Westminster Cathedral London

5 1 Reviews

Sightseeing in London - Westminster
42 Francis Street, Cathedral Piazza , Westminster, London, SW1P 1QW
+44 (0) 20 7798 9055
http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/

Westminster Cathedral is the principal Catholic church in England and Wales. It was designed by the Victorian architect John Francis Bentley in the early Christian Byzantine style. The foundation stone was laid in 1895 and the fabric of the building was completed eight years later. There is disabled access and wheelchairs are available. There is also a gift shop which is open seven days a week and a small refreshment place.

Tags: architecture, mosaics, sights

Westminster Cathedral London Reviews

Alan M.

9 reviews

Byzantium or Venice in London - First of all, contrary to the impression given in the address and the arrow, the entrance is off the Cathedral Piazza, which is between the end of Morpeth Terrace and Ambrosden Avenue. 47 Francis Street, where the arrow is, is the Cathedral Clergy House and Cathedral Administrative offices. Also Victoria is actually the nearest Underground Station, St James's Park being more like ten minutes away. (At time of writing, I have submitted amendments to the moderators).

I love this Cathedral for its Byzantine architecture and if you are there during a musical service or event the acoustics are really wonderful, no doubt helped by the lofty domes and rounded arches everywhere.

I remember my first visit many years ago when it felt very strange, gloomy and forbidding, perhaps it was something to do with the dull weather that day. I don't feel that way any more, but unless someone already likes the Byzantine style, perhaps like a good wine, it is worth getting used to and savouring.

The Cathedral gives an air of being very ancient, but it was actually built in the early 20th Century. It is perhaps worth noting that the inside of the Cathedral is not completely finished, as far as decoration goes. The original Cardinal wanted the pastoral and care of the poor to take precedance over glorifying the Cathedral. That being said the walls are clad with many interesting types of marble.

The mosaics are well worth looking at and over time more have been added. One of the advantages, perhaps, is that in its unfinished state, there is plenty of scope for adding more as time goes on. Some recent mosaics, while fitting in wonderfully with the Cathedral, are a lot more modern as well, which is interesting and with their brighter colours really add to the Cathedral's attractiveness.

I don't think it is usually open, but the Cathedral Crypt is worth seeing if an opportunity should arise. It holds the tombs of the first Archbishops of the Cathedral as well a wonderful mosaic over the altar of St Peter after he had walked on the water.

Although the Cathedral is relatively modern, the body of St John Southworth lies in reliquary in one of the side chapels, giving a link to reformation times when to be a RC priest meant death in England. Until he was caught, hanged, drawn and quartered, St John Southworth did some most valuable work caring for RC's whose worship also had to be in secret. Towards the front of the Cathedral there is also a mediaeval statue of Our Lady replacing the original that was destroyed during the reformation. (If you visit Westminster Abbey, down the road, you can see a modern copy, wonderfully carved in marble, by a Benedictine nun, which replaces the statue of Our Lady of Pew that once stood there).

Although the Cathedral is primarily a place of prayer and worship, thankfully, unlike some cathedrals who have sadly commercialised themselves too much and charge for entrance, Westminster Cathedral, (whilst no doubt being most grateful for donations), is completely free of charge to visit, apart from trips up to the top of the tower. Also there are no bouncers at the door when services are on, as happens elsewhere. Visitors can quite freely wander round the side aisles during most services. After all, why not be able to visit while the Cathedral and see it in full function as long as you are respectful and not noisy ? It is good to see what a Cathedral is for, that it is not just a kind of religious museum.

For Roman Catholic visitors as well as the usual services including the sung Liturgy of the Hours
most days, (I think the full choir sings Vespers on Tuesdays). There is ready opportunity during the day for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

By the way, there is a very basic, but reasonably priced and friendly refreshment place open down some stairs, inside, near the entrance to the Cathedral. Very handy for a break after looking round the Cathedral and the gift shop.

If you visit the Cathedral, or just dream of a visit, please pray for the writer of this review, as I pray for you.
01-05-09

Tags: architecture, cathedrals, Christian, churches, mosaics, places of worship, Roman Catholic, sights

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Westminster Cathedral London

Westminster Cathedral London Reviews

Alan M.