Sheffield Cathedral

The one-day pilgrimage route to Sheffield Cathedral runs for seven miles from Wincobank Undenominational Chapel, taking in the city’s Catholic cathedral en route

Highlights

• Original home of the Sheffield Cross

The most significant devotional object Sheffield’s cathedral can claim is unfortunately sitting in the British Museum. The shaft of the Sheffield Cross, an Anglo-Saxon carving decorated with vine scroll and an archer hiding in the leaves, was rescued from local service as a water trough and donated to the museum in the 19th century. It was perhaps a preaching cross, several examples of which are found in this part of the world, no doubt helped by the fact that Peak District bedrock is in plentiful supply.

As at several other new dioceses nearby, in a region that saw rapid population growth and industrialization, it was decided to elevate a parish church to cathedral status. In Sheffield’s case, the church of St Peter and St Paul received the honour in 1914. The oldest part of the church is the east end, containing 13th-century fabric, while the sanctuary and chancel are both late medieval. It is visited by the Padley Martyrs Way.

The cathedral has several side chapels set aside for both commemoration and quieter contemplation, including a St George Chapel honoring the York and Lancaster regiment, and a crypt chapel dedicated to All Saints. This is a repository for ashes, with icon and candlestand and walls engraved with the names of some of the city’s luminaries.

Back above ground, the St Katharine’s Chapel celebrates the ministry of women in the church, with a triptych of panels commissioned from the artist Christopher Webb, along with the window above the altar. It is a shame that none of the artworks in this chapel are actually by women, although the cathedral’s lantern tower at the western end of the nave now has a colourful abstract window design that brings light and a modern touch to the entrance of the building – and was designed by the artist Amber Hiscott.

If completing your Sheffield pilgrimage by visiting the British Museum, the medieval cross is on permanent display in G41. A similar carving to this cross can be seen at Eyam, which does at least offer an example of how Sheffield’s church and standing cross might have sat together. Sheffield’s missing artwork shows close similarities to Eyam and also Bakewell’s carvings. There is speculation that all were created by a single craft worker touched by rare genius and a considerable work ethic.

Directions‍

Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, Sheffield S1 1HA

www.sheffieldcathedral.org

W3W: swaps.craft.visual

GPS: 53.3829N 1.4697W‍

The cathedral is open every day:

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (6:30pm on Tues-Fri during term time)

Sat 9:30am-4pm, Sun 7:30am-5pm.

It is free to enter, donations welcome.