Points of Interest
The Quire
The Quire stalls were probably constructed c.1380, by a team led by the Royal craftsmen, William and Hugh Herland (father and son) who created the stalls at Lincoln c.1370. It is one of the Cathedral's most significant treasures and contains carved misericords (folding 'mercy' seats). Rood screen and some of the woodwork was added during the Victorian restoration under Gilbert Scott.
The Grand Organ
Mechanism, loft, and case designed in 1876 by George Gilbert Scott. Organ built by Whitely and Co, a local firm. Rebuilt in 1969 by Rushworth and Dreaper. There are 4,864 pipes, four keyboards, a pedal board, and 76 speaking stops. Want to hear the organ in action? Come along to our weekly organ recitals, every Thursday at 1.10pm.
Stuart Font
The Stuart Font, now situated on the floor below the West Steps, is the first object that is seen by everyone who comes into the church through any of the three principle doors. This is where people are now baptized into membership of the church.
West Window
The original Victorian window was damaged during WW2 and replaced in 1961 with this design by WT Carter Shapland. The colour scheme reflects its 1960s creation and is a ‘medieval’ design of the Holy Family and the Northern Saints. Three interlinked gold rings at the top represent the Trinity.
St Erasmus Chapel
Mosaics in the apse of this chapel at the end of the South Quire Aisle depict women’s roles in ministry: Sarepta as ‘the sustainer’, Phoebe as ‘the messenger’, and Priscilla as ‘the teacher’. Executed by the Salviati mosaic company in 1879. The chapel is in memory of Thomas Brassey, the nineteenth century railway engineer.
Consistory Court
This is the best surviving example of an Ecclesiastical (church) court in the country. Dating from about 1580, this court heard cases related to the life of the church including defamation, unpaid tithe, and marital disputes. Ecclesiastical courts allowed women to attend and represent themselves whilst on trial, so our Consistory Court has a rich record of women’s voices in a period where they are rarely heard. Originally set up in the Lady Chapel it was moved to its current location in the southwest tower in 1636.
Westminster Windows
Three Victorian windows were blown out in 1940 and were replaced by plain glass. The Westminster windows were installed in 1992, donated by Gerald, 6th Duke of Westminster in memory of his parents and to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the founding of the monastery. Designed by Alan Younger, the overall theme is ‘Change and Continuity’.
Pilgrim Porch
Installed in 2022 as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Pilgrim Porch allows the medieval wooden doors to remain open to the city, giving a view of the interior of the church from the outside, reinforcing the idea that Chester Cathedral is an open, welcoming church. Artist Stephen Broadbent designed the sculptural bronze porch with ceremonial glass doors which feature, etched in the design of a labyrinth, images significant to churches across the Diocese of Chester.
Cloisters
Chester Cathedral was once the Benedictine monastery of St Werburgh and housed at its height up to forty monks. The domestic buildings of the ‘brothers’ opened off the Cloister (the four-sided covered walkway surrounding the Garth) where they slept and carried out the everyday parts of their lives.
Creation Window
Located in Café 1092 in the Refectory, the Creation Window was commissioned from Rosalind Grimshaw and installed in 2001 to commemorate the Millennium, the window shows the ‘Six Days of Creation’ from left to right. It links science to the traditional Christian narrative of creation in the larger lights. The outline of the Hand of God stretches across the entire design.
