A Walk Around Bradford's
Living Cathedral
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A Walk Around Bradford's
Living Cathedral |
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| The
15th Century Nave |
This part of the building has undergone many changes through the centuries - such as galleries on four sides and a false ceiling covering the wonderful roof made of timber from Tong Forest. The angels at roof level may be linked to Kirkstall Abbey. The Chancel and Sanctuary were rebuilt and extended in the early 1960's and were designed by Sir Edward Maufe to add space and dignity befitting a Cathedral |
| The
Tower |
Completed in 1508 the walls of this tower stand 100 feet high and are eleven feet thick. It was bombarded by the army of Charles I in 1642/3. Here was the first public clock in Bradford and it houses a peal of twelve bells. The West Window depicts women in the Bible. Nearby, the font base is Caen stone and the canopy is Tudor. A list of the Vicars of Bradford from the 13th century onwards includes some whose memorials are in the South Ambulatory. |
| The
West Yorkshire Regiment Window |
This window commemorates the 1st World War battles fought by the 6th Battalion Prince of Wales Own West Yorkshire Regiment, The 2nd World War is commemorated in stone and sand from the Dunkirk beaches and plaques to two of Bradford's V.C's. A medieval gravestone, with the outline of a helmet and sword, forms the windowsill. |
| North
Wall Memorials |
These include those of famous Bradfordians - Lister (manufacturer and inventor), Priestley (Leeds-Liverpool Canal), Abraham Sharp (mathematician and astronomer of Horton Hall); along with an apothecary and a teacher. A bronze plaque nearby depicts the Civil War Siege of Bradford 1642/3 and the granting of the Market Charter in 1251 |
| North
Transept Memorials |
These include a carving by Flaxman to industrialist Abraham Balme, Rawson (market and manor) and Atkinson Jowett (Clock House). Pioneering work in chemotherapy by Professors Whyte-Watson and Turner is remembered and nearby is the Bradford City Football Fire Disaster Stone (by John Shaw). The transept's north wall windows feature Celtic and Saxon saints of Northern Britain. |
| The
Pulpit |
The current pulpit is the adapted top 'deck' of a triple decker pulpit and has five interesting figures - the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - and also a tiny carved 'green man' peering through the leaves in the stone base. |
| The
North Ambulatory |
Forming part of the north wall is a carved Anglian stone which may have been part of a stone cross - a reminder of the ancient roots from which this Cathedral grew. William Morris designed the illuminated window alongside. |
| St
Aidan's Chapel |
This chapel is the heart of the Cathedral's daily ministry of prayer. The Celtic cross, carved by Chris Shawcross, depicts peoples of all times and places in their pilgrimage towards God. The wall panels depict the ancient landscape of Aidan's time: Iona, Bradford-dale, and Lindisfarne. |
| The Chapel of the Holy Spirit | Here is a place of quiet where all are welcome. Here you may light a candle or write a prayer request in the book of intercessions and your prayer will be continued by the Cathedral community. |
| The Lady Chapel | This chapel is named after Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The East Window here was one of the earliest commisions carried out by William Morris and Co in 1863 and reset a century later. The Good Shepherd altar frontal was designed by Bradford born Ernest Sichel. |
| The Bishop's Throne | This ancient parish church became the Cathedral Church of St Peter Bradford in 1919. The throne, or 'cathedra', has a richly carved canopy decorated with St Peter complete with nets and fish and also a Pelican (a sign of self sacrifice). On the bench-end is carved the Cathedral tower on a rock containing a dragon. |
| The South Transept Windows | These windows tell the three principal stories of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Designer's trademarks are visible; the wheatsheaf of Kempe and the castle tower of his nephew Walter Tower. Memorials continue from here round the south side with well known Bradford names; Hollings, Rand, Richardson of Brierley Hall, Fawcett and many others. The south wall windows include exquisite miniature scenes of the life and resurrection of Christ. |