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Guildford Cathedral

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Guildford Cathedral
Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit
Guildford Cathedral is located in Surrey
Guildford Cathedral
Guildford Cathedral
Shown within Surrey
LocationGuildford, Surrey
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
Websitewww.guildford-cathedral.org
History
Consecrated1961
Architecture
Architect(s)Edward Maufe
StyleNeo-Gothic/Art Deco
Years built1936–1961
Specifications
Number of towers1
Tower height48.8m (160 feet)
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseGuildford (since 1927)
Clergy
DeanDianna Gwilliams
PrecentorNicholas Thistlethwaite
Canon(s)Andrew Bishop, Chaplain to the University of Surrey
Julie Gittoes, Residentiary Canon
ArchdeaconThe Archdeacon of Surrey (Residentiary Canon)

The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, Guildford is the Anglican cathedral at Guildford, Surrey, England. Designed by Sir Edward Maufe and built between 1936 and 1961, it is the seat of the Diocese of Guildford.

Construction

Guildford was made a diocese in 1927, covering most of Surrey. Work began nine years later on its cathedral, which was to be a lead centre of worship and community events venue. The diocese chose Sir Edward Maufe as its architect and the foundation stone was laid by Dr Cosmo Gordon Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1936.[1] Construction was intended to span many years to allow necessary funds to be raised, but building work had to be suspended during the Second World War. In the meantime Guildford's restored medieval Holy Trinity Church served as pro-cathedral.[1] In 1952 Walter Boulton, who had ministered mostly in India, was made provost (head priest at the pro-cathedral and pastor of the parish), and revitalized the fund-raising for the new cathedral. The building could not be consecrated until 17 May 1961. When it was completed sufficiently for public worship, another cleric was chosen as first dean of the cathedral by the bishop, after consultation with various benefactors and influential clergy within Anglicanism.[2]

In the 1950s a "buy a brick" scheme was used to raise funds for construction, to great success. Each brick cost 2s 6d and entitled the buyer to sign their name on the brick. The Queen and Prince Philip both signed bricks, which are on display inside the cathedral.

Location

It stands in a commanding spot on Stag Hill — so named because the Kings of England used to hunt there — and its solid red brick outline is visible for miles around; it immediately overlooks the University of Surrey. Its bricks are made from clay taken from the hill on which it stands.

Description

Guildford Cathedral
The vaulting of the South Nave side aisle

Writing in 1932, Sir Edward Maufe said: ‘The ideal has been to produce a design, definitely of our own time, yet in the line of the great English Cathedrals; to build anew on tradition, to rely on proportion, mass, volume and line rather than on elaboration and ornament.'[1] Pevsner Architectural Guides described the building as 'sweet-tempered, undramatic Curvilinear Gothic', and the interior as 'noble and subtle.'

The tower is 160 feet (49 m) high,[1] and contains twelve bells, ten of which were cast by Mears and Stainbank in 1965. The bells were augmented to 12 with two Whitechapel trebles in 1975. The largest bell weighs 30cwt (just over 1.5 tonnes) and is tuned to the key of D. At the top of the tower stands a 15-foot (4.6 m) gilded angel, which turns in the wind. Inside, the cathedral appears to be filled with light, with pale Somerset limestone pillars and white Italian marble floors. It is a Grade II* listed building.[3]

The angel on the top of the tower was given in memory of Sgt. Reginald Adgey-Edgar of the Intelligence Corps, who died on active service in 1944 during World War II.[4] The supporting pole for the angel houses mobile phone antennas.[5]

The wooden cross which stands outside the eastern end of the cathedral was originally erected in 1933 before construction work began in order to mark the site of the new cathedral. Known as the Ganges Cross, it is made from timbers of Burma teak from the battleship HMS Ganges (1821). The ship's emblem - an elephant - is embedded in the wood.[6]

In 2008 the cathedral opened a garden, named the Seeds of Hope Children's Garden,[7] designed to help children and young people explore feelings of loss of all kinds. It is situated in the grounds at the east end of the cathedral and incorporates four areas, one for each season, together with a labyrinth and a bronze sculpture by Christine Charlesworth of two life-sized children.[8]

Stained glass

Guildford cathedral contains fewer stained glass windows than average, having predominantly a clear glazing scheme to complement the modernist architectural style of the building.[9] However it includes works by Moira Forsyth, William Wilson, James Powell and Sons, Ninian Comper and Lawrence Lee.[10]

Carved Glass

One of three carved glass angels above the south porch doors at Guildford Cathedral, by John Hutton

The cathedral has carved glass works by New Zealand-born artist John Hutton. One set adorns the panel at the west entrance; the other is above the internal doors to the south porch.

Clergy

  • Dean – Dianna Gwilliams, first female Dean of Guildford[11]
  • Canon Precentor – Nicholas Thistlethwaite (Precentor since 1999 installation; Sub Dean since 2006)
  • Residentiary Canon & Chaplain to the University of Surrey – Andrew Bishop (since September 2011)[12]
  • Archdeacon of Surrey (Residentiary Canon) – Stuart Beake (since 9 October 2005 collation)
  • Residentiary Canon – Julie Gittoes (since 6 May 2012 installation)[13]

Music

Organ

The cathedral organ was installed in 1961 by the Liverpool firm of Rushworth and Dreaper. It is a reconstruction of an organ dating from c. 1866, previously in the Rosse Street Baptist Church in Shipley, West Yorkshire.[14]

Organists

See also: List of musicians at English cathedrals

Organists at Guildford Cathedral have included the composer Philip Moore.

In culture

Scenes in the classic horror film The Omen were filmed at the Cathedral.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Guildford Cathedral by Sir Edward Maufe. Pitkin Pictorals Ltd, 1966.
  2. ^ Ferris, Paul (1962, 1963). The Church of England. The MacMillan Company. pp. 42–62. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  3. ^ Historic England. "Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit (1377883)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Commonwealth War Graves Commission".
  5. ^ "Planning Advice Note: PAN 62 Radio Telecommunications". Scotland.gov.uk. 17 August 2005. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Guildford Cathedral: Outside Tour Notes" (PDF). www.guildford-cathedral.org. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  7. ^ BBC - Youngsters offered seeds of hope
  8. ^ "Guildford Cathedral - Children's Garden". www.guildford-cathedral.org. Guildford Cathedral. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Guildford Cathedral: Sunrise Studio". www.stained-windows.co.uk. Sunrise Stained Glass Ltd. 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  10. ^ Eberhard, Robert. "Stained Glass Windows at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit". Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  11. ^ Diocese Guildford – New Dean of Guildford announced
  12. ^ Guildford Cathedral – Accounts, 2011
  13. ^ Bishop's Sermon – Collation & Installation of Gittoes
  14. ^ "Surrey, Guildford Cathedral of The Holy Spirit (A00957)". National Pipe Organ Register. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
  15. ^ BBC News - Police 'shoot man near cathedral', 30 November 2008
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