Derby Cathedral

General information

A BRIEF HISTORY:
The original church was founded by King Edmund I in about 943 as a royal collegiate church; however, no traces of its structure survive. According to the Domesday assessors, it belonged to the King, and was served by a college of seven priests.

The current cathedral dates from the 14th century, although it appears to be based on an earlier medieval building, which drawings show was about the same size as the present church. It may be that it became structurally unstable and was pulled down. The 212 feet (65 m) tower dates from 1510 to 1530 and was built in the popular perpendicular Gothic style of the time.

Under the Protestant persecutions of Queen Mary, Joan Waste was tried for heresy at the cathedral in 1556. The execution took place on the Burton Road in Derby.
Apart from the tower, the building was rebuilt in a classical style to the designs of James Gibbs of 1725, and it was further enlarged in 1972. At the same time, the ciborium was added over the altar.

The building, previously known as All Saints' Church, became a cathedral by Order in Council on 1 July 1927.

TREASURES AND BELLS:
The cathedral contains the oldest ring of ten bells in the United Kingdom, with the 15th century tenor being older than the tower itself. A carillon in the tower uses the same bells to provide a tune at 9am, 12pm, and 6pm.

Other treasures include an 18th century nave with a wrought iron rood screen by Robert Bakewell, for which he charged the church £157.10.0d; the memorial to Bess of Hardwick; and the Cavendish brasses, including those of Henry Cavendish and Georgiana Spencer, the wife of one of the Dukes of Devonshire. The entrance gates are also by Robert Bakewell, but these were only moved to the cathedral from St Mary's Gate in 1957.

Notable 20th century additions are the stained glass windows designed by Ceri Richards, and the bronze crucifix by Ronald Pope.

PERIGRINES:
In late 2005, it was discovered that a pair of Peregrine falcons had taken up residence on the cathedral tower. In 2006 a nesting platform was installed, and they nested here in April. The same pair successfully reared chicks in 2007, 2008, 2009 and other pairs continue to do so. Webcams were installed in 2007 and 2008 to enable the birds to be seen at close-range without being disturbed by human contact.

GATES:
The entrance gates were refurbished in 2012 and renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Gates to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

THE CATHEDRAL TODAY:

Like all other Cathedrals, Derby is much more than a beautiful building. It is, as its constitution states, ‘the seat of the Bishop and a centre of worship and mission’. The Bishop gathers the clergy and people of the Diocese of Derby here for the ordinations of new priests and deacons, for the baptism of new Christians and for confirmation, for the blessing of the holy oils on Maundy Thursday and for other great diocesan occasions. Additionally he presides at the liturgy in the Cathedral at Christmas, Easter and other principal festivals.

The Cathedral is governed by the Dean and the Chapter – four priests, known as canons, and four lay people. The Dean and Canons have a particular responsibility for maintaining the daily worship of the Cathedral, as well as managing its life and ministry, assisted by the lay staff and many volunteers.

It’s mission involves schools work and adult education, welcome and hospitality to visitors, pilgrims and to people in distress of one mind or another, sharing the Christian faith and engaging in dialogue with enquirers and with those of other faiths, and working in close co-operation with the City, the University and other institutions.

Although a Church of England Cathedral, it tries to be a holy place and a sign of unity for Christians of many traditions and a meeting place of faiths.

The Cathedral is supported in its ministry daily by a large team of volunteers who include the people who welcome visitors to the Cathedral, the Cathedral Centre and Bridge Chapel. The Friends of the Cathedral are a company of those who care for the Cathedral building and its mission and support it financially.

New members and volunteers are always welcome to help carry forward the mission and life of this ancient and holy place.

Each day the Eucharist, with its origins in the Last Supper on the night before Jesus died, is celebrated around the altar in the Cathedral. On Sundays and festivals it is a sung service, with one of the Cathedral’s three choirs leading the music and with the participation of the Cathedral’s regular congregation, which also contributes much to it’s life through the week. The Cathedral also hosts many occasions through the year when the wider communities of the city and county come to mark significant occasions in local and national life. It is the setting also for concerts, recitals, festivals and exhibitions.

Amidst all this activity in what is very much a ‘working Cathedral’, there are nevertheless long periods of calm and quiet and visitors are always welcome to walk round, to sit and enjoy its peace, to join in worship, to light a candle or pray.