St Edmundsbury Cathedral

St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St James

Cathedral from the east
St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Shown within Suffolk
52°14′38″N 0°43′00″E / 52.243889°N 0.716667°E / 52.243889; 0.716667Coordinates: 52°14′38″N 0°43′00″E / 52.243889°N 0.716667°E / 52.243889; 0.716667
Location Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Country England
Denomination Church of England
Tradition Liberal Catholic
Website www.stedscathedral.co.uk
Architecture
Style Gothic, Gothic Revival
Years built 1503–2007
Administration
Diocese St Edmundsbury & Ipswich (since 1914)
Province Canterbury
Clergy
Bishop(s)

The Right Reverend Martin Seeley

The Right Reverend Mike Harrison
Dean Frances Ward
Subdean Matthew Vernon, Canon Pastor
Precentor Philip Banks
Laity
Director of music James Thomas
Organist(s) Daniel Soper
The choir, looking east towards the high altar

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is the cathedral for the Church of England's Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. It is the seat of the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and is in Bury St Edmunds.

History

A church has stood on the site of the cathedral since at least 1065, when St Denis's Church was built within the precincts of Bury St Edmunds Abbey.[1] In the early 12th century the Abbot, Anselm had wanted to make a pilgrimage along the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. He was unsuccessful and instead rebuilt St Denis's and dedicated the new church to Saint James, which served as the parish church for the north side of Bury St Edmunds.

This church was largely rebuilt, starting in 1503, with more alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries. When the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich was created in 1914, St James Church was made the cathedral. In 1959 Benjamin Britten wrote the Fanfare for St Edmundsbury for a "Pageant of Magna Carta" held in the cathedral grounds.

From 1960 onwards there was renewed building work designed to transform the former parish church into a cathedral building, with the rebuilding of the chancel and the creation of transepts and side chapels. The cathedral architect from 1943 to 1988 was Stephen Dykes Bower and he left £2 million for the completion of the cathedral.[2] In the cathedral grounds a new choir school and visitor's centre were built which were opened in 1990. A Gothic revival tower was built between 2000 and 2005.

Interior

The font was designed in 1870 by George Gilbert Scott, constructed on a medieval shaft, with a cover by F. E. Howard of Oxford. The decoration was added in 1960.

In addition to guided tours of the cathedral itself, visitors can view changing exhibits of art in the Edmund Gallery, and an exhibit of historic and religious regalia and artefacts in the Cathedral Treasures display. The painting "The Martyrdom of St Edmund" by Brian Whelan hangs in the Lady Chapel.

Dean and chapter

The Dean of St Edmundsbury is the head (primus inter pares – first among equals) and chair of the chapter of canons, the ruling body of the cathedral. Before 2000 the post was designated as a provost, which was then the equivalent of a dean at most English cathedrals. The first provost was John Orpen.

Organ and organists

Organ

The two organ cases, in the north transept and north choir

Details of the organ from the National Pipe Organ Register

Director of Music

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "History - Building The Church". St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  2. ↑ http://www.stedscathedral.co.uk/history/building-the-church
  3. ↑ St Edmundsbury Cathedral – Installation of Ward as Dean
  4. ↑ St Edmundsbury Cathedral – Appointment of Sub-Dean
  5. ↑ Emmanuel, Hong Kong – Installation of Canon Vernon
  6. ↑ St Edmundsbury & Ipswich – Former Chartered Surveyor to be Canon

External links

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