Westminster Cathedral is the main church of the Roman Catholic community in Britain and the Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster. It is the largest Roman Catholic Church and the only example of Neo-Byzantine architecture in London. Victorian architect John Francis Bentley designed the structure which was begun in 1895 and finished in 1903.

The cathedral is quite a striking sight, quite different from any of the other churches you might see in London. The red brick exterior, over 12 million bricks in all, is stunning and owes some of its design to the influences of the Hagia Sophia, St Mark’s, and San Vitale. The large domed interior looms over the largest nave in Britain, decorated with lovely mosaics.

The cathedral has 126 different kinds of marble on its interior, more than any other building in Britain, and coming from 24 different countries. The Chapel of St Patrick is full of Irish marbles; green from Connemara and red from Cork.

In St Andrew’s Chapel, marbles are used to remind us that he was a fisherman; with swirling purple and white marble surrounded by a green wave, and an expanse of Scottish green and white marble from Iona. English marble is used in the area between St Paul’s and St Andrew’s Chapels, a lovely gray from Wirksworth.

Another very notable part of the cathedral is Eric Gill’s world-renowned set of sculptures depicting the fourteen Stations of the Cross.

The cathedral was left incomplete on the interior, due to a shortage of construction funds, with the intention that future generations would add to the building as funds were available.

Westminster has an active congregation and is a popular spot for visitors. Each week more than 8000 people come to the cathedral.

The Cathedral Choir has been active since the very beginnings of the church; today they are the only professional Roman Catholic choir that sings both Mass and Vespers on a daily basis.

You can walk or ride the elevator to the top of the 269 foot high bell tower and get a fantastic view of the city below.

Westminster Cathedral is an unusual and beautiful place to visit.

Victoria Street, Westminster, SW1P 1QW

Telephone: 020 7798 9055

Opening Times

Mon to Sat 7:00-19:00, Sun 8:00-19:00

Photo courtesy: stevecadman

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