Cathedral Church of St. Marie, Sheffield

Introduction

The Cathedral Church of Saint Marie in Sheffield was built in 1846-50 by Weightman & Hadfield in Gothic Revival style. The cathedral was opened on 11th September 1850. In 1980 the new diocese of Hallam was created and St Marie’s became a Cathedral.

History

The church was completed in 1850, made possible by donations from the Duke of Norfolk, his family, and parishioners. The church was re-ordered in the 1970s and a new altar installed for Mass facing the people. In 2011 St Marie's undertook an extensive programme of renovation.

Architecture and furnishings

The nave and south transept west windows were designed by Pugin. The east window was by G Goldie and the south transept south window by Wailes. The chancel reredos was designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin in 1850. The organ case of 1875 was by J F Bentley.

A shrine with alabaster figure, 1850, by Thomas Earp commemorates Fr Charles Pratt. A Gothic wall tablet with relief figures, 1885, commemorates Matthew Hadfield, architect.

The cathedral has a fully restored 1875 Lewis Organ and over 200 decorative angels. Its treasures include seven alabasters dating from the fifteenth century, a Pugin chalice, and an antique chasuble. In 2014 St Marie’s Cathedral was awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve its heritage.

The great West Window was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and made by Hardman & Co. The church is in Gothic Revival style with a cruciform plan including chancel, side chapels, lady chapel, parish room, transepts, nave with clerestory, aisles, south porch, north side chapel, and south-west tower with spire. The chancel has an arch braced hammer beam roof with ogee wind braces and traceried spandrels, all painted and gilt. The nave has a 5 bay arcade to the south and a 6 bay arcade to the north, with clustered quatrefoil piers, double chamfered arches and linked hoodmoulds.

The main panels of the West Window are arranged in pairs, with Old Testament events to the left of their New Testament fulfilment on the right. The bookshop has two stained glass windows, one showing the Baptism of Christ. There is a St Joseph window on the stairs to the Lady Chapel, also known as the Munster Chapel.

Parish life

Membership of the Cathedral Choir is open to anyone who enjoys singing, irrespective of age, sex or Christian denomination. St Marie's has a team of experienced Tour Guides who give guided tours of the Cathedral by prior arrangement.

Children make their First Holy Communion around the middle of May or early June. St Marie's offers a Journey in Faith programme for adults wishing to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

The children's Confirmation programme runs from Christmas until Pentecost, usually in late May or early June. The parish has a Guild of Saint Stephen, R.C.I.A., Choir & Music Group, and International Group. The parish is associated with Saint Maries Catholic Primary School, All Saints Catholic High School, and Notre Dame Catholic High School.

The parish has a St Marie's Bell-Ringers group. The Cathedral hosts the occasional concert and musical event, but there is not a regular programme of concerts.

Visiting

The cathedral offers virtual tours. Guide books are available in the cathedral.

The cathedral is open for private prayer seven days a week. The main entrance on Norfolk Row has automatic doors allowing level access for wheelchair users. Accessible lavatories and changing facilities are available during service times. A hearing induction loop system is available for visitors with hearing aids.

Cathedral bulletins are available in large print for those with visual impairment. The cathedral is a 5-minute walk from Sheffield Interchange and 10 minutes from Sheffield Station.