“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 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 are the winner of the Telegraph & Argus Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Awards – Leisure Venue of the Year 2024, and were also awarded the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ in the 2020 Welcome to Yorkshire ‘White Rose Awards’. Furthermore, we 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
On the screen
No Ordinary Life (2022)
Furaha Mussanzi – Rafiki Mwema (2024)
You Need To Talk About God (short film series) (2024)
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 2025
Chance to join choir at cathedral for Candlemas (Yorkshire Post – print) (18th January 2025)
Drawings of Bradford made by ex Bradford Northern rugby player (18th January 2025)
New canon and precentor appointed at Carlisle Cathedral (16th January 2025)
New webpage for women’s ministry launched (14th January 2025)
Gareth Gates in Valentine mood on return to York Barbican to croon movie love songs (13th January 2025)
Bradford named second cheapest city in Yorkshire for buyers (14th January 2025)
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture listings: All the events taking place as Bradford celebrates 2025 UK City of Culture tag (11th January 2025)
‘I always call Bradford home’ – Gareth Gates (11th January 2025)
UK City of Culture: Gareth Gates says Bradford school singing lessons ‘saved my life’ (10th January 2025)
Cathedral organ recitals help launch Bradford City of Culture 2025 (3rd January 2025)
Weekly free organ recitals to return to Bradford Cathedral (3rd January 2025)
Bradford Prepares For Cultural Transformation As UK City Of Culture 2025 (3rd January 2025)
Bradford Kicks Off UK City Of Culture 2025 With Ambitious Initiatives (2nd January 2025)
Bradford Cathedral free organ recital series returns with Music in Times of War theme (2nd January 2025)
Creativity Under Pressure: Bradford Cathedral Announces Events For First Third Of Bradford 2025 (1st January 2025)
Press Releases
Here are our current press releases
