Truro Cathedral
| Truro Cathedral | |
|---|---|
 Truro Cathedral from St Mary's Street | |
 | |
| Location | Truro |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Tradition | High Church |
| Website | www.trurocathedral.org.uk |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | J. L. Pearson |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Administration | |
| Province | Canterbury |
| Diocese | Truro |
| Archdeaconry | Cornwall |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | The Rt Revd Timothy Martin Thornton[1] |
| Dean | The Very Revd Dr Christopher Hardwick |
| Precentor | The Revd Canon Perran Gay |
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro is an Anglican cathedral located in the city of Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. It was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style fashionable during the period, and is one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom with three spires.[2]
History and description
The See (or Diocese) of Truro was established in 1876 and the first bishop, Edward White Benson, was consecrated in 1877: this was the first cathedral to be built on a new site in England since Salisbury Cathedral in 1220.
Construction began in 1880 on the site of the 16th century parish church (St Mary the Virgin) to a design by the architect John Loughborough Pearson, a leading figure of the 19th century Gothic Revival. The design combines the Early English style with certain French characteristics, chiefly spires and rose windows. Truro's resemblance to Lincoln Cathedral is not coincidental: Pearson had been appointed as Lincoln's Cathedral architect and the first Bishop of Truro, Edward Benson, had previously been Canon Chancellor at Lincoln. The central tower and spire stands 250 feet (76 m) tall, while the western towers reach to 200 feet (61 m).
Oddities
Parish church and chapels An original aisle of St Mary's Church is still contained within the south-east corner of the cathedral and still functions as the city centre's parish church. Three brasses were described by Edwin Dunkin in 1882: those of Cuthbert Sydnam (1630), Thomas Hasell (1567) and George Fitzpen, rector of the parish. The cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and as such has no Lady Chapel. A Jesus Chapel and the Chapel of Unity and Peace are reserved for quiet and prayer throughout the day.
Distorted plan Truro has a further unusual feature – a slight bend in its plan: because the cathedral is situated in the heart of the city there was little room with houses and shops packed closely about on all sides. In order to accommodate the cathedral it was necessary to bend the building six feet northward.
Chapter house There was no chapter house until 1967 when the opportunity to enlarge the building on the south-east arose.
Early years
Two foundation stones were laid in 1880 and the first section of the cathedral was consecrated in 1887. The central tower was completed by 1905 and the building was completed with the opening of the two western towers in 1910. Pearson died in 1897 and the work of his architectural practice was continued by his son, Frank. The Cathedral was the location for the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols, devised by Bishop Edward White Benson for Christmas Eve in 1880.
Restoration
In 2002 the cathedral embarked on what was hoped to be a fifteen year project to restore the east end, the west front and the central tower and spire. Each of the projects would be undertaken as funds allowed. The east end restoration repaired stonework and damage to the iron work on the stained glass windows. From 2004 to 2005 a year long project saw the restoration of the massive west front and towers. In 2009 and 2010 work on the central tower and spire has begun. Restoration work is being carried out by W.R. Bedford; Stuart Aston, managing director, said that the problem is the Bath stone used on the more decorative areas of the cathedral. It has not stood up well to the salts and sand in the maritime climate of Cornwall. Erosion of the stonework has left much of the exposed stonework in such a damaged condition that it resembles honeycomb. Funding for the restoration of the tower and spire has been partly met by grants from English Heritage, Friends of Truro Cathedral, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Tanner Trust, the cathedral itself and by public subscription. The "Save Our Spire" campaign has raised nearly £50,000 towards the cost.
Governance
The cathedral is governed by a three tier structure as set out in the Cathedral Measure and Statutes. The chapter (comprising the dean, three residentiary canons (see top right of article) and three chapter canons), the cathedral council and the college of canons.
Organs
A fine new organ of four manuals and forty-five stops built by Henry Willis was installed in 1887, since when it has seen very little alteration. One of many built to a standard design, the combination of its voicing and the cathedral's acoustics have given it a good reputation. More of its history can be seen on "its page". on the cathedral website, while its specification can be seen on "its entry". on the National Pipe Organ Register.
The other main organ in the cathedral is a two-manual instrument in the St Mary's Aisle, the sole remnant of the former parish church. It was originally built by Renatus Harris and was installed in Truro in 1750 by John Byfield "Organ of St Mary's Truro". Cambridge University.. It was re-installed in the temporary church in 1880, but was significantly rebuilt and reduced in size in 1887 for installation in its current location "Organ of St Mary's Truro". Cambridge University.. There is also a four-stop continuo organ by Kenneth Tickell "Organ of St Mary's Truro". Cambridge University..
Organists and assistant organists
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Organists
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Assistant organists
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Organ Scholars
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Bells
A peal of ten bells: the tenor bell weighs 33-3-10. Additionally there are six bells in the Green Tower of which five form a chiming peal (previously in St Mary's Parish Church). A planned great bourdon bell for the south-west tower was never made.[8][9]
Photo gallery
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West front -
From the east, 1913 -
In 1905 before completion of the central tower. The former south aisle of the old church (St Mary's Aisle) can be seen in the foreground -
From the south-east. St Mary's Aisle can be seen in the foreground, plus the tower with which Pearson provided it. -
West front looking across High Cross -
Interior of the cathedral -
Seen over Truro's rooftops -
From St Mary's Street
See also
- List of cathedrals in the United Kingdom
- List of topics related to Cornwall
- Bishop of Truro
- Truro
- Edward White Benson
References
- ^ BBC News. "Timothy Thornton". Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- ^ The other two being Lichfield Cathedral and St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Episcopal).
- ^ G. R. S. of Elgar's Enigma Variations
- ^ Scholes, Percy A. (1970) The Oxford Companion to Music, 10th ed. London: Oxford U. P.; p. 123b (afterwards organist of New College Oxford; Durham Cathedral; and St Paul's Cathedral; knighted 1968)
- ^ "Cathedral News". Dean and Chapter of Truro.
- ^ Dictionary of organs and organists. First edition. 1912. p.339
- ^ Dictionary of organs and organists. First edition. 1912. p.336
- ^ Dove, R.H. (1982) A Bellringer's Guide to the Church Bells of Britain and Ringing Peals of the World, 6th ed. Aldershot: Viggers
- ^ Brown, H. M. (1976) A Century for Cornwall. Truro: Blackford; p. 54
- Cooper, Canon (1925) The Restoration of the Cornish Bishopric. In: Cornish Church Guide. Truro: Blackford; pp. 30–50
- Henderson, Charles (1925) Truro St Mary V. In: Cornish Church Guide. Truro: Blackford; pp. 209–10
External links
- "Truro Cathedral official website".
- "The specification of the Willis organ". National Pipe Organ Register.
- "Truro Cathedral fullscreen VR panoramas".
- "Flickr images tagged Truro Cathedral".
- Cornwall Calling. "Truro Cathedral". Retrieved 2009-05-22.