The Cathedral Church of St James
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| The Cathedral from the Abbey Gardens |
Why St James?
Why not St Edmund?
I do not always understand
these things!
But I discovered that the Cathedral also serves as the parish church of St James;
it wasn't consecrated as a Cathedral until 1914.
We arrived early (though not early enough for Morning Prayer) so everything was quiet and no-one was there to greet us. But we found a welcome leaflet and a lovely children's version too, in which much was made of the guarding of good (though unfortunately dead) King Edmund's head by 'a friendly wolf'! - until the appropriate people could come and claim it back again.
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| The Transfiguration Chapel |
This felt like a Cathedral of two halves - light and airy in the altar and chancel, dark and Victorian in the nave. A lot of work was being done (repairs to the South Aisle roof) and it feels as if a lot of money has been spent here - especially in the completion of the lovely Millenium tower and Cathedral centre. The Transfiguration Chapel was simple and quiet.
The Angels exhibition - art work by young people from a local college and displayed in the Cloister - encouraged us to think again about our images of angels!
Another interesting recent development at the Cathedral is the Edmund Centre for Arts and Theology, which aims 'to provide for those who want to explore further, and deepen their understanding of art as a universal human impulse. Often such enquiry brings us to the threshold of theological questions, questions about God.'
The Abbey gardens are beautiful,
and were already a hive of activity as we passed through on our pilgrim way.
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| Mosaic art in the Abbey gardens |
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