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Southwark Cathedral

Our blog last week was about the vibrant Borough Market. This week we turn our attention to Southwark Cathedral which you cannot fail to notice if you visit the market, as they lay side by side.

The Cathedral has a long history and is associated with many of London’s historical figures including William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. The building is impressive, although hidden from some angles due to its position adjacent to the raised rail lines as they approach London Bridge station, from other viewpoints it stands out amidst the modern skyscrapers of the city. Verbal history indicates a community of nuns settled on the site in the 7th Century but the first written records appear in the Domesday Book (1086).

In 1106, the Church became a priory following the rule of St Augustine of Hippo. Dedicated to St Mary the Church became known as St Mary Overie (over the river) which makes reference to its location South of the Thames outside the main city walls.

In 1423, the building held its only Royal Wedding, with the marriage of King James I of Scotland to Joan the niece of Cardinal Beaufort.

It was in 1905 that the church became Southwark Cathedral. The diocese it serves has a population of two and a half million people, encompassing over 300 parishes and covers the area from Kingston-upon-Thames in the west to Thamesmead in the East and Gatwick in the South. Most recent additions to the building were added in the year 2000. These included meeting rooms and a shop and refectory.

Today, the cathedral has a beautiful collection of stained-glass windows from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Although half the collection was destroyed due to the bombing of the area during World War II, many have been replaced with new designs. Historical figures who are memorialised in stained glass include Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784) author and lexicographer, John Bunyan (1628 – 1688) author of “The Pilgrim’s Progress and Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340 – 1400) best known for “The Canterbury Tales”, all of whom had local connections in Southwark. As well as being beautiful works of art, the windows tell a visual history of the area itself and are well worth lingering over during a visit to this amazing building.

Southwark Cathedral is well known for its cat, Doorkin, who became a bit of a celebrity in her own right. A stray cat, she first appeared at the Cathedral between Christmas and New Year of 2008. After accepting food for a few days, it became clear that she would make the Cathedral her home. She was made welcome by the Vergers who fed her regularly. She was given the name Doorkins the Magnificat. Visitors soon noticed her arrival and would look for her when visiting. She became so popular that she starred in an illustrated guide book of the Cathedral. She can also be found in the Cathedral shop depicted beautifully by talented feline artist, Celia Pike. Doorkins sadly passed away recently. She will be remembered forever by the Cathedral with her image engraved on a corbel crafted by Miriam Johnson.

There are three more new corbels which celebrate the history of the area of which the Cathedral has been and continues to be a part. One corbel represents the collaboration of the market and the Cathedral and the charity work they have shared in over many years. Another is a tribute to Evelyn Sharp (1869 – 1955) a local suffragette. The third recognises the bravery of a local police officer who in 2017 was among the first to respond to the London Bridge terrorist attack. He suffered terrible injuries after taking on all three attackers armed with only his baton.

The Cathedral really has been at the centre of the local community during its long history and this is reflected throughout the very structure of the building in the form of the different styles of architecture, its stained-glass windows and its corbels.

The Cathedral is a lovely place to visit. We always call in when we visit Borough Market. On several occasions we have been there when the choir has been practicing, which is a real treat and a lovely experience. We’ve also enjoyed a Christmas carol service.

The shop is a delight. There are beautiful items for sale including the lovely cards featuring Doorkins. At Christmas there are pretty decorations and advent calendars to buy.

There is a very nice restaurant with a good selection of food and drink available and on warm sunny days it’s lovely to sit in the outdoor seating area.

At the time of writing, we are in lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Cathedral is unable to open at this time. As a foot note to last week’s blog

it is worth noting that Borough Market remains open. Additional precautions are now in place, with the wearing of masks compulsory.