Truro Cathedral is situated in the City of Truro, found in the far south west of the British Isles, within the county of Cornwall. It is a Celtic County, with a strong Christian following for the last sixteen hundred years. Many of the populated areas of this county are named after Cornish Saints. Truro Cathedral is not ancient. The Cathedral exists to proclaim the glory of God through its presence and worship. St Mary’s Aisle is however, part of the twelfth century medieval parish church and has been the Seat of the Bishop of Truro since 1877. Truro Cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
With around half a million visitors in 1998, Truro Cathedral is the eighth most visited cathedral in Britain. The Cathedral is open daily. There are three services daily consisting of Morning Prayer, the Holy Communion and Evensong, which is sung on four days of the week by the Cathedral Choir. Everyone is welcome to come to the Cathedral, for quiet contemplation, prayer or worship. There is even a chance for the visitor to light a candle and even leave a prayer request.
**History of the Cathedral**
Compared with many cathedrals though out the British Isles, Truro’s does not have a long history. The first part of the Cathedral was consecrated in 1887, seven years after the laying of the foundation stones in 1880. The whole building came to completion in 1910, when the Western Towers were finally dedicated.
Truro Cathedral is the first to be consecrated in Britain since after the Reformation and this is mainly due to the hard work of John Loughborough Pearson, an architectural of great merit and his neo-gothic Cathedral. He died in 1897, ten years after the Cathedral’s consecration. Frank Loughborough Pearson, his son continued the work. Incredibly, the whole endeavour of building a new Cathedral for Cornwall only took three decades to complete, at a time when the Cornish economy was undergoing one of its many economic declines.
Edward White Benson consecrated Truro’s first bishop in 1877, a year after the Bishopric of Cornwall was established. The new Cathedral grew out from the old St. Mary’s Church (the Parish Church of central Truro) that was consecrated in 1259, for the people of Cornwall. One aisle, St Mary’s Aisle, from the old Church remains today.
The main walls of the Cathedral are of granite, coming from local quarries. The exposed mouldings and dressings are of a much softer Bath stone and are of varying quality. There is a lot of problems cause from the salt-laden air which buffets the building from the Southeast, and restoration work is constantly in progress.
The Cathedral houses some unique antiquities, the most outstanding among them being the most wonderful series of stained glass windows designed by Clayton and Bell. The windows contain some of the greatest examples of Victorian stained glass in the world. The Father Willis Organ and is world-famous. The Organ is a marvel of co-operation between an architect and an organ builder and is well worth a visit. The architecture is stunning.
**Where is it Situated**
The Cathedral is situated in the heart of Truro’s city centre. Beyond the west doors lies the commercial and shopping centre that has the effect of making access to the Cathedral extremely easy, for both locals and tourists alike.
**Cost of a Visit**
It is free to visit the Cathedral, but a donation of £2.00 per adult is suggested. A free leaflet detailing the history and layout is given to every visitor.
A team of volunteers working on a rota system mans the servery. There is a comprehensive menu for all to choose from, consisting of home-made food and ‘daily specials’. Prices are reasonable.
For example, Soup and Bread Roll is £1.75. Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding served with potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables for £3.75. Pasty and garnish for £1.95 and Cream Teas for £2.50.
*Opening hours*
Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm. Saturday: 10am to 2.30pm. Closed on Sunday.
I really like visiting this Cathedral. It is cheap yet very interesting. Musical programmes are part of the Cathedral’s contribution to the lives of the Cornish public. I spent about two hours there on my last visit. Prayers were said at eleven and a pause for thought was requested. I conclude with this thought.
**A Cornish Blessing**
Deep peace of the Running Wave to you Deep peace of the Flowing Air to you Deep peace of the Quiet Earth to you Deep peace of the Shining Stars to you Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you
*For more Information*
Website: www.trurocatheral.org.uk
Or
Telephone: 01872 276782
More details
Family Friendly
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful
very helpful
