Southwell Minster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Southwell Minster
Cathedral and Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Location	Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England
Website	www.southwellminster.org
Architecture
Style	Romanesque, Gothic
Years built	c.1108-c1300
Specifications
Number of towers	3
Number of spires	2
Administration
Diocese	Southwell and Nottingham (since 1884)
Province	York

Southwell Minster is a beautiful old church in Southwell, England. Its full name is the Cathedral and Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It belongs to the Church of England. This special building is the main church for the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. It's also where the bishop of Southwell and Nottingham has his official seat. A group of leaders called the Dean and Chapter manage the Minster. It's a very important historic building.

The Minster you see today replaced an older church built in 956. Some parts from the late 1000s are still there. But most of the building was built between 1108 and about 1150. This was when it was rebuilt in the Romanesque style. Later, the choir area was rebuilt from 1234 to 1251 in the Early English Gothic style. In 1288, the chapter house was added. It has amazing carvings of plants. The Minster's choir screen is also very special.

For a long time, Southwell Minster was part of the large diocese of York. The archbishop of York even had a palace next to it. Even though it wasn't a cathedral then, it was like the main church for the area. It became a cathedral in 1884.

History of Southwell Minster

Early Beginnings

People believe the first church here was started in 627. This was by Paulinus, the first Archbishop of York. He visited the area and baptised people in the River Trent. A window in the Minster remembers this story.

In 956, King Eadwig gave land in Southwell to Oskytel, who was the Archbishop of York. A "minster" church was built there. A very old book called the Domesday Book from 1086 talks a lot about the Southwell area.

The church was rebuilt in the Norman style starting in 1108. They probably started at the east end so they could use the main altar quickly. Stones from the older Anglo-Saxon church were used again. Only a tiled floor and a stone carving (called a tympanum) in the north transept remain from the Anglo-Saxon building. Work on the main part of the church, called the nave, began after 1120. The church was finished around 1150.

The church was connected to the Archbishop of York's Palace next door. This palace is now in ruins. The Minster was a place for the archbishop to worship. It was also a college for learning about religion. That's why it's called a minster. The church's choir members come from a nearby school.

The original Norman choir area was square. It was replaced with a new one in the Early English style between 1234 and 1251. This was because the old one was too small. The chapter house, which is octagonal, was started in 1288. It has amazing carvings of plants, including some "Green Man" figures. The beautiful choir screen was built between 1320 and 1340.

Changes Over Time

The church did not suffer as much as others during the English Reformation. It was restarted by a law in 1543.

Southwell is famous as the place where King Charles I gave up to Scottish soldiers in 1646. This happened during the English Civil War. The fighting badly damaged the church. People say the main part of the church (the nave) was even used to stable horses! The palace next door was almost completely destroyed.

On November 5, 1711, lightning hit the southwest spire. The fire spread to the nave, the central area, and the tower. It destroyed roofs, bells, the clock, and the organ. By 1720, all the repairs were finished.

In 1805, a special reading stand called a lectern was given to the Minster. It used to belong to Newstead Abbey. Monks had thrown it into a fishpond to save it during the time when monasteries were closed down. It was found later when the lake was cleaned. In 1818, four panels of 16th-century Flemish glass were given to the Minster. They now fill the bottom of the East window.

The spires were in danger of falling down. They were removed in 1805 and put back up between 1879 and 1881. This was when the Minster was greatly repaired by Ewan Christian, an architect who worked on churches. The nave roof was replaced, and the choir was redesigned.

Becoming a Cathedral

Southwell Minster became a proper cathedral in 1884. It served Nottinghamshire and part of Derbyshire. In 1927, the area was divided, and the Diocese of Derby was created. The Minster celebrated its 100th year as a cathedral with a visit from the Royal family.

Architecture and Design

Inside and outside views of the nave

The main part of the church (nave), the side sections (transepts), and the three towers are Norman. They show amazing Romanesque design. These are the oldest parts of the church that are still standing.

The nave has seven sections. The columns are short and round. The triforium (a gallery above the arches) has one large arch in each section. The upper windows (clerestory) are small and round.

The arches in the central area are very tall. They reach almost the full height of the nave walls. The carvings on the pillars here show scenes from the life of Jesus.

The ribbed ceiling of Southwell Minster's choir

The western front has pyramid-shaped spires on its towers. This is unique today, but it was common in the 1100s. The current spires are from 1880. They replaced the ones burned in 1711. The large west window is from the 1400s. The central tower is one of England's best Norman towers.

The choir area is in the Early English style. It was finished in 1241. It has two levels, but no gallery. The lower level has columns with pointed arches. The upper level has two tall, narrow windows in each section. The ceiling of the choir has ribs that spring from carved supports.

The entrance to the chapter house with famous carved leaves

A capital in the chapter house carved with hops

The Southwell rood screen (pulpitum) from the choir

The chapter house and the choir screen were added in the 1300s. The chapter house, started in 1288, is octagonal. It has no central pillar. You reach it from the choir through a passage. The entrance has five layers of arches. Inside, the stalls line the walls. The windows have three lights. Many writers have noted the beautiful carvings of leaves. These carvings are very detailed and look like real plants. You can often tell what kind of plant they are, like ivy, maple, oak, or hawthorn.

The rood screen is from 1320 to 1340. It's a great example of the Decorated style. It has a front and back, with a vaulted space between them. The front is very richly decorated.

The best memorial in the Minster is the tomb of Edwin Sandys, who was Archbishop of York (he died in 1588).

Minster Staff

Leaders and Clergy

A 'Green Man' carving among the 'Leaves of Southwell'

As of 2021:

• The Dean of Southwell is Nicola Sullivan.
• The Canon Precentor is Richard Frith.
• The Canon Missioner is Paul Rattigan.

Other clergy include Priest Vicars David McCollough and Erika Kirk.

Music Staff

• The Rector Chori (leader of the choir) is Paul Provost.
• The Assistant Director of Music is Jonathan Allsopp.
• The Organ Scholar is Michael D'Avanzo.

Music at Southwell Minster

Choirs

The Cathedral Choir The Cathedral Choir has boy choristers, girl choristers, and adult singers called lay clerks. They sing for seven church services each week during school terms. The boys and girls usually sing separately. But they join together for big events like Christmas and Easter. The choir often performs concerts and travels to other countries.

Singing has been a part of Southwell Minster for hundreds of years. The tradition of daily choral worship is still strong.

The choristers (boy and girl singers) go to the Minster School. This is a Church of England school with a special music department for young musicians.

The Cathedral Choir has made many recordings and been on TV and radio. They often perform concerts and go on international tours. They also sing at local events and with other cathedral choirs.

The Minster Chorale The Southwell Minster Chorale is an adult choir. You have to audition to join. It is led by Jonathan Allsopp. The Chorale was started in 1994. Its job is to sing for services, especially when the Cathedral Choir is not available.

The Chorale sings for special evening services and on certain Sundays. They also sing for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A big event for the Chorale each year is their performance of Handel's Messiah before Christmas.

The Chorale also travels. In recent years, they have visited the Channel Islands and the Scilly Isles. They also visit other cathedrals to sing services.

Rectores Chori (Choir Leaders)

You can find a list of organists and other music directors at the list of musicians at English cathedrals.

Southwell Music Festival

The Minster also hosts the yearly Southwell Music Festival. This event takes place in late August.

Image gallery

Ground plans of the Minster

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  Plan of the minster 1839

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  Plan of vestibule and passage to the chapter house

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  Plan of the chapter house

Exterior Views

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  The west front

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  The minster from the north-west

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  The minster from the north-east

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  Door of south transept

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  Central tower, north transept, north porch, and chapter house

Inside the Nave and Transepts

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  The Norman nave, built in the early 12th century

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  Nave with the font on the right side

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  Nave of the minster

The Choir Area

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  Pulpitum and choir, looking west to the nave

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  High altar and east window of choir

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  One of the misericords in the quire

The Chapter House

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  Carvings on the left side of the portal arch of the chapter house

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  Chapter house portal capitals, right side

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  The stalls and canopies of the chapter house

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  Chapter house capital

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  Chapter house stall canopy tympanum showing green man

Stained Glass Windows

Old Illustrations

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  Southwell Minster before the original spires were destroyed by fire in 1711

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  Southwell Minster without the spires, which were removed in 1805 and replaced in 1879-81

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  The central tower and transepts

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  Bays of the choir

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  Chapter house portal, 1801

See also

In Spanish: Southwell Minster para niños

• Architecture of the medieval cathedrals of England
• English Gothic architecture
• Romanesque architecture
• Church of England