Rachel Evans
Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral are two separate buildings with almost 1,000 years of history between them. Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an Anglican Church and the coronation church of England. It is also a burial site for notable figures from English and British history, including 17 former monarchs. On the other hand, Westminster Cathedral is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. It is home to distinguished works of art, including mosaics and sculptures by Eric Gill.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Westminster Abbey a Catholic cathedral? | No, it is an Anglican Church. |
| Is there a Catholic cathedral in Westminster? | Yes, it is called Westminster Cathedral. |
| Is Westminster Cathedral the same as Westminster Abbey? | No, they are two separate buildings. |
| How far is Westminster Cathedral from Westminster Abbey? | 0.5 miles (a 15-minute walk) |
| What is Westminster Abbey? | A coronation site and burial place for notable figures from English and British history. |
| Who built Westminster Abbey? | Edward the Confessor, who ruled England from 1042 to 1066. |
| When was Westminster Abbey consecrated? | 28 December 1065 |
| When was Westminster Cathedral consecrated? | 1910 |
| Is Westminster Cathedral the largest Catholic church in England and Wales? | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church
Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral are two distinct buildings. While Westminster Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church, Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church.
History of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, consecrated in 1065, is one of the greatest achievements of Edward the Confessor, who ruled England from 1042 to 1066. It was constructed in the Norman style to replace the Saxon church at Westminster. The name "Westminster" comes from the fact that the abbey was built west of London, outside the boundaries of the city at the time.
Since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066, 40 English and British monarchs have been crowned in Westminster Abbey. It has also served as a burial site for notable figures from English and British history, including 17 former monarchs, scientists, and literary figures.
Architectural Style
The modern Westminster Abbey is primarily based on French Gothic styles, particularly those found at Reims Cathedral, rather than contemporary English Gothic styles. For example, while English Gothic architecture favours large and elaborate towers, Westminster Abbey did not have any towers until the 18th century. It also has a long, rounded apse at its eastern end, which is typical of French Gothic architecture, while English Gothic churches typically have short, square eastern ends.
Westminster Abbey as an Anglican Church
In the 1530s, Henry VIII broke away from the authority of the Catholic Church in Rome and seized control of England's monasteries, including Westminster Abbey, marking the beginning of the English Reformation. This resulted in the removal of relics, saints' images, and treasures from the abbey. In 1560, Elizabeth I re-established Westminster as a "royal peculiar", making it a church of the Church of England directly responsible to the sovereign rather than a diocesan bishop.
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Westminster Cathedral is Roman Catholic
Westminster Cathedral, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster. The cathedral is dedicated to the Blood of Jesus Christ and is home to many distinguished works of art, including hundreds of beautiful mosaics and Stations of the Cross by renowned English sculptor Eric Gill.
Westminster Cathedral is located in the City of Westminster, with its construction completed in 1903. Designed by John Francis Bentley in a 9th-century Christian neo-Byzantine style, the building is almost entirely made of brick, without the use of steel reinforcements. The unique design earned praise from Sir John Betjeman, who admired the masterful use of brick and stone. The cathedral has hosted significant events, including an Apostolic Visit from Pope John Paul II in 1982 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
It is important to distinguish between Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, as they are two separate buildings with distinct histories and religious affiliations. Westminster Abbey, an Anglican Church, has served as the coronation site for numerous monarchs and is the final resting place for notable figures in British history, including former monarchs, scientists, and literary greats. On the other hand, Westminster Cathedral, as the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, holds a significant position in the Catholic faith in London.
The history of Westminster Cathedral is closely tied to the restoration of the Roman Catholic Church's hierarchy in England and Wales in the late 19th century. The site on which the cathedral stands was purchased by the Diocese of Westminster in 1885. The construction and maintenance of the cathedral have relied entirely on the support of donors and the Catholic community, without any funding from the Vatican.
Westminster Cathedral has been recognised as a significant religious and cultural institution. It has published a monthly magazine, Oremus, since 1896, featuring articles by prominent members of the Catholic community and non-Catholic commentators. The cathedral also boasts a world-renowned choir, celebrated for its mastery of polyphony and plainchant.
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Westminster Abbey: A Coronation Site
Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been the coronation site for every English and British monarch since William the Conqueror in 1066. The only exceptions were Edward V, Lady Jane Grey, and Edward VIII, who were never crowned. The most recent coronation was that of Charles III on 6 May 2023.
The first records of the Abbey date back to the 960s or 970s, when King Edgar and Saint Dunstan moved a community of monks to the site. Construction on the church as we know it today began in 1245, when King Henry III selected it as his burial site. Henry III also wanted the Abbey to be a shrine to venerate King Edward the Confessor, to match the grandeur of French churches such as Reims Cathedral. The design included long transepts to accommodate many guests at future coronations.
The order of service for coronations at Westminster Abbey is largely derived from the Liber Regalis, an illuminated manuscript created in 1377 for the coronation of Richard II. The area used for coronations within the church is known as "the theatre" due to its suitability for grand events.
Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church, whereas Westminster Cathedral is Roman Catholic. The two buildings are separate and should not be confused.
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The History of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. It is neither a cathedral nor a parish church but a "Royal Peculiar" under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject only to the sovereign.
The origins of the church are obscure, but an abbey housing Benedictine monks was on the site by the mid-10th century. Westminster Abbey was founded in 960 AD, and the first large building was constructed in the 1040s, commissioned by King Edward the Confessor, who is buried inside. The modern Westminster Abbey is largely based on French Gothic styles, especially those found at Reims Cathedral, rather than contemporaneous English Gothic styles. The building we see today dates from the reign of Henry III in the 13th century, when he began to rebuild it in the Gothic style. Henry III wanted it built as a shrine to venerate Edward, to match great French churches, and as a burial place for himself and his family. Construction began on 6 July 1245 under Henry's master mason, Henry of Reynes.
Westminster Abbey has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs since 1066 and a burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place at the abbey since 1100. The ceremonial funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, was held at the abbey in 1997, and the state funeral of Elizabeth II took place there in 2022.
The newest part of the abbey is the Weston Tower, which was finished in 2018 and designed by Ptolemy Dean. It sits between the chapter house and the Henry VII Chapel and contains a lift shaft and spiral staircase to allow public access to the triforium, which contains the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries. The tower has a star-shaped floor plan and leaded windows with an elaborate crown rooftop. The lift shaft inside is faced with 16 kinds of stone from the abbey's history, including Purbeck marble, Reigate stone, and Portland stone.
Westminster Abbey is a treasure house of paintings, stained glass, textiles, and artefacts, as well as the burial place of some significant people in British history.
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Westminster Cathedral: A Work of Art
Westminster Cathedral, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales. It is a work of art in many ways, from its architecture to its historical significance.
The cathedral, designed by the architect John Francis Bentley, was completed in 1903. It is built in a 9th-century Christian Neo-Byzantine style, almost entirely of brick, without the use of steel reinforcements. This unique version of Byzantine-Christian architecture features a dramatic striped red-brick and Portland stone frontage, with external brick and stone banding adding to its distinctive look. The interior features a central nave, sanctuary, crypt, and 12 individual chapels, with Byzantine mosaics covering the chapels and the vaulting of the sanctuary. The whole building covers a floor area of about 5,017 square meters (54,000 square feet), with a spacious and uninterrupted nave that is 18 meters wide and 70 meters long.
The cathedral's bell tower, or campanile, stands at 284 feet high and can be seen from across the city. It is a reminder of faith at the heart of London. The three great domes of the cathedral are constructed from concrete, as Bentley resisted the use of iron in architecture. The campanile, St. Edward's Tower, is asymmetrically placed over the first bay of the outer northern aisle. Eight marble columns support a huge canopy over the high altar.
The sculptures within the cathedral are also noteworthy. The Stations of the Cross, by the sculptor Eric Gill, are considered among the finest examples of his work. The friezes of the fourteen Stations of the Cross are world-renowned.
Westminster Cathedral holds historical significance as well. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster and is dedicated to the Blood of Jesus Christ. The remains of St. John Southworth, one of the last Catholic priests put to death during the interregnum of Oliver Cromwell, are housed in a glass casket within the cathedral. The cathedral has also been visited by saints, popes, and royalty, including Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and Pope John Paul II in 1981 or 1982.
In conclusion, Westminster Cathedral is indeed a work of art, both architecturally and culturally. Its unique design, attention to detail, and historical significance make it a potent and impressive landmark in London.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church. It is a royal church where 40 English and British monarchs have been crowned. Westminster Cathedral, on the other hand, is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales.
Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral are two separate buildings located 0.5 miles apart. The Abbey is an Anglican Church and the site of every royal coronation since William the Conqueror in 1066. The Cathedral, officially the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, is Roman Catholic and is the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster.
No, they are two different buildings. Westminster Cathedral is a Catholic Cathedral, while Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church.
