Manchester Cathedral was originally a parish and collegiate church, with the diocese of Manchester only being created in 1847. The majority of the building dates back to the 15th century and is styled in late Perpendicular design. The church boasts the widest nave of any medieval church in England due to the former presence of a multitude of chantry chapels whose internal subdivisions have long since disappeared.
The original sandstone did not age well, leading to a complete renewal of the external stonework and much of the internal surface too. Much of the restoration was done during Victorian times, therefore the cathedral now appears more Victorian than medieval. During World War II, the lady chapel and much of the north-east corner were destroyed by bombs, leading to further restoration and the addition of contemporary stained-glass windows, which provide a splash of color in their abstract expressionism.
Despite the restoration and renewal, the cathedral still possesses many of its original features and medieval woodwork, such as the early 16th-century choir stalls, which are some of the best late medieval woodcarvings to have survived. Manchester Cathedral is now one of the most successful upgrades of a parish church to a cathedral in the country, offering visitors an interesting and dignified venue to explore.
Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2019-09-06 07:24:48