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A guide to the architecture & history of Sheffield Cathedral

The Saxon cross of Sheffield (now in the British Museum) tells of a thousand years of Christian history on this site. Stones from a Norman church (11th to 12th Century), with their dog tooth pattern, can be seen set into the east wall. Apart from this, the oldest parts of the church date from the 15th Century: tower, spire and east end. The Cathedral is cruciform (i.e. shaped like a cross) with the nave and transepts intersecting at the tower whose piers and arches dominate the building.

The parish church became a Cathedral in 1914. At the end of World War One, plans were begun to enlarge the building. These involved turning the axis of the church round by 90 degrees, constructing a second tower and spire, and building a new chancel and sanctuary on the north side of the old church and a long nave at right angles to the present one stretching out on to Church Street on the south side. All the work on the north side was completed, but after World War Two the rest of the plans were not carried out. Extensions at the west end with the focal point being the Lantern Tower, were completed in 1966.

The Lantern Tower

At the west end of the nave is the Lantern roof typifying the Crown of Thorns, coming down into the Cathedral, reminding us of the suffering of Christ. The glass (1998) by Amber Hiscott is an abstract interpretation of how resurrection and the Holy Spirit (golds and reds) transforming human conflict and struggles (blues and violets) and leading to healing and growth (greens). The Lantern, with its lively colours, illuminates a joyous pathway to God.

Community Resources Centre

Facing the main entrance to the Cathedral is the stone archway entrance to the new Cathedral Community Resource Centre opened on 6 March 2007 by HRH the Princess Royal. Through this Centre, with its varied state of the art facilities, it is the Cathedral’s mission to give practical support to the most vulnerable in society and to provide educational and cultural resources for the use of the Cathedral, the City and the community of Sheffield. The large 19th Century window above the entrance by Dixon of London depicts St Peter and St Paul preaching and healing.

Beyond the glass entrance doors is the 1554 Gallery. In the well in the centre of the Gallery are two beautiful 19th Century memorial windows by Pearce of Birmingham. They show Christ and his Disciples and the Pharisees in the cornfields on the Sabbath and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. Also within the well are the Heraldic Achievements: these stone panels, taken from the 16th Century tomb probably originally designed for the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, commemorate our links with the Talbot lords, and the heraldry reflects the armorial bearings of the family.

The Chancel leading to the High Sanctuary

The most notable feature is the angel choir hammer beam roof of 1430. On the north side of the Sanctuary the centre bust of the three is the earliest known work (1805) by the great Sheffield born sculptor, Francis Chantrey. The Bishop’s throne or “cathedra” stands on the south side near the High Altar.

The Shrewsbury Chapel

This was the private Roman Catholic chapel of the Dukes of Norfolk until 1933. The altar top is medieval. The Tudor monuments are of outstanding importance. On the left is the tomb of the Fourth Earl of Shrewsbury, who died in 1538, and the effigies of his two wives on either side. On the right is the elaborate monument commemorating the Sixth Earl who died in1590. He was the fourth husband of Bess of Hardwick and guardian of Mary Queen of Scots during her fourteen years of imprisonment in Sheffield.

St Katharine’s Chapel

This Chapel was dedicated in 1935 to St Katharine and in memory of Mrs Burrows, wife of the first Bishop of Sheffield. It was refurnished in recognition of the work of women in the ministry of the church.

St George’s Chapel

This chapel was originally planned as the high sanctuary of the enlarged cathedral. Now it is a memorial chapel dedicated to those of the York and Lancaster Regiment who gave their lives for their country. The screen of swords and bayonets is unique. The links between the City and the Cathedral with HMS Sheffield are also commemorated – the most recent being the bronze anchor memorial, by sculptor Stephen Broadbent, at the foot of the steps of the Chapel.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit

The fine stained glass by Christopher Webb (1940) is based on the Te Deum Laudamus canticle “We worship thee, O Lord” – a celebration of the Church on earth and in heaven. Webb also designed the east window and the six Sheffield worthies window near the display of silver plate and a series depicting scenes from the history of Sheffield and its parish church in the Chapter House (permission to view the Chapter House may be obtained from the Vergers).

The Crypt Chapel of All Saints

Underneath the St George’s Chapel is the Crypt, a chapel dedicated to All Saints: a place of peace where the ashes of the departed are interred.

You can download our general leaflet about the Cathedral, as well as more specific leaflets about St George's Chapel, the Shrewbury Chapel, and the Stained Glass by following the links. We also have a children's leaflet here.