Clifton Cathedral
| Clifton Cathedral | |
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| The Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul | |
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 Clifton Cathedral
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| 51°27′35″N 2°36′59″W / 51.4597°N 2.6163°WCoordinates: 51°27′35″N 2°36′59″W / 51.4597°N 2.6163°W | |
| Location | Bristol, Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.cliftoncathedral.org.uk |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 1973 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | R. Weeks, F.S. Jennett and A. Poremba of Percy Thomas Partnership |
| Years built | 1970-1973 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1000 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Clifton (since 1973) |
| Province | Birmingham |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Declan Ronan Lang |
| Dean | Alan Finley |
| Laity | |
| Director of music | Richard Jeffrey-Gray |
| Organist(s) | Stephen Bryant |
The Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul is the Roman Catholic cathedral in the English city of Bristol. Located in the Clifton area of the city, it is the seat of the Diocese of Clifton and is known as Clifton Cathedral.
Contents |
History[edit]
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Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles[edit]
Clifton cathedral was built to replace the previous diocesan seat of Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles in Bristol (1850-1973). The pro-cathedral had a history of problematic construction work. It was built as a church on a challenging hillside site, making work there difficult. Building started in 1834, stopped a year later, started again in 1843, stopped shortly after and the building lay abandoned until 1848 when a roof was placed on the half-completed building so that it could be used as a church.[1]
Two years later, in 1850, Clifton was made an episcopal see and the church became the Pro-Cathedral, intended to act in this capacity until a more fitting cathedral church could be constructed.[1]
Move to Clifton[edit]
In 1965 architects were commissioned to undertake the design of a new cathedral on a different site in Clifton. The design was by R. Weeks, F.S. Jennett and A. Poremba of the Percy Thomas Partnership.[2]
Construction began in March 1970 and completed in May 1973 by John Laing & Son Ltd,[3] also the main contractor at Coventry Cathedral. That same year, on June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the new cathedral was consecrated and opened and the pro-Cathedral was closed.
In 2011, it hosted the filming of ‘Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol’ an S4C television programme, that translates as ‘Start Singing Start Praising’. The Cathedral hosted musicians, singers, cameramen and crew filming for the faith and music programme.[4]
Construction[edit]
The interior design has been seen as unusual.[5] It's internal shape is due to the architects innovative response to the requirements set down by the Second Vatican Council. It was decreed in the council that the congregation should all have a good view of the altar.[5] So the sanctuary is shaped hexagonally to allow the 1,000 capacity congregation a close and clear view of the altar. Also, the baptistery is situated close the entrance, while the seating of the name is around the lectern and altar space, reflecting a person's sacramental journey within the catholic church.[6]
The mathematical form of an equilateral triangle, one a half foot high, is important in the design of the building, because the architects used this to determine the spacings of the furishings within the cathedral. This is shown by the votive candelabrum hanging in the Lady Chapel. It is constructed of twenty such triangles and was made by Brother Patrick of Prinknash Abbey.[6]
Also, in answer the Vatican II's call for a clear view of the altar in remodelled churches, there are no windows within the congregations line of sight of the altar. Daytime lighting is provided by natural roof lights, so that the light from outside comes from the ring beam walls so the sanctuary area remains the focus of the cathedral.[6]
Facts[edit]
- A copper tube containing plans of the cathedral and other items were buried under the foundation stone.
- The cathedral is constructed from reinforced concrete clad with panels of Aberdeen granite.
- The narthex contains two stained glass windows constructed from over 8,000 pieces of glass collected from England, France and Germany.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b General History, Clifton Cathedral site
- ^ Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0-289-79804-3.
- ^ Clifton Cathedral Guide
- ^ Top Historical TV Show Filmed in Clifton Cathedral, Clifton Diocese
- ^ a b Clifton Cathedral, About Bristol
- ^ a b c History Tour, Clifton Cathedral site
External links[edit]
- Clifton Cathedral
- Architectural Description of Clifton Cathedral
- Virtual Tour of Clifton Cathedral
- Twentieth Century Society Building of the Month
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