Westminster Cathedral

A Roman Catholic Cathedral like no other
The Architect's Journal described Westminster Cathedral as a 'great religious building which, though clearly rooted in the architectural concerns of the late nineteenth century, has timeless qualities which set it apart from more commonplace works of the age.'

Itself a supreme achievement of art, the Cathedral is home to many distinguished works of artistic merit. True to the vision of its founder, Cardinal Vaughan, successive generations have embellished the great building with decoration of the highest quality. This great house of God reflects the highest aspirations of humanity, and raises the mind toward the glories of heaven.

The Cathedral site was originally known as Bulinga Fen and formed part of the marsh around Westminster. It was reclaimed by the Benedictine monks who were the builders and owners of Westminster Abbey, and subsequently used as a market and fairground. After the reformation the land was used in turn as a maze, a pleasure garden and as a ring for bull-baiting but it remained largely waste ground.

In the 17th century a part of the land was sold by the Abbey for the construction of a prison which was demolished and replaced by an enlarged prison complex in 1834. The site was acquired by the Catholic Church in 1884.

The Cathedral Church of Westminster, which is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, was designed in the Early Christian Byzantine style by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley. The foundation stone was laid in 1895 and the fabric of the building was completed eight years later.

The awesome interior of the Cathedral, although incomplete, contains fine marble-work and mosaics. The fourteen Stations of the Cross, by the sculptor Eric Gill, are world renowned.


VISITORS INFORMATION:


Opening Times:

- Cathedral opens shortly before the first Mass of the day; doors close at 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday, with occasional exceptions. On Sunday evenings, the Cathedral closes after the 7.00pm Mass. On Public and Bank holidays the Cathedral closes at 5.30pm in the afternoon.

- Information Desk is located at the back of the nave in the Cathedral and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

- Gift shop is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.15pm, Saturday and Sunday     10.00am to 4.45pm.

- Viewing Gallery is open daily from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and from 1.00pm


Admission:Donations welcome.
Location: Nearest tube station is Victoria. Also served by bus lines 11, 24, 148, 507 and 211.
Facilities: Full Disabled Access,  Shop,  Guided Tours


Address:   
Victoria Street
London
SW1P 1QW


EVENTS:

Fr Richard Rohr OFM
Dates: 26 August 2010
Times: 26 Aug 2010 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Venue: Westminster Cathedral
Admission: Free
Fr Richard Rohr delivers a talk.

Organ Recital: David Hill
Dates: 20 October 2010
Times: 20 Oct 2010 7:00 PM
Venue: Westminster Cathedral
Admission: Free

Tour of Lambeth Palace
Dates: 30 September 2010
Times: 30 Sep 2010 11:00 AM
Venue: Westminster Cathedral
Admission: From £11.00
A guided tour of the historic Lambeth Palace, London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Tour of Parliament and the Jewel Tower
Dates: 22 October 2010
Times: 22 Oct 2010 2:30 PM
Venue: Westminster Cathedral
Admission: From £15.00

Secret Tour of the Cathedral
Dates: 20 July 2010 to 19 August 2010
Times: 20 Jul 2010 6:45 PM; 19 Aug 2010 6:45 PM
Venue: Westminster Cathedral
Admission: From £15.00