Tag: Manchester

Manchester Cathedral, England, is a grand town parish church with a rich history dating back to the 15th century, when it was promoted to collegiate church status. Although it was only elevated to cathedral rank in 1847, the church boasts having the widest nave of any medieval church in England. The exterior stonework of the church, which was in poor condition due to an ill-advised attempt to lighten its interior, had to be completely renewed, and the internal surface also required extensive restoration. Despite losing its patina of age in the process, the cathedral is a stunning example of medieval architecture, boasting some of the very finest choir stalls with some of the best late medieval wood carving.

During World War II, the cathedral was damaged by a high-explosive bomb, which demolished the lady chapel and much of the north-east corner. The chapels lost most of their pre-war stained glass, which was Victorian and had made the interior gloomy. The cathedral was rebuilt and restored after the war, though the lady chapel and north-east window were redesigned, and a chantry that formerly projected from the north wall was never rebuilt.

Manchester Cathedral is an excellent example of a successful ‘parish church cathedral’ upgrade, wherein new dioceses were formed, and it possesses the scale, interest, and dignity of a cathedral. Despite undergoing extensive rebuilding and renovations, the cathedral remains open to visitors daily, offering visitors a glimpse into England’s rich architectural and religious history.

Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2019-09-03 19:11:26

Manchester Cathedral, located in Manchester, England, was historically a parish and collegiate church called St Mary, St Denys, and St George. It was promoted to collegiate status in the 15th century and is known for having the widest nave of any medieval church in England.

The church was rebuilt in the Late Perpendicular style, and the Victorian addition of the upper half of the west tower blends well with the overall design. The original sandstone did not age well and required complete renewal of the external stonework, as well as much of the internal surface. Despite respecting the original design, much of the cathedral’s patina of age has been lost, making it appear more like a Victorian structure despite being medieval.

During World War II, bomb damage caused additional restoration to the lady chapel and the loss of all pre-war stained glass. Today, contemporary stained glass adorns the cathedral, including a sequence of five windows by Anthony Holloway at the west end.

Despite the restoration and renewal, the cathedral still contains medieval woodwork in the roofs and furnishings. Among the most significant features are the early 16th century choir stalls with misericord seats and rich canopies, some of the best late medieval wood carving to have survived.

As one of the most successful “parish church cathedral” upgrades, Manchester Cathedral possesses the scale, interest, and dignity of a cathedral while still betraying its origins as a collegiate church.

The cathedral is open to visitors daily.

Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2019-09-03 19:11:22

Manchester Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George, was originally a parish church before being promoted to collegiate status in the 15th century. It was later designated as a cathedral in 1847 when the diocese of Manchester was created. Despite its relatively recent history as a cathedral, the building is an imposing edifice, with a reputation as having the widest nave of any medieval church in England.

The church’s architecture is largely late Perpendicular and includes a Victorian addition in the upper half of the west tower. During World War II, the Lady Chapel screen narrowly escaped destruction when a bomb damaged the chapel behind it. The screen was rebuilt with some new structural elements, but the carved elements were largely unharmed. The cathedral also lost all its pre-war stained glass during the bombing, but today it boasts vibrant examples of contemporary stained glass, including a sequence of five windows by Anthony Holloway.

Despite the restoration work that was necessary after the bombing, much of the cathedral’s medieval woodwork, including the early 16th century choir stalls, remained intact. These stalls are considered some of the finest in the country, with misericord seats and wonderfully rich canopies. Today, Manchester Cathedral retains the scale, interest, and dignity of a cathedral, despite its origins as a parish and collegiate church.

Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2019-09-03 19:11:23