Your Visit to the Cathedral of St Chad

Your Visit to the Cathedral of St Chad
Assembly/Class Pack Your Visit
•  We hoped you really enjoyed your visit to the Cathedral of St Chad – it was a lovely opportunity for you all to learn all about the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Birmingham; its history and its important role in the faith of the Church. •  Always remember that the Cathedral is your Church – it belongs to you, your family and your friends and you can visit the Cathedral and aEend Mass whenever you wish. •  We hope to see you again. The Dean
Our visit to the Cathedral of St Chad
•  What was the purpose of our visit? •  Who organised it? •  Who went? •  How did we get there and back? •  Did we stay for Mass and how did we get involved with the Mass? •  What did we do at lunchIme? •  What did we see? •  What did we learn? •  How did we get on with the quiz? •  What did we do? •  Where did we go? •  What did we love the best and why? •  What didn’t we like and why? Exterior photo
The Cathedral designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-­‐1852) and consecrated on 21 June 1841. It was the first Cathedral to be built in England a[er the ReformaIon. It is known as a minor basilica because it houses the relics of a saint. In 2016 it will be the 175th Anniversary of the consecraIon. A year of celebraIon for the Mother Church of the Archdiocese. Others working and designing alongside Pugin were, John Hardman (all window and brasses), John Hardman Jnr, John Hardman Powell, Herbert Minton (Iles), W Wailes (windows), George Myers (Bishop Walsh Memorial), Peter Paul Pugin (Archbishop Ullathorne Memorial), John Aloysius PippeE (tabernacle), Peter Brownhill (small altar and lectern), JW Walker (organ), George Bernard Cox (pews and South West Chapel), SebasIan Pugin-­‐Powell (St Edward’s Chapel), Gerald J Hardman (altar in St Edward’s Chapel), Donald Taunton (St Edward’s Chapel windows), David Graebe (organ), William Warrington (Penny Window) and the countless stone masons, carpenters, poEers, sculptors and assistants. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The two levels of Cathedral and Crypt There is a difference of 38’ between each level. You can see the difference with the markings above the low windows. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Crypt entrance and St Edward Chapel from the outside
Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Heavy wooden Crypt door
Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Sculpture of Our Lord
Situated at the entrance of the Crypt. It is very detailed and very, very old. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Needle door into the Crypt
NoIce the small door within the frame of a large door. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Approach to St Peter’s Chapel
There are smaller chapels to the le[ and to the right. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK St Peter’s Chapel
The beauIful artwork is best seen in this chapel. There have been plans to restore the whole crypt, but this would cost thousands and thousands of pounds to achieve. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Pugin’s artwork
A closer look! Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Hardman Family Chapel
This is the place of rest for many of the Hardman family members. There is a plaque on the wall telling us about his children and how old they were when they died. This was to do with the lifestyle of the Victorian era. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK RestoraHon work and old ironwork
An example of the cra[smanship of the worker who made this gate. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Holy water font in Bells VesHbule
As with all churches the font is the first thing we see when entering a church. It is to remind us of our BapIsm and we do this by blessing ourselves in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit each Ime we enter Church. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Cathedral interior as seen through glass entrance doors In 2014 these glass doors were installed, allowing everyone to look inside the Cathedral. Etched on the glass are the logos for the Archdiocese (LHS) and the Cathedral (RHS). The glass doors allow the sunshine to flood into the Cathedral. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK BapHsmal font
It has the symbolic images for each of the Gospel writers, St MaEhew, St Mark, St Luke and St John. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The pulpit
A stunning example of the cra[smanship and dedicaIon to detail by the carver. This is a mediaeval piece of work and depicts four doctors of the Church – those who’s contribuIon has been very significant in making the Church today what it is. St Jerome – translated the Bible into LaIn. St Gregory the Great – Apostle of England St AugusIne of Hippo – Moral theologian St Ambrose – Preacher and teacher It was gi[ed to the Cathedral by John Talbot, the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury and owner of Alton Castle. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Statue of St Chad
Shown here with his crozier, to let us know he is a Bishop; he is holding a model of the Cathedral of St Chad in Lichfield. The only cathedral to have three spires. St Chad is the patron saint of this Archdiocese. His feast day is 2 March. When he was appointed Bishop he was ordered to travel the diocese on horseback, not his preferred on foot method. He was thrown from the horse and he injured his leg. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Statue of Our Lady
This 15th century oak statue came from the Netherlands. It is believed to be the first statue of Our Lady to be erected for public veneraIon and prayer a[er the reformaIon. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Monument to Bishop Thomas Walsh
Bishop Walsh was responsible for the building of the Cathedral. When first carved this monument looked perfect, but Pugin wanted it to look aged so he instructed the masonry workers to break pieces off and scratch markings into the stone. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Memorial brasses to Hardman family members
Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Crucifix
This stunning cross with the crucified Lord is the focal point of the Cathedral. Pugin has married a Victorian woodwork with a mediaeval Flemish sculpture perfectly, giving a sense of suspension from the great height of the Cathedral. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Some personal affects of Blessed John Henry Newman and Holy oils
are housed in the BapIstery of the Cathedral. The Holy Oils, seen on the right hand side, are blessed each year during Holy Week. Every Parish bring their own oil containers to be refilled at a special Mass called the Chrism Mass. The oils are for bapIsms, confirmaIon and for the sick. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Lady Chapel
This chapel is dedicated to Our Lady. It is beauIfully decorated. The altar is hollow – during the days of the reformaIon priests were hidden inside the alter for their protecIon. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Penny Window
Situated right next to the Lady Chapel this window was brought and paid for by the children of St Chad’s primary school back in in 1844 – some of the children’s images were used in the design of this special window. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Cathedra
The Archbishop’s seat with his crest and canopy. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The misericords
Another example of excepIonal mediaeval wooden carvings. The misericords are designed to assist priests who had to stand for long periods of Ime during Mass; the fascinaIng individual carvings on each seat provided support, whilst giving the impression that the priest was sIll standing upright. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Sanctuary
The most holy place in the Cathedral. You will noIce two altars. The High Altar at the back of the Sanctuary is the original altar and the one at the front, made in Pugin’s style, is the altar used for all masses held in the Cathedral. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The High Altar
The original altar in the Cathedral. This would have originally been hidden by a rood screen and the Priest would have celebrated Mass with is back to the congregaIon. A[er the rood screen had been removed the High Altar is on splendid show to all who visit the Cathedral. Not many people get the chance to get so close to admire the workmanship and design. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Reliquary Situated at the top of the High Altar. It is in this box that the bones of St Chad are safely kept. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Tabernacle
This enamel work was designed by Joseph Aloysius Pippet. It is designed in what is known as the arts and cra[s style -­‐ standing for tradiIonal cra[smanship using simple forms and it o[en used mediaeval, romanIc or folk styles of decoraIon. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Lecturn
This is where the Gospel, readings and prayers are read from. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK War Memorial
A memorial to the fallen from the Cathedral parish during the First World War. It contains the Roll of Honour and mementoes of many of the 200 men it commemorates. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Memorial stained glass window
Situated in the South Aisle, above the War Memorial, is this stained glass window which, in the boEom panels, depicts a Mass being said in honour of the fallen with a likeness to one of the Cathedral’s alter servers who was killed at The Front. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Pews
The pews all have different carvings of coats of arms of the Popes and English Bishops of the Ime. These make for an interesIng and varied collecIon. The pews are made from Japanese oak Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Organ
This organ took two years to build and it is the largest enIrely mechanical organ in the Midlands. In 2015 the organ will be celebraIng 25 years of musical service to the Cathedral – you wouldn’t know it was that young! Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK St Edward’s Chapel
This Chapel was designed and built by Pugin’s grandson – SebasIan Pugin Powell. In this Chapel are the most impressive stained glass windows that tell a moving story as you pass from one window to the other. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Stained glass window telling the tale of the relics
Prebendary Arthur Dudley realises that the King’s men want to destroy all that is precious in the churches across the land at the Ime of the ReformaIon. Realising that the King’s men want to destroy the shrine to St Chad he takes the relics to pass onto a trustworthy friend. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Henry HodgeQs and the safeguarding of the relics
The HodgeEs family, and others throughout Staffordshire, protected the relics for many years. In 1651 Henry HodgeEs is shown telling Fr Anthony Turner that the hiding place was on the canopy of his four poster bed frame. Then the relics were hidden under an alter at Aston Hall, nr Stone, Staffordshire. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Relics are returned to the Church
Finally the relics were transferred to the Cathedral by Bishop Walsh Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK ConsecraHon of the Cathedral
Here we see the Cathedral being consecrated. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK Tribute to the workforce
The windows contain the family coat of arms for the of religious and disInguished laymen who helped with the building of the Cathedral. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The nave roof
Looking up – which is not to be missed – you see the splendour of the paintwork. All of Pugin’s ‘colourful’ work is representaIve of giving glory to God and to all the angels and saints – nothing is le[ plain or bare. However, where mere mortals may be, the designs are o[en very plain – the pews compared to the misericords; the BapIstery compared to the Sanctuary and the floor Iles compared to the nave roof. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK The Bomb!
Finally – look up, just to the right of the Sanctuary, at the top of the South Aisle, and you will read the words ‘Deo GraIas’ (Thank God) This marks the evening of 22 November 1940 when an incendiary device fell through the roof, bounced on the floor and exploding against one of the radiators which duly burst. The water exInguished the flames from the bomb and the Cathedral survived the Second World War intact. Images copyright of the Cathedral of St Chad, Birmingham, UK