Middlesbrough Cathedral

Middlesbrough Cathedral, officially Saint Mary's Cathedral, stands as the principal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough in England. Located in Coulby Newham, a suburb of Middlesbrough, it is the seat of the Bishop of Middlesbrough and is part of the ecclesiastical Province of Liverpool. The current cathedral is a testament to modern ecclesiastical architecture, commissioned to serve the evolving needs of the diocese.

History and Development

The history of Middlesbrough Cathedral is marked by two distinct structures. The original church, the Cathedral Church of Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour, was constructed from 1876 and opened in 1878. Initially built to accommodate 1,500 worshippers, it served the community before the Diocese of Middlesbrough was formally established in December 1878. The first Bishop of Middlesbrough, Richard Lacy, was consecrated there in 1879. However, by the 1980s, the original building faced significant structural problems and had become increasingly isolated due to population shifts. Consequently, a new cathedral was planned.

Construction of the present Saint Mary's Cathedral began in November 1985 in Coulby Newham. The foundation stone was blessed in November 1985, and the cathedral was consecrated on May 15, 1988, by Bishop Augustine Harris. Tragically, the original cathedral was severely damaged by fire in May 2000, leading to its demolition. The site of the old cathedral is now occupied by the Cleveland Police headquarters.

Architecture and Design

The current Middlesbrough Cathedral is a modern, light-filled building designed to reflect the liturgical changes brought about by the Second Vatican Council. Key design principles included ensuring that the altar was clearly visible to all congregants and that the liturgy was audible to everyone present. The building complex encompasses the sanctuary, nave, Blessed Sacrament chapel, sacristy, church hall, narthex, and a campanile. Peter Fenton was responsible for the detailed drawings and the design of the cathedral furnishings, working from an initial outline plan by Frank Swainston.

Music and Worship

A significant feature of Middlesbrough Cathedral is its active music tradition, guided by the Cathedral’s Choral Foundation. This foundation includes several choirs, such as the Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Consort, and Cathedral Junior Choristers, all under the leadership of the Cathedral and Diocesan Director of Music. The Cathedral Choir typically leads the main Sunday morning Solemn Mass, while other choirs participate in services like Choral Vespers and Benediction on Wednesday evenings. The cathedral also boasts a notable organ built by Schumacher of Belgium, featuring two manuals and pedals with 16 stops, its asymmetric case designed to complement the cathedral's interior architecture.