Clifton Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clifton Cathedral |
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| The Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul | |
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 Clifton Cathedral
Location in Bristol
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| 51°27′35″N 2°36′59″W / 51.4597°N 2.6163°W | |
| OS grid reference | ST5727573593 |
| Location | Bristol, Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 29 June 1973 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Ronald J. Weeks, Frederick S. Jennett and Antoni Poremba of Percy Thomas Partnership |
| Architectural type | Modern - Late-Brutalist |
| Years built | 1970-1973 |
| Groundbreaking | 1970 |
| Completed | 1973 |
| Construction cost | c. £800,000 (1973) |
| Demolished | |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Cathedral Church of SS Peter and Paul | |
| Designated: | 20 December 2000 |
| Reference #: | 1271209 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1000 |
| Number of spires | 3 |
| Spire height | 49 metres (161 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Province of Birmingham |
| Diocese | Clifton |
| Province | Birmingham |
The Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Bristol, England. It's often called Clifton Cathedral because it's in the Clifton area of the city. This cathedral is the main church for the Diocese of Clifton. Since 2000, it has been a Grade II* Listed Building, which means it's a very important historic building. It was the first cathedral built following new ideas from the Second Vatican Council.
Contents
History of Clifton Cathedral
The First Cathedral Building
Before 1791, Roman Catholics in Britain were not allowed to have public churches. By the 1800s, Catholics in Bristol had small places to worship. In 1834, they started building a church in Clifton. The building work was difficult because it was on a hillside. It stopped and started many times.
In 1850, this church became the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles. A "Pro-Cathedral" is a temporary cathedral. It was meant to be used until a better, more fitting cathedral could be built.
Moving to a New Location
People from the old Pro-Cathedral parish raised a lot of money for repairs. But in 1964, engineers said the old site was not suitable. An anonymous group then donated even more money. They gave it on the condition that a new site was found for the cathedral.
From 1962 to 1965, the Second Vatican Council met in Rome. They talked about how the Church should connect with the modern world. One big idea was to make the church service (called the Eucharist) more focused on the people. This idea greatly influenced the design of the new Clifton Cathedral. It was the first cathedral in the world designed with these new guidelines in mind.
In 1965, architects were hired to design the new cathedral. The main architect was Ronald J. Weeks, working with Frederick S. Jennett and Antoni Poremba. Their company, Percy Thomas Partnership, didn't have much experience with church buildings. However, Ronald Weeks had worked on other church designs.
Designing the Cathedral
What the Architects Were Asked to Do
The architects were asked to design a church for 1,000 people. The idea was for everyone to be close to the main altar. This would help them feel more connected to the Mass (the church service). The building also needed to last for 300 years.
Ronald Weeks worked closely with the church leaders. He believed that a strong working relationship between the architect and the client was key. Even though Weeks wasn't Catholic, he felt this helped him. He could ask basic questions like "What is an altar?" This led to discussions that helped them plan the church from scratch.
The design of Clifton Cathedral was different from other cathedrals. It focused on making the church service clear and meaningful for everyone. The architects wanted the building to be functional and help people focus on worship.
How the Design Took Shape
Ronald Weeks explored many shapes for the building. He looked at designs like a shell, a fan, and a circle. The final design was based on groups of hexagons. Weeks felt that the building's shape should naturally come from its purpose.
The church was designed so that less important areas led to the most important one: the High Altar. The space inside the church grows from a lower height to a tall hexagonal spire above the altar. More daylight also enters the more important areas.
The idea was that when people entered the Baptistery, they would remember their own baptism. From their seats in the Nave, everyone would be close to the High Altar (no more than 15 meters or 45 feet away). There are no pillars to block anyone's view. The inside of the church was made to be free from distractions. This helps people focus on the Gospel and the service.
The Bishop of Clifton, Joseph Rudderham, was happy with the final design. He said it had a "fine spacious feeling" and would be a "splendid setting for the liturgy." He noted that it brought people as close as possible to the altar without crowding them.
The cost to build the cathedral was £601,268 in 1970. With the land and other fees, the total cost was £800,000. This included social spaces, parking for 200 cars, and homes for the clergy.
Brutalist Architecture Style
Clifton Cathedral is an example of Brutalism. This style gets its name from the French term "béton brut," meaning "raw concrete." This term was made popular by architect Le Corbusier.
Brutalist buildings often have simple, block-like shapes. They use bare building materials, like concrete, which is left exposed. You can often see the texture of the wooden planks used to mold the concrete. A key idea of Brutalism is that the building's shape should come from its purpose. Clifton Cathedral's design was inspired by the practical needs of the church services. It was also designed to be cost-effective.
Building the Cathedral
Construction started in March 1970. The main builder was John Laing & Son Ltd. The total cost was £800,000. The foundation stone was laid on September 26, 1970. A copper time capsule was placed beneath it.
In May 1972, construction stopped because of a national building strike. It started again in September. The building was finished in May 1973. On June 29, 1973, the new cathedral was officially opened and blessed. Many important church and city leaders were there. The old pro-cathedral was then sold. The money from the sale helped fund a new parish school.
On the outside wall of a turret, you can see the symbol '√3' and the letters PTP. This refers to the architects, Percy Thomas Partnership, and a special mathematical formula Ronald Weeks used in the design.
Outside the Cathedral
The cathedral is made from reinforced concrete that was poured on site. This concrete is pale and has aged well. You can still see the marks from the wooden molds used to shape it. The lower walls are covered with red granite panels. The roof is made of lead. Rainwater flows through simple gargoyles into small pools around the building.
Spire and Bells
The hexagonal spire rises high, holding a three-pronged cross. Inside the spire are two bronze bells. These bells are special because they were moved from the old Pro-Cathedral.
Main Doors
The original main doors were made of plywood and covered with fiberglass art by William Mitchell. They had the Coat of Arms of Bristol and the Bishop of Clifton. In 1995, new glass doors were installed, but they still have the same crests.
Katyn Memorial
Near the west entrance, there is a large stone memorial to the Katyn massacre. It was installed in 1985. Nearby are the graves of two important church leaders: Bishop Mervyn Alexander and Monsignor Thomas Hughes. His gravestone says: 'Si monumentum quaeris circumspice' which means 'If you are looking for a monument, look around you'.
Inside the Cathedral
Narthex (Entrance Area)
The narthex is the entrance area. It helps people move from the busy outside world to the quiet, spiritual space inside.
The artist Henry Haig designed the colorful windows here. They are made from over 8,000 pieces of colored glass set in metal frames. The window near the Portal of St Paul is called 'Jubilation'. It shows the joy of God's Creation. The window near the Portal of St Peter is called 'Pentecost'. It shows a swirling image of the Apostles after Jesus' death.
Baptistery
The baptistery is near the entrance. It reminds people of their own baptism, which is how they join the Church. The font is made of Portland stone and carved by Simon Verity. It is lit from above by a hexagonal skylight, representing the light of baptism. The font even has fossilized sea creatures! Around the edge of the font, it says: "Once you were no people, now you are God's People."
Sanctuary (Altar Area)
The sanctuary is the main area where the altar is. It is hexagonal. A large star-shaped beam supports the spire above it. This beam is 17 meters (55 feet) high and has hexagonal holes.
The ambo (or lectern) is where the Scriptures are read. It has fiberglass panels by William Mitchell. The altar is made of Portland stone and holds relics of two saints. The lighting makes sure the sanctuary is the brightest part of the cathedral.
The bishop's chair, called the cathedra, is what gives the church its name "cathedral." It's a simple chair with a tall ash-wood frame. Next to it are seats for the choir and clergy. Everyone sits on the same type of chairs, showing that all are equal before God.
Blessed Sacrament Chapel
Through an archway from the sanctuary is the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. This is a quiet place for prayer and smaller services. It has its own altar and a tabernacle. The tabernacle is where the Eucharist is stored. Its location here shows that it's a special place for quiet reflection.
The stainless steel tabernacle was designed to look like a tent. This reminds people of the original Jewish Tabernacle. A lit sanctuary lamp shows that the Eucharist is present.
Organ
A new organ was built for the cathedral by Rieger Orgelbau of Austria. It cost £18,000 in 1973. The organ has 1,830 pipes and a unique triangular and hexagonal ash-wood casing.
There are no columns in the nave, which is the main seating area. This means everyone has a clear view of the service. The seats are all the same, just like in the sanctuary. This shows that everyone is equal before God. The seating is arranged around the lectern and altar.
The lighting in the nave and sanctuary is carefully planned. There are no windows to distract people. Instead, the sanctuary gets light from hidden skylights. The lighting is brighter in the more important areas.
The acoustics (how sound travels) in the nave were very important. The ceiling has plywood tetrahedra to help with the sound. The cathedral now has a modern sound system. The floor of the nave is made of hexagonal tiles.
Ambulatory and Stations of the Cross
The ambulatory is a walkway around the edge of the cathedral. Here, you can find the fourteen Stations of the Cross. These are artworks showing different moments from the death of Christ. They were made by William Mitchell using a mix of concrete, resin, and nylon fibers.
- Stations of the Cross, Clifton Cathedral by William Mitchell
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus shares the Last Supper with his disciples
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus prays in the garden
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus is betrayed and arrested
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus is disowned by Peter
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus is scourged and mocked
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus is condemned to death
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus falls under his cross
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus helped by Simon of Cyrene
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus is nailed to the cross
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus speaks to his mother
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus forgives the repentant thief
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus dies on the cross
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Stations of the Cross, William Mitchell – Jesus is Risen
Lady Chapel
The Lady Chapel is a special chapel dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Christ. It has a bronze statue called 'Mary the Woman of Faith' by Terry Jones. This statue shows Mary as a simple peasant woman, not a queen.
In the Lady Chapel, there is also a Lampedusa Cross. It is made from wood from migrant boats that were destroyed in the Mediterranean Sea. This cross reminds people to care for and support migrants and asylum seekers.
Renovation Work (2015–2018)
From 2015 to 2018, the cathedral had a big renovation project that cost £3.1 million. This work fixed leaking roofs and replaced old glazing. They also re-covered the higher roof with 86 tons of new lead. Repairs were made to the stone cladding where pieces had chipped off.
Clifton International Festival of Music
The cathedral has excellent acoustics, making it a popular place for music. The annual Clifton International Festival of Music started in 2013. It features classical, chamber, and choral music. Many top artists have performed there.
Seen in Media
Clifton Cathedral has appeared in many radio and TV shows:
- The cathedral's interior was used for David Essex's music video "Oh! What A Circus" in 1978.
- It has been featured many times on BBC's Songs of Praise, including Christmas Day services.
- In 2011, it hosted the filming of a Welsh TV program called 'Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol'.
- In 2016, it was shown in a BBC Two documentary called The Hairy Builder.
- In 2020, the cathedral was used as the inside of Captain Jack's spaceship in a Doctor Who episode called "Fugitive of the Judoon".
- It hosted the live BBC TV broadcast of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve 2020.
Visiting the Cathedral
The cathedral welcomes visitors of all faiths. It is usually open during daylight hours. Please be respectful of the building and any services that might be happening.
Mass times are:
- Weekdays: 09:30
- Saturday: 10:30, 18:00 (Vigil Mass)
- Sunday: 08:00, 09:30 (Family Mass), 11:15 (Solemn Mass), 18:00
Awards for Architecture
In 1974, The Concrete Society gave its annual award to Clifton Cathedral. They praised its design and how well it was built. They said the interior was "A masterpiece of design" and that "No other material could have been used to such effect." In 2007, the cathedral won the 'Winner of Winners' Award from the same society.
The Royal Institute of British Architects also gave an award for the cathedral's outstanding design.
Gallery
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Clifton Cathedral seen from Pembroke Rd
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Nave of Clifton Cathedral, looking toward baptistery
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Blessed Sacrament Chapel
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Concrete structures and acoustic baffles in roof of nave
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Font by Simon Verity, Paschal candle stand by Ronald Weeks (left), within baptistery, looking towards nave
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Narthex windows by Henry Haig
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Station of the Cross by William Mitchell
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Pedro y San Pablo (Bristol) para niños
- Bishop of Clifton
- Diocese of Clifton
- Churches in Bristol
