Katharine and I took time to have a look round the cathedral at Wakefield. It is a beautiful building which has recently had a major facelift.
The cathedral, situated in the centre of Wakefield on a hill on Kirkgate, is built on the site of a Saxon church, evidence of which was uncovered in 1900 when extensions to the east end were made. A church in Wakefield is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. In 1090 William II gave the church and land in Wakefield to Lewes Priory in Sussex and shortly after that a Norman church was built.
The Norman church was rebuilt in 1329, and apart from the tower and spire, rebuilt and enlarged in 1469. The church was reconstructed and altered at various times and its spire, damaged in a violent gale, was renewed in 1823.
All Saints Church was largely rebuilt in the Perpendicular Gothic style in the early 15th century and, after years of neglect in the 18th century, owes its current late mediaeval appearance to a Victorian restoration by Sir George Gilbert Scott and his son John Oldrid Scott between 1858 and 1874. In 1888, the Diocese of Wakefield was created and All Saints Church became the cathedral of the diocese.
In 2012 a major re-ordering began with significant changes to the nave. This work was completed a couple of months ago.
This cathedral has the tallest spire in Yorkshire. Its 247-foot (75 m) spire is the tallest structure in the City of Wakefield.
This shot shows the choir, looking towards the high altar.
What a beautiful building Ian - I especially like the light shining through the high windows. Thank you too for making the image come alive with your narrative.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, which put this shot on the trending and popular pages.
The blue ceiling is something I've seen in a few church buildings. The first time I saw such a ceiling was in Carlisle cathedral, where the blue panels were decorated with gold stars.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, which put this shot on the trending and popular pages.
The blue ceiling is something I've seen in a few church buildings. The first time I saw such a ceiling was in Carlisle cathedral, where the blue panels were decorated with gold stars.
Ian