Manchester Cathedral is a grand example of a former parish church that has been upgraded to the status of a cathedral. While it was previously known as the parish and collegiate church of St Mary, St Denys, and St George, it was raised to cathedral status in 1847. The building itself is an imposing structure with a wide nave, thanks to the numerous chantry chapels that once occupied the space.
The present building is mostly the result of reconstruction in the 15th century when it was transformed into a collegiate church. The church is characterized by a late Perpendicular style, and the upper half of the west tower is a Victorian addition that blends well with the rest of the cathedral. However, the original sandstone did not age well, and a complete renewal of the external stonework and much of the internal surface was necessary.
During World War II, the cathedral suffered extensive damage from a high-explosive bomb that demolished the lady chapel and much of the northeast corner. Despite the loss of all pre-war stained glass, the cathedral is now adorned with contemporary stained glass, including a sequence of colorful abstract windows by artist Anthony Holloway.
Despite the restorations and renewals that have taken place throughout the years, much of the medieval woodwork remains in the cathedral’s roofs and furnishings. The early 16th-century choir stalls are some of the finest in the country, boasting rich canopies and some of the best late medieval wood carving to have survived.
Manchester Cathedral is open to visitors every day and stands as one of the most successful examples of a former parish church that has been transformed into a majestic cathedral.
Posted by Aidan McRae Thomson on 2019-08-30 06:49:28