3.1.2 New Cathedral

UNDERSTANDING THE PLACE TODAY

3.1.2 NEW CATHEDRAL Spence’s new Modernist cathedral was consecrated and opened in 1962. It is predominantly constructed using Hollington sandstone, Conniston slate, concrete and glass. It comprises the main body of the Cathedral, with nave, baptistery and chapels, and two projecting chapels: the Chapel of Unity and the Chapel of Industry and Christ the Servant. The lower level area includes the chapter house and undercroft.

At its east end, the new cathedral houses the tapestry of Christ in Glory by Graham Sutherland and John Bridgeman’s sculpture ‘Mater Dolorosa’. The baptistery window was designed by John Piper. The windows of the nave were designed by Lawrence Lee, Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke. They face away from the congregation; opposite pairs representing a pattern of growth from birth to old age, culminating in heavenly glory nearest the altar – one side representing the Human, the other side, the Divine. The great west window is known as the ‘Screen of Saints and Angels’ and was engraved by John Hutton. The Cathedral’s foundation stone, the ten stone panels attached into the walls of the Cathedral called the Tablets of the Word and the baptismal font, were all designed and carved by Ralph Beyer.