Brentwood Cathedral facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brentwood Cathedral
The Cathedral of St Mary and St Helen
Brentwood Cathedral Location in Essex
51°37′10″N 0°18′23″E / 51.6194°N 0.3063°E / 51.6194; 0.3063
Location	Brentwood, Essex
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Tradition	Latin rite
Website	Brentwood Cathedral Brentwood Cathedral Music
History
Consecrated	1991
Architecture
Previous cathedrals	Enlarged by Quinlan Terry in 1991
Architect(s)	Quinlan Terry
Architectural type	New Classical
Style	Gothic Revival, English Baroque
Years built	1989–1991
Specifications
Capacity	1600
Administration
Archdiocese	Westminster
Diocese	Brentwood (since 1914)
Province	Westminster

The Cathedral of St Mary and St Helen is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Brentwood, Essex, England. It is the main church for the Brentwood Diocese, where the Bishop of Brentwood has his special chair.

History of Brentwood Cathedral

Brentwood Cathedral started as a regular church in 1861. It was built in a Gothic style, which means it had tall, pointed arches and stained-glass windows, like many old European churches. This relatively small building became a cathedral in 1917. This means it became the main church for a bishop.

Between 1989 and 1991, the church was made much bigger. The famous architect Quinlan Terry designed the new parts in an Italianate classical style. This style uses ideas from ancient Roman and Greek buildings. The original Gothic church building was kept and is now part of the larger cathedral.

Cardinal Hume officially opened the new Brentwood Cathedral on May 31, 1991. The people who gave money for the building wanted to remain a secret. In 2022, the cathedral was given a special status as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected.

Architecture and Design

The architect, Quinlan Terry, was inspired by early Italian Renaissance buildings and the English Baroque style of Christopher Wren. Wren was a famous English architect who designed St Paul's Cathedral. This mix of styles was chosen to fit in with the town of Brentwood. It also created a bright and open space for church services.

The cathedral was designed with a square shape, focusing on the main altar. This was done to suit changes in church services after the Second Vatican Council. This council made some changes to how Catholic services were held.

Work on the new part of the cathedral began in 1989 and finished two years later. The north side of the building has nine sections, each separated by Doric columns. There is also a huge half-circle entrance, similar to one at St Paul's Cathedral. The upper part of the walls, called the clerestory, is made of traditional bricks. Above this is an eight-sided dome, or cupola, which is the highest point of the building.

A special choice was made to keep part of the original 1861 Gothic church. The east side of the cathedral shows both the old and new styles side by side. They are connected by the size of the new building and the use of similar materials like stone and slate roof tiles.

Inside the cathedral, you can see all the main classical architectural styles. There are large Doric columns, Tuscan arches, and Ionic columns around the windows. You can also spot Corinthian and Composite influences on the cathedral and the organ case. These are all different types of ancient Greek and Roman columns.

The inside of the cathedral feels calm and simple. However, the ceiling is very detailed. It has Roman patterns picked out in gold leaf. All the round-topped windows are like those designed by Wren, with clear, handmade glass.

With clear windows on all four sides, the cathedral is filled with light throughout the day. The white walls and stone floor make the space feel bright and uplifting. The cathedral is lit by brass chandeliers, one of which used to be in a church in Epping.

The cross used in processions is a copy of an old design. It shows Jesus wearing a crown, but also as the crucified Saviour. The Bishop's special chair, called a cathedra, shows his role as the leader of the diocese. It was made in Italy from special stone. The base of the seat has the coat of arms of the diocese.

Consecration crosses are carved into the stone columns. These crosses were blessed, just like the altar, to show that the whole building is dedicated to God. On the day the church is dedicated, candles are lit in front of these crosses. In the east aisle, there are two rooms for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession. Across from them is a crucifix that used to be in a church in Stock, Essex.

Around the arches, there are round terracotta artworks showing the fifteen Stations of the Cross. These were created by Raphael Maklouf, a famous sculptor. He also designed the Queen's head on coins used in Commonwealth countries from 1985 to 1997. The artworks have a smooth, milky finish that makes the familiar scenes feel gentle and personal.

Music at the Cathedral

Music at Brentwood Cathedral and in the wider diocese is managed by Brentwood Cathedral Music. The Master of Music is Andrew Wright. He started the cathedral choir in 1984. The choir has grown from about thirty boys to include ladies, gentlemen, and lay clerks. The cathedral also has many boy and girl choristers, who are directed by the assistant music director, Art Wangcharoensab.

Over the years, the choir has made several recordings and performed on BBC Radio. They have also toured in countries like Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland. The choir works with the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music). They also have musical links with the Diocese of Chelmsford and its cathedral choir. This includes shared church events and training for young singers.

The large organ in the cathedral was a gift from the Diocese of Chelmsford. It came from an old Anglican church in Colchester. The organ was originally built in 1889 and rebuilt in 1931. It was fully restored by Percy Daniel & Co Ltd.

See also

In Spanish: Catedral de Santa María y Santa Elena (Brentwood) para niños

• Bishop of Brentwood
• Bishop Thomas McMahon
• Bishop George Andrew Beck
• Quinlan Terry