St Albans Cathedral

St Albans Cathedral
Name	St Albans Cathedral
Fullname	The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban
Caption	The cathedral viewed from the south, showing the Norman tower and nave.
Denomination	Church of England
Diocese	Diocese of St Albans
Province	Province of Canterbury
Founded date	8th century (monastery), c. 1077 (Norman church), 1877 (cathedral status)
Architect	Various, including George Gilbert Scott
Style	Norman, Gothic
Location	St Albans, Hertfordshire, England
Coordinates	51.7505, -0.3427, type:landmark_region:GB
Website	https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/

St Albans Cathedral, formally known as The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, is a Church of England cathedral in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It stands on the site where Alban, Britain's first Christian martyr, was executed in the 3rd century, and its history is deeply intertwined with the development of English Christianity. The present building, noted for its extensive use of Roman brick and its mixture of architectural styles, serves as the mother church of the Diocese of St Albans.

History

The site's significance dates to the execution of Alban during the persecutions of the Roman Empire, with a memoria likely established soon after. A Benedictine monastery was founded here in the 8th century by Offa of Mercia, who also established a shrine to the saint. The Norman Abbot Paul of Caen began constructing the massive church seen today around 1077, using materials from the nearby Roman city of Verulamium. The abbey flourished throughout the Middle Ages, with pilgrims visiting the shrine of St Alban until its destruction during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. The church was saved from demolition and served as a parish church until 1877, when it was designated a cathedral upon the creation of the new Diocese of St Albans.

Architecture

The cathedral is a striking example of Norman and Gothic architecture, renowned for its immense length and the distinctive pinkish hue of its walls, built from Roman brick and flint. The 11th-century Norman tower, one of the earliest of its kind in England, features 13th-century additions. The nave, completed in the 12th century, is the longest of any cathedral in England and retains its original Norman arcades. Significant Gothic additions include the 13th-century Lady Chapel and the presbytery, rebuilt after the collapse of the original central tower in 1323. Major Victorian restoration was undertaken by the architect George Gilbert Scott, who rebuilt the west front and added the distinctive flying buttresses.

Stained glass and monuments

The cathedral contains an important collection of medieval and modern stained glass. The north transept holds rare 13th-century grisaille glass, while the great west window features a 14th-century Tree of Jesse. Notable monuments include the elaborate 15th-century Shrine of St Alban, reconstructed from fragments in the 19th century, and the nearby Watching Chamber. The Tomb of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester is a fine example of Perpendicular Gothic work, and the Wallingford Screen, a 15th-century stone choir screen, was restored in the 19th century.

Music and choir

The cathedral has a distinguished musical tradition maintained by the Choir of St Albans Cathedral, which consists of boy choristers, girl choristers, and adult lay clerks. The choir sings daily services and has an extensive recording and touring schedule. The cathedral is the venue for the annual International Organ Festival, a competition founded in 1963. The organ, originally built by Father Henry Willis in the 19th century and later rebuilt by Harrison & Harrison, is a celebrated instrument. Notable organists have included Peter Hurford and Barry Rose.

Abbey and diocese

The cathedral remains an active abbey, with a dean and chapter leading its mission, and is the seat of the Bishop of St Albans. The Diocese of St Albans, created in 1877, covers Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and part of Barnet. The cathedral's precincts include the historic Abbey Gatehouse, which houses part of St Albans School, one of England's oldest schools, and the Chapter House. The Abbey Theatre is also located within the curtilage.

Notable burials and memorials

As a former great abbey, the site contains many significant burials and memorials. These include Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, brother of Henry V; the 14th-century chronicler Thomas Walsingham; and Robert of Geneva, who later became Antipope Clement VII. A memorial slab commemorates the only Prime Minister of the United Kingdom buried here, Lord Grimthorpe, who funded and controversially directed the Victorian restoration. A modern sculpture by Rory Young commemorates Alban's martyrdom.

Category:Cathedrals in England Category:Grade I listed buildings in Hertfordshire Category:St Albans