamental ideas adopted during the Protestant Reformation. In recent years, the Church of England has been viewed as one of the more progressive sects of Christianity and is known for its relatively liberal policies, such as allowing the ordination of women and gay priests.

Church of England Facts

Church of England History

The Church of England’s earliest origins date back to the Roman Catholic Church’s influence in Europe during the 2nd century.

However, the church’s official formation and identity are typically thought to have started during the Reformation in England of the 16th century. King Henry VIII (famous for his many wives) is considered the founder of the Church of England.

Henry VIII

Henry VIII broke ties with the Pope in the 1530s after the Catholic church wouldn’t allow him to annul his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, who failed to produce any male heirs.

Henry passed the Act of Succession and the Act of Supremacy, which essentially declared himself the supreme head of the Church of England.

After Henry’s death, Protestant reforms made their way into the church during the reign of Edward VI. But, when Edward’s half-sister, Mary, succeeded the throne in 1553, she persecuted Protestants and embraced traditional Roman Catholic ideals.

After Elizabeth I took the title of Queen in 1558, however, the Church of England was revived. The Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion became important texts that outlined moral doctrine and worship principles.

Church Movements

The Puritan movement in the 17th century led to the English Civil Wars and the Commonwealth. During this time, the Church of England and the monarchy were quelled, but both were re-established in 1660.

The 18th century brought the Evangelical movement, which promoted the Protestant customs of the Church. Conversely, the Oxford Movement in the 19th century highlighted the Roman Catholic heritage.

These two movements and their philosophies have endured in the Church and are sometimes referred to as “Low Church” and “High Church.”

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Since the 20th century, the Church of England has been active in the Ecumenical Movement, which promotes ideas of worldwide Christian unity.

Church of England in America

Many of the early American colonists were Anglican Puritans. During the Colonial era, the Anglican Church set up establishments in Virginia, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

After the American Revolution, the Anglican Church became an independent organization in the United States and called itself the Protestant Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church, USA, is the official organization of the Anglican Communion in the United States. It’s been a self-governing body since 1785 and has about 1.9 million members.

Women and Gays in the Church of England

In 1992, the Church of England voted to ordain women as priests. This decision sparked debate within the clerical community but also opened the door for further empowerment of women within the church hierarchy.

Over the next few years, several attempts to allow women to become bishops were put in place, but many of them were squashed by the opposition.

Finally, in 2014, the Church passed a bill to consecrate women as bishops. The archbishops of Canterbury and of York—the church’s most elite officials—approved the bill later that year. The first female bishop of the Church of England, Rev. Libby Lane, was consecrated in January 2015.

Since 2005, the Church of England has allowed for the ordination of gay priests, under the condition that they remain celibate. Homosexuals in celibate civil unions were permitted to become bishops in 2013.

Also, in 2013, the House of Commons passed legislation to legalize same-sex marriages but didn’t allow the Church of England to perform them.

Many consider the Church of England’s elevation of women and gays in the clergy as groundbreaking and long-awaited progress. Others in the church view it as sacrilegious and blasphemous.

While the debate continues, experts agree that the Church of England has paved the way for conversations about expanding gender and sexual-orientation roles within Christianity.

Sources

History of the Church of England, The Church of England.
Church of England, BBC.
The Church of England in Early America, National Humanities Center.
Episcopal Church Fast Facts, CNN.