Wakefield Cathedral
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Wakefield Cathedral |
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The spire of Wakefield Cathedral | |
Dedication | All Saints |
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Denomination | Church of England |
Tradition | Broad Church |
Administration | |
Diocese | Wakefield |
Province | York |
Clergy | |
Dean | Very Rev George Nairn Briggs |
Other | |
Organist/Director of Music | Mr Jonathan Bielby |
Organist | Mr Edward Taylor |
Website | www.wakefield-cathedral.org.uk |
Wakefield Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of All Saints Wakefield is the cathedral for the Church of England's Diocese of Wakefield and is the seat of the Bishop of Wakefield.
Contents |
[edit] History
The cathedral stands on the site of a Saxon church in the centre of Wakefield in the northern English county of Yorkshire, and the present building was mainly built during the 14th and 15th centuries in the Perpendicular style. The 15th century spire is 247 feet (75 metres) tall and is the highest spire in Yorkshire, as well as being the fourth loftiest spire in England.
The building was restored during the 19th century by George Gilbert Scott, with the stained glass windows being created being Charles Eamer Kempe. In 1888, the Diocese of Wakefield was created and All Saints church became the diocese's cathedral. Unusally, it also still serves as a parish church, meaning that until 2000 the head of the chapter of canons was called the provost, rather than the dean.
In 1992 Wakefield Cathedral became only the second cathedral in Britain to form a girls' choir.
[edit] Organ and Organists
[edit] Organ
Details of the organ from the National Pipe Organ Register
[edit] Organists
- 1886 Joseph Naylor Hardy
- 1930 Newell S. Wallbank
- 1945 Percy George Saunders
- 1970 Jonathan Bielby
[edit] 2005 Maundy Money Ceremony
In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II visited the cathedral for the Maundy money Ceremony.