Monday 25th November 2019 marks 100 years since the Parish Church of St Peter became Bradford Cathedral. To mark this centenary, the cathedral has been running events, services, concerts and exhibitions throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, culminating on Sunday with a very special celebration.
At 4pm on Sunday 24th November members of the civic, Diocesan community and guests will fill Bradford Cathedral to mark the anniversary. The congregation will be of people who have played a part in the life of the Cathedral, past and present, and we give thanks for everything that this Cathedral has given to the city and West Yorkshire in the last 100 years.
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, will preach during the celebration and there will also be music from the City of Bradford Brass Band, readings from the cathedral’s Poet in Residence, Diane Pacitti, and a quarter peal of bells, a Plain Bob Maximus, ringing out from 2:45pm. The cathedral flower arranging team have also created arrangements throughout the building in white and gold to mark the celebration.
Refreshments will follow afterwards at Kala Sangam where there will be an opportunity for everyone to share their memories of Bradford Cathedral and look through photos taken throughout the year and other memories of events that have happened in 2019.
The Charter
The charter that marked the occasion of the Parish Church of St. Peter becoming Bradford Cathedral will also be on display on Sunday, having been refurbished, remounted and reframed for the Centenary.
Dedication of the Kneelers
Sunday will also see, during the morning’s Holy Communion service, a dedication of the new kneelers created by members of the ‘Stitching the Cathedral’ team over the last four years, designed by Polly Meynell.
Bell Ringing
12 ringers from around the district will be ringing out a 12 bell peal starting at 2.45 to finish just before the service begins.
The Centenary Anthem
During the service there will be the debut of Bradford Cathedral’s Centenary Anthem, music composed by our Director of Music Alex Berry, with words by Diane Pacitti.
Take A Seat
The Cathedral will also launch its new ‘Take A Seat’ appeal. The aim is to raise £150,000 which will be used to renew all public seating in the building so that it can better serve the local community.
The Very Revd. Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford,
“2019 has been a tremendous year of an enlarged cathedral programme with many memorable highlights.
“I’m looking forward to Sunday afternoon as the culmination of our centenary year, a year of celebration. It’s a moment when we can give thanks to God for all that has been and pray for all that will be in the future.
“This cathedral is a vital part of the life of this city and Diocese and we look forward to our next 100 years.”
2019: A Look Back
2019 has been a huge year for Bradford Cathedral which has seen guest speakers including Bishop Rowan Williams; the Centenary Festival; and concerts with The Sixteen and City of London Sinfonia, as well as many talks, services and partnerships with the Bradford Literature Festival, the Shuttle Shuffle Festival and Refugee Week. Following this Sunday’s celebration there will be further events into December including concerts, carol services and family events for Advent and Christmas, details of which can be found on the Bradford Cathedral website.