BRISTOL CATHEDRAL

Gloucestershire

Full Dedication: Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity
Became a Cathedral in 1542

Bristol's Cathedral, like many others, began life as a Monastery, in this particular case a Benedictine one, which was in existence by 1102.  It was granted Cathedral status by King Henry VIII when he dissolved the Monastery in 1542.

Apparently Bristol is the only example in Britain of a "hall church" which is one where the side aisles are the same height as the central nave. Most of the exterior of the church is 19th Century rennovation, but it has been done with some thought and the Cathedral looks more ancient than it is.  A certain amount of the interior does date to medieval times, including the central tower which dates from around the time the Cathedral was inaugurated in 1542.

Bristol Cathedral was the scene of the first ordinations of women priests in the Church of England on 12th March 1994.

Photo - Andrew J. Müller

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions and Andrew J. Müller, Roy Barton
and Shaun Runham
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller
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2001