The city of Rochester dates back to Roman times, and there has been a cathedral in the city since 604 AD. This makes Rochester Cathedral the second oldest in England.

The present building dates back to the Norman period, and is a fine example of the architecture of the time. The stone building that forms the basis of the current cathedral was started by Bishop Gundulf in the 11th century.

The Great West Door of the Cathedral is 800 years old, and sits above the site of the old Saxon Cathedral. The facade above the door shows Christ seated above the 12 disciples.

The shrine of St William of Perth brought many thousands of medieval pilgrims to the cathedral. Over the years their footsteps wore down the original stone Pilgrim Steps, and nowadays they are covered with wooden steps. At the top of the steps is the Quire Screen, and above that can be seen some of the thousands of pipes of the cathedral organ.

Design painted on the quire walls

The Quire Screen contains statues of previous Bishops of the Cathedral.

Rochester Cathedral is much more than a wonderful historic building. It is also a working church, and a centre of worship and mission. Services are held daily at the following times, and you are cordially invited to come along and join in the act of worhip.

Monday - Saturday

Holy Communion: 8:00 a.m. (also at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday)
Evensong: 5:30 p.m. (3:15 p.m. on Saturday)

Sunday

Holy Communion: 9:15 a.m.
Mattins: 9:45 a.m.
Sung Eucharist: 10:30 a.m.
Evensong: 3:15 p.m.

 

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