Southwark: Guided Tours in St George's Cathedral

St Georges Cathedral, Southwark, on Second Sunday of Advent

St Georges's Cathedral looked stunning in the late afternoon of 6th December for the inaugural guided tour of the building. Lambeth Tour Guides Association (LTGA) have collaborated with the Cathedral to train seven guides, who will be showing future visitors around this little-known architectural delight of South London.

Its elegant high nave was enhanced by Christmas trees on the high altar. Those gathered learnt about the completion of the Cathedral in 1848 following the labours of Fr Thomas Doyle who mobilized funds for the building. It was designed by the architect A W Pugin but there was never enough money for the planned spire. In World War Two the Cathedral was partially destroyed and rebuilding started in 1953. The new building was designed by Romilly Craze in Gothic Revival style.

With a history of more than 175 years the Cathedral boasts connection with many interesting people. Terence MacSwiney, an Irish Republican and member of Sinn Fein, was arrested for his political views and incarcerated in Brixton Prison, where he went on hunger strike and died in October 1920. Archbishop Amigo, against political opposition received his body into the Cathedral on 27th October before his funeral service the following day. A plaque commemorates this event in St Patrick's Chapel.

The newly qualified guides were obviously proud of their Cathedral, many of whom had person tales to share. Perhaps the highlight of the tour was Wendla Kernig (aged 94) discourse at the St Oscar Romero shrine. She gave a moving account of his life serving the poor and oppressed of El Salvador and his assassination in 1980.

Throughout the 90 minutes tour there was recognition of the many migrant communities beginning with the Irish, who have settled in South London and found a welcome at St George's. Strange to think that this wonderful building now stands on what was once St George's Fields, the gathering point for the anti-Catholic riots in June 1780 !

St George's Cathedral now have a cohort of trained guides who are offering tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3pm.

Please email: cathedralbookings@rcaos.org.uk for details on how to book.