Timeline
History
/
Timeline
Archives
701 — The First Abbey on the Site
​The first religious house on this site, St Thomas’ Abbey, was consecrated in 701 by early missionaries. It was a simple wooden structure, established as a monastic centre of prayer, study, and hospitality in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia.
876 — Destruction during the Viking Raids
The abbey was destroyed during the Great Heathen Army’s incursion into Mercia. Monks were dispersed, and the site remained abandoned for some decades.
976 — Stone Rebuilding in the Late Anglo-Saxon Period
Following the Benedictine revival, the abbey was rebuilt in stone. This new structure became a significant spiritual and cultural hub for the surrounding shire, known for its scriptorium and agricultural holdings.
1071–1209 — Collapse and Norman Cathedral Construction
The abbey collapsed in 1071 due to unstable foundations. In 1079, following the Norman Conquest of England, construction of a grand Romanesque cathedral began under Norman patronage. Work continued for over a century, with the Norman Cathedral consecrated in 1209.
1216 — Destroyed in the First Barons’ War
During the First Barons’ War against King John, Arndale was besieged and the cathedral set ablaze by rebel forces. The destruction left the site in ruins for several years.
1220–1325 — Gothic Cathedral Constructed
Work began in 1220 on a new cathedral in the Early English Gothic style. It was completed and consecrated in 1325, featuring twin rose windows, a flat east end, ribbed vaulting, and soaring spires—largely forming the cathedral that stands today.
1365 — Shrine of St Thomas
The Shrine of St Thomas was established in 1365 in the cathedral’s crypt, housing reputed relics of the Apostle Thomas. It became a prominent site of medieval pilgrimage until the Reformation.
1415 — Installation of the Great Clock and Bell
In 1415, Great Thomas, one of the largest bells in the country, was installed in the cathedral’s West Tower, accompanied by the addition of a grand mechanical clock. Together, they became iconic features of Arndale’s skyline, marking the hours and calling the faithful to prayer — a sound woven into the daily life of the city for centuries.
1536–1538 — The English Reformation
During Henry VIII’s Reformation, the monastic community was dissolved under the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The building was retained as a cathedral of the new Church of England, and in 1538, The Very Hon. Richard Donne was installed as the first Provost of the newly reconstituted chapter.
1644 — The English Civil War and Siege of Arndale
During the First English Civil War, the cathedral was briefly occupied and used as a garrison by Parliamentarian forces. Though the city of Arndale saw significant fighting and damage, the cathedral endured and came to symbolise the city's recovery.
1798 — Fire on the North Side
A severe fire broke out in 1798, destroying much of the cathedral’s north aisle and interior woodwork. Restoration took a decade, with renewed focus on Gothic detailing and stained glass restoration.
1876 — Victorian Renovation and Organ Expansion
The cathedral underwent a significant Victorian restoration in 1876, with the removal of medieval screens and the installation of a new high altar. The organ was rebuilt on either side of the quire, becoming the third-largest in the world, with over 22,000 pipes.
1890 — Completion of the Chapter House
In 1890, the Chapter House was added to accommodate growing clerical and administrative demands. Designed in High Victorian Gothic, it became the ceremonial and operational centre of cathedral governance.
1943 — Bombing in the Second World War
During a Luftwaffe air raid in 1943, the east end of the cathedral was struck and largely destroyed. Nonetheless, services continued in the nave and west end, and the building remained a spiritual beacon through the war.
1951 — Post-War Reconstruction
The east end and chapels were reconstructed and expanded by 1951, echoing the original Gothic form while incorporating modern reinforcements. The new east window, installed in 1952, commemorates peace and reconciliation.
2018 — New Leadership and Restoration
The Very Hon. Josh Davis was appointed the 65th Provost in 2018. Under his leadership, the cathedral underwent major conservation efforts (2018–2024), reinforcing the tower and restoring medieval stonework and stained glass.
2020 — Closure During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, the cathedral closed to public worship during the COVID-19 pandemic for the first time in its modern history. Services continued online, and the cathedral’s digital ministry flourished, sustaining worship and connection through uncertain times.