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As Cathedrals go, the Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin, St. Peter and St. Cedd is one of the smallest - indeed no larger than some parish churches in the Diocese. But what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in warmth, light and colour. It has a modern look which makes it hard to believe that parts of the building date back to the early 1400's. The fifteenth century perpendicular Gothic architecture replaced an earlier church built in the eleventh century.
The Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Peter and St. Cedd Chelmsford is a parish church as well as the Mother Cathedral church for the whole Chelmsford diocese of Essex and five Eastern London Boroughs. It became a Cathedral in 1914 when the new Diocese of Chelmsford was created to meet the needs of the growing population east of London and has welcomed pilgrims and worshippers over the centuries. It is the second smallest Cathedral but the second largest Diocese in the country. We have close connections with St. Peter's on the Wall, Bradwell-on-Sea.
Cedd, one of four brothers, all educated at Lindisfarne, was sent by Bishop Finnan in 654AD to begin his ministry to bring Christianity to the East Saxons. He travelled by sea to land at the old Roman fort of Othona. This ministry was very successful and one year later he returned to Lindisfarne to be consecrated Bishop of the East Saxons. On his return to Othona Cedd built a chapel over the Roman wall which he dedicated to St. Peter. This chapel still stands and regular services are held throughout the year as well as an annual diocesan pilgrimage each July. The two chapels in the Cathedral are dedicated to St. Peter and to St. Cedd. We are heirs to his work.
A new altar frontal woven by Philip Sanderson at Westdean College, Chichester, depicts the life of St. Cedd, showing the important places in his life as a tangible reminder of his work and influence in today's world. The dots show the pilgrim way - it gives a sense of presence, of understated glory. A carving of St. Peter is to be found on the South Eastern corner of the Cathedral facing in the direction of his chapel at Bradwell.
The Cathedral building has seen many changes over the past five hundred years to fulfil its role as a place of worship and to provide a base for both ecclesiastical and civil responsibilities. Changes in the twentieth century have included the enlargement of the sanctuary in the nineteen twenties; a major refurbishment in the eighties and the building of two new organs in the nineties by N P Mander. The organ in the nave is the first completely new mechanical action organ built in an Anglican Cathedral for a century. A new lighting and sound system was installed in 2000. These have all enabled the Cathedral to serve as a centre for the spiritual, teaching and artistic life of the Diocese and the community.
The two storeyed South Porch built in about 1460 is faced with stone and flint inlay known as “flushwork”. The upper storey now houses a library of theological and other works donated by Dr J Knightbridge in 1677. This fifteenth century porch was greatly enriched in 1953 as a memorial to “tasks and friendships shared” when U.S. forces were stationed in the county of Essex during the Second World War in the years between 1942 and 1945. The American window depicts the Stars and Stripes, the arms of the U.S. airforce and those of George Washington, who was the great, great grandson of a rector of Essex. The Cathedral also has much older links with the U.S.A. Thomas Hooker, whom some have called "the Father of American Democracy" was town Lecturer here before he had to leave for the New World because of his Puritan views.
On the outside of the Cathedral, at the foot of the battlements, are 16 stone carvings representing the history and concerns of Chelmsford, and the church. These are by Thomas Huxley-Jones. The weathervane is of copper, 2 metres long, and portrays a dragon coming out of the Sun.
Some other special features to look for that enhance the grace of the building:
All of these help to give this Cathedral a jewel-like quality that welcomes you and lifts the spirit. It is a place for quiet reflection and prayer as well as for participation in daily worship.
Chelmsford runs a changing programme of events that include special services, concerts, lectures, courses and talks as well as many others. To find out what's happening now, please visit the events section of our website at www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk.