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Manchester Cathedral’s Chapter House

Chapter House, Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral, formerly the parish and collegiate church of St Mary, St Denys and St George, was rebuilt in the 15th century when it was elevated to collegiate status. The church was promoted to cathedral status in 1847. The cathedral is known for its wide nave which was formed by the presence of chantry chapels whose internal subdivisions have since disappeared.

The building is primarily late Perpendicular in style, with the upper half of the west tower being a Victorian addition that blends well with the rest of the cathedral. The original sandstone did not age well, necessitating complete renewal of the external stonework and much of the internal surface as well. The work inside and out respected the original design faithfully, though much of the patina of age was lost in the process, giving the building the appearance of being Victorian rather than medieval.

The cathedral suffered bomb damage in World War II, which destroyed the lady chapel and much of the northeast corner. Though the cathedral’s restoration did not entirely follow the original form, the new design for the lady chapel provides a contemporary and windowless design that contrasts well with the rest of the cathedral. The loss of the pre-war stained glass, which was almost entirely Victorian, is not generally mourned, and the cathedral is now adorned with vibrant examples of contemporary stained glass.

Despite the restoration and renewal, much of the medieval woodwork remains in the roofs and furnishings, which include some of the very finest choir stalls in the country with enjoyable misericord seats set beneath wonderfully rich canopies. Manchester Cathedral is one of the most successful upgrades of a parish church to a cathedral and offers the scale, interest, and dignity of a cathedral. It is open to visitors daily.

Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2019-09-06 07:24:47