“Serving Christ and transforming lives through welcome, worship and encounter”
Bradford Cathedral is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Set in tranquil gardens the Cathedral is Bradford’s most ancient place of worship, alive with peace, prayer, and a sense of story from its 13 centuries at the heart of the City.
We are a place of Anglican worship – one of three Cathedrals in the Diocese of Leeds, alongside Ripon and Wakefield – holding weekly services, as well as other special and civic events throughout the Christian year. We are a partner to other organisations, venues and faith groups in the city. Our clergy team is here to support all people in nurturing their faith, and we are available for baptisms, weddings and more.
The Cathedral runs a high-quality events programme of choral and organ music; art exhibitions and installations; and talks and family activities. We also offer an exciting programme for schools and colleges (holding the quality mark from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom), and are a heritage venue with free entry for visitors.
The building tells two kinds of story – the Christian story dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, and the Bradford story. The present church, the third on the site, was built in the fifteenth century, and includes elements from the previous building. It was later extended in the 1960s by Sir Edward Maufe.
We were awarded the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ in the 2020 Welcome to Yorkshire ‘White Rose Awards’ and were a finalist in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ category (2022) and ‘Culture Award’ (2023) of the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards and ‘Best Use of Digital – UK’ in the Museums+Heritage Awards 2022 – and you can come and see why! We have a wealth of Morris & Co textiles and stained glass; monuments marking many people and events from Bradford’s history including the Battle of the Steeple, the creation of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, and in memory of the Bradford City Fire. There’s also the WWI window; the cross and hangings in St Aidan’s Chapel, and many other plaques. More information can be found in our visitors’ guide.
Everyone is welcome at Bradford Cathedral – whether you come to pray; to explore the architecture and heritage of the building; to wander around our latest art exhibition; or to simply sit and enjoy the warmth and quiet of the building and grounds.
Our opening hours are Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, as well as for services and events. For any changes to these times, as well as to find out more about us, to book your place at an event or on a guided tour, or to hire the space, please explore this website, come to the Cathedral office, call us on 01274 77 77 20, or e-mail us on info@bradfordcathedral.org.
You can follow us on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and watch videos and streamed services on our YouTube channel.
Environmental issues are also important to the Cathedral and we hold Eco Congregation status. We were the first Cathedral to have solar panels, and work on many environmental initiatives including the Cathedral Woodland Project.
Bradford Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. For more information please visit our safeguarding page.
Mission Giving
The Cathedral community is committed to working with Mission partners, both within our local area of Bradford as well as nationally and internationally.
Eco Cathedral
Bradford Cathedral holds Eco Congregation status – the first cathedral in the north of England to receive this prestigious award.
Archive Records
If you’re looking for records of weddings and baptisms, you can find out more here.
What Is A Cathedral?
Find out about what makes a Cathedral and the Diocese of Leeds.
Cathedral strategy
Our Purpose
Serving Christ and transforming lives through welcome, worship and encounter.
Our Values
Hospitality, Wholeness, Faithfulness.
Our Strategic Priorities
- To encounter God through worship, preaching, music, our story and the arts
- To nurture faith and gifts through evangelism and discipleship for all ages, abilities and stages of life.
- To grow a healthy organization through good governance, safeguarding, staff, congregation and volunteer care.
- To resource the Church through working with the Bishop, the Diocese and our sister cathedrals.
- To enrich city life through music and the arts, special services, civic engagement, events, other faith partnerships and reconciliation.
- To achieve financial sustainability through good stewardship, income growth and fundraising.
- To conserve and develop our heritage through marketing, visitor engagement and education, partnership and fulfilling our ambition of being an eco-cathedral.
- To respond to human need through loving service.
In the media
In print
Every Day Bradford (Martin Greenwood) (2021)
111 Places in Bradford That You Shouldn’t Miss (Cath Muldowney) (2022)
Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales (2022)
Annual Reports
In the press
Discover more about our appearances in the press this month, or visit our archive to see historical articles.
January - July 2024
Service for School Leavers (Telegraph and Argus) (15th July 2024)
Routes, Networks And Connections: Bradford’s Heritage Open Days Event (15th July 2024)
Awards Boost for Cathedral Music (12th July 2024)
Wow!: The ‘Coat of Hopes’ carries its environmental message across the UK (9th July 2024)
Man aiming to run 62 ultramarathons in 62 days around England (8th July 2024)
Dogs at Polling Stations (Telegraph and Argus) (6th July 2024)
Coat of Hopes’ pilgrimage continues after stay in Haworth (4th July 2024)
Writer to run 62 ultramarathons in 62 days across England (2nd July 2024)
Grammy winning musician comes to Bradford Cathedral (2nd July 2024)
Actors Community Theatre Return To Bradford Cathedral For Latest Outdoor Shakespeare (2nd July 2024)
Photo story: Climate stories (28th June 2024)
Coat of Hopes on UK pilgrimage coming to Mirfield’s Community of the Resurrection (28th June 2024)
Expanding Tapestry Explained at Cathedral (Yorkshire Post) (25th June 2024)
‘Coat of Hopes’ is coming to Haworth as part of pilgrimage (23rd June 2024)
Cathedral Ceilings – Always Look Up (18th June 2024)
Vote For Bradford Cathedral In The Heritage Open Day Anniversary Gallery (14th June 2024)
Colourful Comfort for Prayer (Yorkshire Post) (14th June 2024)
Coat of Hopes arrives at Bradford Cathedral (13th June 2024)
Bradford Cathedral in final to be in Heritage Open Days online gallery (12th June 2024)
Bradford Cathedral shortlisted in the Heritage Open Day 30th Anniversary Gallery (12th June 2024)
Coat of Hopes: Extraordinary ‘patchwork of emotions’ coat on display in Yorkshire this month (11th June 2024)
Coat of Hopes goes on display in city cathedral (8th June 2024)
Coat of Hopes goes on display at Bradford Cathedral (7th June 2024)
D-Day: 80th anniversary marked around Yorkshire (6th June 2024)
Bradford events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day (2nd June 2024)
Bradford Cathedral’s Pentecost events held across 2 weekends (19th May 2024)
Organist who has performed across Europe to play at Bury Parish Church (15th May 2024)
Walk Marks World Fair Trade Day (Yorkshire Post – photo) (15th May 2024)
People from all over Come and Sing at Bradford Cathedral (14th May 2024)
Churchyards to celebrate all creatures great and small (13th May 2024)
Settle vicar made special advisor in women’s ministry (13th May 2024)
Emma Johnson chat (Yorkshire Post) (11th May 2024)
Archdeacon Cat installed as new Archdeacon of Pontefract (7th May 2024)
Churchyards celebrate all creatures great and small (2nd May 2024)
Come and Sing at Bradford Cathedral this May (1st May 2024)
Rambling Revd to walk some 160 miles to raise money (29th April 2024)
Bradford Cathedral service marks 30 years of women priests (28th April 2024)
Local artists of the past showcased on Bradford Big Screen (27th April 2024)
Church Times Caption Competition – results (26th April 2024)
North Craven Area Dean’s cycle and run to Bradford Cathedral (23rd April 2024)
Diocese marks 10th anniversary with service at Bradford Cathedral (22nd April 2024)
North Craven Dean given warm send off on Settle-Ripon cycle (22nd April 2024)
Diocese of Leeds celebrates tenth anniversary with special service (21st April 2024)
International Organ Day – 20th April (15th April 2024)
Three cathedral choirs swap places as part of growing choral festival (13th April 2024)
‘Le Grand Return’ will mark 80th anniversary of D-Day (12th April 2024)
Habibur Masum in court charged with murder of young mum in Bradford (11th April 2024)
Archbishop’s visit to the Diocese of Leeds marks launch of Leeds @ 10 (10th April 2024)
Bradford stabbing: Religious leader backs city to heal from killing (10th April 2024)
Bradford Cathedral’s powerful statement after tragic death (9th April 2024)
Bradford murder manhunt: YouTube channel of suspect Habibur Masum (8th April 2024)
Bradford murder: Mum, 27, stabbed to death while pushing her pram named (8th April 2024)
Habibur Masum: Bradford murder suspect subject of UK-wide manhunt (8th April 2024)
‘We stand together’: Bradford Muslim and Jewish leaders join forces for Ramadan event (4th April 2024)
Settle area dean marks tenth anniversary of Leeds Diocese (2nd April 2024)
Ilkley man meets HM The Queen at Royal Maundy Service (1st April 2024)
Easter Lilies put on display at Bradford Cathedral (31st March 2024)
Have a go at the Church Times caption competition, and read the latest winner and top entries (28th March 2024)
Royal Opera House launches Chance to Dance in Bradford (16th March 2024)
Seventh Fairtrade breakfast held at Bradford Cathedral (15th March 2024)
30th Anniversary of Women Priests (Yorkshire Post) (15th March 2024)
Got2Sing Choir (Yorkshire Post) (13th March 2024)
Council cleans up litter following reports from residents (11th March 2024)
Celebrating Women – Internation Women’s Day Mothers Day (6th March 2024)
Mothering Sunday ‘Clypping’ (Yorkshire Post) (6th March 2024)
Bradford faith trail to offer insight into city’s culture (2nd March 2024)
Back for 2024, the Bradford Faith Trail: a unique opportunity on your doorstep! (21st February 2024)
Got 2 Sing Choir (Yorkshire Post) (20th February 2024)
Award-winning Got 2 Sing Choir to perform at Bradford Cathedral this March (19th February 2024)
Choral / Organ Scholarship (Yorkshire Post) (17th February 2024)
Peter and the Wolf (Yorkshire Post) (16th February 2024)
‘Golden ticket’ for Cathedral Singers (Yorkshire Post) (16th February 2024)
Pancake-flipping choristers and clergy race at UK cathedrals for Shrove Tuesday honours (15th February 2024)
Bradford’s Bustling Half-Term Holiday: A Symphony of Nature, Creativity, and Culture (13th February 2024)
Check out free family fun at half-term events in Bradford (13th February 2024)
Choir in harmony for flipping great day (Yorkshire Post) (13th February 2024)
Cathedrals and churches to mark Racial Justice Sunday (9th February 2024)
Harmonious Journey: Bradford Cathedral Girls Choir to Perform at Haworth’s St Michael and All Angels Church (9th February 2024)
Cathedral choir to perform at Haworth choral evensong (9th February 2024)
Chance to hit the high notes… as cathedral chorister (Yorkshire Post) (9th February 2024)
Bradford Cathedral holds Ash Wednesday service (8th February 2024)
Half term adventures made easy with MCard (7th February 2024)
The Harrogate organ builders preserving an age-old craft (2nd February 2024)
Begin with the Bard (Yorkshire Post) (30th January 2024)
Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations in Bradford (25th January 2024)
‘Unique experience’ at Bradford Cathedral on February 3 (18th January 2024)
Royal Opera House rolls out three year creative programme in Bradford (6th January 2024)
Press Releases
Here are our current press releases
