Cathedral Church of St. Michael and St. George
Encyclopedia
Cathedral Church of St Michael and St George serves as the Roman Catholic cathedral
for the Bishopric of the Forces
. It is located in Aldershot
, England
. The church was designed in 1892 by two military engineers and, because the building was originally intended as the principal church for the Anglican chaplaincies of the British Army
, the foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria. The trowel she used in the ceremony is exhibited in the cathedral’s west porch. However, the church was subsequently not required for this purpose and it eventually became the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop
of the Forces instead.
Long, red-brick and with a tall tower topped by a red-brick spire, the church is a prominent local landmark. Above the main door is a relief of Saint George
standing over the slain dragon. The yellow-brick interior has broad aisles and a wide nave of five bays of Early English style arches and a debased Romanesque
clerestory of two windows above each arch. The cathedral has many fine stained glass windows, of saints and Biblical scenes, by Heaton, Butler & Bayne. The ornate east end, with a rich mosaic on the reredos portraying the Last Supper
, contrasts with the simplicity of the rest of the chancel, which was reordered to provide room for a free-standing plain altar. The chancel furnishings are sparse and modern. On the south side of the chancel, the bishop's throne is a simple, substantial wooden chair, surmounted by a banner. The cathedral is sometimes the venue for musical concerts.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
for the Bishopric of the Forces
Bishopric of the Forces
The Bishopric of the Forces is the Latin-rite Catholic military ordinariate which provides chaplains to the British Armed Forces across the United Kingdom and overseas. The chaplains are drawn from the dioceses of England, Wales and Scotland, and from some religious orders...
. It is located in Aldershot
Aldershot
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland about southwest of London. The town is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The church was designed in 1892 by two military engineers and, because the building was originally intended as the principal church for the Anglican chaplaincies of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, the foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria. The trowel she used in the ceremony is exhibited in the cathedral’s west porch. However, the church was subsequently not required for this purpose and it eventually became the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Forces instead.
Long, red-brick and with a tall tower topped by a red-brick spire, the church is a prominent local landmark. Above the main door is a relief of Saint George
Saint George
Saint George was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier from Syria Palaestina and a priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Catholic , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox...
standing over the slain dragon. The yellow-brick interior has broad aisles and a wide nave of five bays of Early English style arches and a debased Romanesque
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
clerestory of two windows above each arch. The cathedral has many fine stained glass windows, of saints and Biblical scenes, by Heaton, Butler & Bayne. The ornate east end, with a rich mosaic on the reredos portraying the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
, contrasts with the simplicity of the rest of the chancel, which was reordered to provide room for a free-standing plain altar. The chancel furnishings are sparse and modern. On the south side of the chancel, the bishop's throne is a simple, substantial wooden chair, surmounted by a banner. The cathedral is sometimes the venue for musical concerts.
See also
- Catholic Church in England and Wales
- Bishopric of the ForcesBishopric of the ForcesThe Bishopric of the Forces is the Latin-rite Catholic military ordinariate which provides chaplains to the British Armed Forces across the United Kingdom and overseas. The chaplains are drawn from the dioceses of England, Wales and Scotland, and from some religious orders...