Monastery of St. Werburgh
| Chester Cathedral | |
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| Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
East side of the Cathedral
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 Chester Cathedral
Location in Chester
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| Coordinates: 53°11′31″N 2°53′26″W / 53.19189°N 2.89046°W | |
| Location | Chester, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | www.chestercathedral.com |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Richard Lenginour (1272–1314); Nicholas de Derneford (?)(1316–31); William Rediche(?) (1461–90s); Seth and George Derwall (1495–1530s); Thomas Harrison, George Gilbert Scott. |
| Style | Romanesque, Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 355 feet (108 m) |
| Nave width | 75 feet (23 m) |
| Nave height | 78 feet (24 m) |
| Tower height | 127 feet (39 m) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Peter Forster |
| Dean | Gordon McPhate |
| Precentor | Jeremy Dussek, Canon Precentor & Sacrist |
| Canon(s) |
Peter Howell-Jones, Vice-Dean Jane Brooke, Canon Chancellor & Canon Librarian Peter Jenner, Residentiary Canon (part-time) |
| Laity | |
| Director of music |
Philip Rushforth Benjamin Chewter |
Chester Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral and the mother church of the Diocese of Chester. It is located in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. The cathedral (formerly the abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, dedicated to Saint Werburgh) is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since 1541 it has been the seat of the Bishop of Chester.
The cathedral is a Grade I listed building, and part of a heritage site that also includes the former monastic buildings to the north, which are also listed Grade I. The cathedral, typical of English cathedrals in having been modified many times, dates from between 1093 and the early 16th century, although the site itself may have been used for Christian worship since Roman times. All the major styles of English medieval architecture, from Norman to Perpendicular, are represented in the present building.
The cathedral and former monastic buildings were extensively restored during the 19th century (amidst some controversy), and a free-standing bell-tower was added in the 20th century. The buildings are a major tourist attraction in Chester. In addition to holding services for Christian worship, the cathedral is used as a venue for concerts and exhibitions.
The city of Chester was an important Roman stronghold. There may have been a Christian basilica on the site of the present cathedral in the late Roman era, while Chester was controlled by Legio XX Valeria Victrix. Legend holds that the basilica was dedicated to Saint Paul and Saint Peter. This is supported by evidence that in Saxon times the dedication of an early chapel on this site was changed from Saint Peter to Saint Werburgh.
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Wikipedia