Opening Times The Cathedral is open all year round 8.30am - 5.45pm Entry is FREE All donations are gratefully received. Our Box Office is located in the Cathedral Shop or you can call 01727 890290 or book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org How to Get Here The Cathedral is situated in the centre of the historic and beautiful city of St Albans. It is easily reached by car and public transport with good links from the M1 and M25, and is just 20 minutes by train from Central London. For full travel information, please go to: www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit For the latest information visit our website and sign up to our What s On Newsletter St Albans Cathedral Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 1BY Telephone: 01727 890210 Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org www.stalbanscathedral.org @stalbansabbey /StAlbansCathedralOfficial @stalbanscathedral
What s On St Albans Cathedral January April 2018 Includes Holy Week & Easter (C) Chris Christodoulou (C) Michelle Becker - Pink Soul Pictures Music Tours Family Fun Easter Number One St Albans Visitor Attraction
A Warm Welcome Awaits You at St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral stands over the place where Alban, Britain s first saint, was buried after giving his life for his faith over 1700 years ago. There are many unique sights to take in when you visit the Cathedral, plus an exciting programme of events, tours and concerts which you can find out about in this guide. We look forward to seeing you soon. Contents Page 4-5 Top Ten Highlights 6-9 Music 10 Special Services 11-13 Holy Week & Easter 14 Our Regular Services 15 The Alban Pilgrimage 2018 16 Special Events 17 Tours 18 Family Fun 19 Exhibitions 20-21 Talks & Education 22 Visitor Information Occasionally additional services and events will be added at short notice please check the website for updates www.stalbanscathedral.org or call 01727 890210. Information is correct at time of going to print. For all the latest news on the Cathedral s plans, sign up to our Alban, Britain s First Saint blog: albanbritainsfirstsaint.wordpress.com
Top Ten Highlights 1 The Shrine of Saint Alban The Shrine of Saint Alban is a site of national Pilgrimage. People have been coming here for over 1700 years and it is used as a place of prayer and stillness by visitors every day. 2 The Longest Nave in England At 85 metres, St Albans Cathedral has the longest nave in England. 3 Easter at the Cathedral Join us for special services during Holy Week and Easter, which this year falls on Sunday 1st April. See pages 11-13 for full information. 4 The Medieval Watching Loft From the Watching Loft, monks and townsmen kept guard over Alban s Shrine. 5 Stunning Medieval Wall Paintings The Cathedral has one of the oldest and most extensive series of medieval wall paintings surviving today, ranging from the late 12th century to the 16th century. 6 The Bell Tower St Albans is the only major church in England with a great crossing tower of the 11th century still standing. 7 Choral Evensong Time your visit to enjoy the beautiful singing of the Cathedral Choirs at Evensong. Tuesday to Friday 5pm. Saturday 4pm. Sunday 6.30pm. Outside of term time, there may be a visiting choir or short said service. 8 The Lady Chapel This 14th century extension to the church is dedicated to Mary the Mother of Jesus. 9 The Rose Window The magnificently coloured stained glass by Alan Younger was added to Grimthorpe s north transept rose window, and unveiled in 1989 by Diana, Princess of Wales. 10 Nave Statues Seven statues of martyrs, sculpted by Rory Young, installed in the niches of the medieval nave screen in 2015. FREE Guided Tours of the Cathedral are available daily at the following times: 11.30am Monday to Saturday 2pm Saturday 2.30pm Sunday to Friday If your time is limited, our Highlights Tour takes place at 1.05pm every day of the week. 4 Follow us on Instagram @stalbanscathedral
1 2 (C) Luke Watson 3 5 4 7 (C) Emma Collins 6 8 (C) Katie Foxton 9 10 (C) Luke Watson www.stalbanscathedral.org 5
Music How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, by telephoning 01727 890290 or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Cathedral Shop) between 10am 4.45pm Monday to Friday, 10am 3.45pm on Saturday and 1pm 5pm on Sunday. Enquiries about events can be sent to boxoffice@stalbanscathedral.org Tickets and/or programmes will also be available for all events at the door on the night unless previously sold out. New Year s Day Celebration Concert St Albans Symphony Orchestra Date: Monday 1st January Time: 7pm Conductor: Tom Hammond St Albans Symphony Orchestra s traditional New Year s Day Concert welcomes 2018 with a mix of classic American scores and favourite British light music in the glorious surroundings of St Albans Cathedral. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 17th January Time: 12.30pm Christopher Herrick, concert organist Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. International Organ Festival Concert Date: Saturday 20th January Time: 5.30pm Choir of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge, directed by David Skinner Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of the IOFS. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 7th February Time: 12.30pm Anthony Hammond, Director of Music, Cirencester Parish Church Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. Hertfordshire Chorus Date: Saturday 17th February Time: 7.30pm Beethoven Mass in C Mendelssohn Choral Symphony No. 2 Hymn of Praise Mendelssohn s Hymn of Praise proclaims the praise of God and celebrates mankind s progress from darkness to enlightenment. Beethoven's Mass in C is less well known than its famous brother, the Missa Solemnis, but it is no less beautiful or dramatic. Conductor: David Temple Grace Davidson (soprano), Kitty Whately (mezzo soprano), Joshua Ellicott (tenor) and Ashley Riches (bass) with London Orchestra da Camera 6 Call the Box Office on 01727 890290
(C) Chris Christodoulou Classical Guitar Recital Date: Saturday 24th February Time: 1pm Michael Butten performs English, German, Spanish and Italian Works by Dowland, Legnani, Bach, Arnold and Turina. Admission Free. Retiring collection in aid of the Cathedral Music Trust and Music Department International Organ Festival Concert Date: Saturday 24th February Time: 5.30pm Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, Westminster Abbey and Simon Johnson, Organist and Assistant Director of Music, St Paul s Cathedral Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of the IOFS. St Albans Cathedral Music Trust Young Musicians Competition Finals Date: Sunday 25th February Time: 1.30pm The seventh Young Musicians Competition final guarantees a wonderful afternoon of talented, local young people performing in one of the most stunning venues in Hertfordshire. St Albans School & St Albans High School for Girls Joint Schools Choral Society & Orchestra Date: Wednesday 7th March Time: 7.30pm The Joint Schools Choral Society is joined by leading baritone, Matthew Stiff, to perform a series of powerful Franco-Russian Choral Masterworks: Stravinsky s rarely-heard early cantata Zvezdoliki, the epic Prologue from Musorgsky s opera Boris Godunov, Debussy s elegant Nocturnes, all concluding with the monumental Symphony of Psalms by Stravinsky. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 14th March Time: 12.30pm Charles Andrews, London Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/music 7
Music (C) Luke Watson St Albans Bach Choir JS Bach: St John Passion (sung in German) Date: Saturday 17th March Time: 7.30pm Conductor: Andrew Lucas Written for a small congregation in mid-germany almost three hundred years ago, Bach s St John Passion is a testimony to the power of music to transcend time and place. This music still moves us with its passion and drama, and provides a powerful shared experience. Nicholas Mulroy (Evangelist), Thomas Flint (Christus), Rowan Pierce (soprano), Helen Charlston (mezzo), Peter Mitchell (tenor), Benjamin Bevan (baritone) with Sinfonia Verdi The Liturina Ensemble Date: Saturday 24th March Time: 7.30pm A performance of classical, period Chamber Music dating between 16th and 20th Centuries, by some of the greatest English and Italian composers of instrumental and vocal music including Dowland, Purcell, Handel, Britten, Boccherini, Corelli and Vivaldi. 8 Call the Box Office on 01727 890290
The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage 2018 Date: Saturday 14th April Time: 7.30pm Conductor: Harry Christophers For their 18th Choral Pilgrimage, The Sixteen explores the way Britten and Cornysh mixed sacred and secular music. Whilst Cornysh s sacred music is elaborate and rhythmically complicated, his secular music is simple yet subtly evocative. Britten is celebrated for his ability to expertly mix the two in order to showcase the voice in all its multifaceted glory. Lunchtime Organ Recital Date: Wednesday 18th April Time: 12.30pm Charles Tompkins, Professor of Organ, Furman University, South Carolina Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music funds. St Albans Choral Society: Messiah Date: Saturday 21st April Time: 7.30pm Handel s Messiah is something of a phenomenon. Since its Dublin premiere in 1742, the work has been performed across the land by a myriad of choirs. St Albans Choral Society supported by Orchestra Nova and four fabulous soloists, bring Handel s masterpiece to life in the glorious acoustic of St Albans Cathedral. Helen-Jane Howells (soprano), William Purefoy (countertenor), Christopher Bowen (tenor), Alexander Ashworth (baritone) Conductor: George Vass St Albans Cathedral Music Trust Young Musicians Competition Winners Concert Date: Saturday 28th April Time: 12.30pm A concert performed by the winners of the Young Musicians Competition. Dates For Your Diary IOF Organ Recital - Saturday 19th May Hertford Choral Society Concert - Saturday 9th June St Albans Bach Choir & Choirs of St Albans Cathedral Saturday 14th July www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/music 9
Special Services (C) Jamie Christo Epiphany & Candlemas Carol Service Date: Sunday 4th February Time: 6.30pm A beautiful service of music and readings, sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Ash Wednesday Date: Wednesday 14th February Time: 8pm Choral Eucharist with imposition of ashes, marking the start of the season of Lent sung by the Parish Singers. Taizé Service Date: Sunday 18th February Time: 6.30pm An evening service with instrumental music, a meditation and singing. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People 35th Anniversary Service Date: Wednesday 21st February Time: 7pm A service celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, giving thanks to all involved in the charity s work. Mothering Sunday Date: 11th March Time: 8am Eucharist; 9.30am Parish Eucharist; 11.15am Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir; 6.30pm Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir Quiet Abbey The Cathedral is kept open every Monday evening during Lent for prayer and reflection, from 8pm to 9.30pm. For further details, please visit www.stalbanscathedral.org/worship 10 www.stalbanscathedral.org/worship/specialservices
Holy Week & Easter During Holy Week we are invited to share in Christ s own journey, from the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the desolation of Good Friday and Holy Saturday and finally the joyful celebrations of Easter Sunday. This year, our Holy Week preacher is the Rt Revd David Wilbourne, former Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Llandaff, now honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of York. Passiontide Carol Service Sunday 18th March Time: 6.30pm A powerful meditative service of music, poetry and prayer, marking the start of Passiontide, and this year incorporating WWI poetry. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. Palm Sunday Procession 25th March Time: 9.30am Meet by the Clock Tower on the High Street, ready to set off for the procession to the Cathedral. Bring a branch or some greenery from home to wave as we walk! Compline and Address Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th March Time: 8pm Maundy Thursday 29th March Chrism Eucharist Time: 11am A sung Eucharist gathering together the clergy and lay ministers throughout the diocese for an act of commitment to ministry and the blessing of the holy oils for use throughout the following year. Maundy Eucharist Time: 8pm This service includes the washing of the feet of 12 people and is followed by the stripping of all decoration from the altars. A vigil of prayer is kept until midnight. Sung by the Abbey Girls Choir and men of the Cathedral Choir. 11
Holy Week & Easter Good Friday 30th March Today we remember Jesus death on a cross. 10am: Pre-school Children s Service On Good Friday, the Cathedral will hold a children's event for all primary school aged children. The event will involve a mixture of story-telling, activities and crafts. For more information, please visit the Cathedral website. Three Hours Devotion 12pm 1.30pm: Preaching of the Passion 1.30pm 3pm: The Liturgy of Good Friday Sung by the Cathedral Choir. 8pm: Unity at the Cross An ecumenical service organised by Churches Together in St Albans, led this year by Dagnall Street Baptist Church. Easter Eve Saturday 31st March On the Saturday, Jesus body lay in the tomb. This is a quiet day of preparations for Easter celebrations which start as night falls. 4pm: Evensong Sung by the Cathedral Choir. 8pm: Easter Vigil This first service of Easter begins quietly in darkness, but ends in joyful light and noise. Includes baptisms and confirmations from across the diocese. 12
Easter Day Sunday 1st April On the Sunday Jesus disciples found his tomb was empty, then met and ate with the risen Jesus. Easter celebrations continue with festival services throughout the day. 8.10am: Easter Sunday Worship A Eucharist to be broadcast live on BBC Radio 4. Please be seated by 7.55am. Sung by the Abbey Singers and the men of the Cathedral Choir. 10am: Combined Eucharist Sung by the Cathedral Choir, the Abbey Girls Choir and the Parish Singers. 3pm: Choral Evensong A service of Evensong to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Please be seated by 2.45pm. Sung by the Cathedral Choir and the Abbey Girls Choir. Easter Monday 2nd April Easter Monday Pilgrimage People, young and old, walk to the Cathedral from across the diocese to meet and gather in the Cathedral from 2pm. Service starts at 3pm. The Alban Bun The Original Hot Cross Bun For nearly 700 years, the Alban Bun has been a part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral and will be available to buy this Easter from the Abbot s Kitchen. This predecessor of the Hot Cross Bun is said to originate in St Albans, where Brother Thomas Rocliffe, a 14th Century monk at St Albans Abbey, developed an original recipe and distributed the bun to the local poor on Good Friday, starting in 1361. These delicious buns are best served toasted and with butter! For more information on services throughout Holy Week and Easter, please call 01727 890210 or go to www.stalbanscathedral.org 13
Our Regular Services All are welcome at Cathedral services. Sunday Services 8am 9.30am 10.30am 11.15am 11.15am 12.15pm 6.30pm The Eucharist Parish Eucharist Prayers for Healing (3rd Sunday) Choral Eucharist (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday) Matins (3rd Sunday) The Eucharist (3rd Sunday) Evensong Weekday Services 7.30am Morning Prayer 8am The Eucharist 12pm The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban 5pm Evensong (usually Evening Prayer on Monday) On Fridays, the service at 12pm is the Roman Catholic Mass. Saturday Services 8.30am 9am 12pm 4pm Morning Prayer The Eucharist The Eucharist at the Shrine of Saint Alban Evensong Services Once a Month 3rd Wednesday 10am Teddy Bear Service 4th Wednesday 10am Mothers Union Eucharist Ecumenical Services We hold regular services of different Christian denominations. Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12pm German Lutheran A service in German on the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm Free Church The first Wednesday of every month at 11am Orthodox Monthly on Tuesdays at 10.30am (check our service list for dates). A Day Chaplain is available for consultation on most days. At other times please ask to see a member of the Cathedral staff. Occasionally, special services interrupt our usual pattern of worship. A full, monthly Service & Music List is available at www.stalbanscathedral.org St Albans Cathedral is part of the international Green Pilgrimage Network, committed to raising environmental standards. For more information go to www.greenpilgrimage.net 14
Special Events WIN free tickets to your favourite attractions with Herts Big Weekend 2018! Herts Big Weekend is back with hundreds of fantastic FREE days out in Hertfordshire up for grabs. On 24th and 25th March 2018, to coincide with the end of English Tourism Week 2018, dozens of magnificent attractions will open their doors to lucky Hertfordshire residents for the annual Big Weekend. This is a chance to celebrate all that Hertfordshire has to offer and give residents the chance to enjoy an amazing day out in their county for free. You can sign up now at www.hertsbigweekend.co.uk to get all the latest news and how to enter the ballot for tickets in February. Want That Natural Smile? Call ALBANY DENTURE CENTRE Today Denture relines & repairs Cosmetic dentures Soft comfort dentures New & copy dentures Free consultations Metal framed dentures Money back guarantee Call: 01727 856 967 Evenings & weekends please ring 07968 433151 www.albanydenturecentre.co.uk 16 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson
Tours Tower Tours Enjoy the best views in town! Saturday 24th March 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Sunday 25th March 2pm 3.15pm 4.30pm Wednesday 4th April 11am 12.30pm Saturday 28th April 10am 11.30am 1pm 2.30pm Price: 9.50 This spectacular tour takes you all the way to the top of the Norman Bell Tower via the north transept gallery, the ringing and bell chambers, before your final climb out onto the roof of the tower, weather permitting. Tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Restrictions apply. See website for details. There will be more tours taking place throughout the summer. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details. Book a Tower Tour online at: www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/tours, call 01727 890290 or visit the Box Office located in the Cathedral Gift Shop. (C) Dave Wood St Albans Your local supplier of high quality, low priced print. Special Offer 10% off Order of Service design & printing 46 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1NG 01727 752077 www.printshopstalbans.co.uk Offer valid until 30th April 2018 17
Family Fun Here at the Cathedral, children s events happen all year round. We especially love to welcome children and families during the school holidays, when we run our free Family Discovery Mornings. Family Discovery Mornings Time: 10am 12.30pm Price: Free. Donations gratefully received. Romans and Saxons Date: Thursday 15th February If it weren t for the Romans and the Saxons, the Normans might never have built the Cathedral we see today! But what was it like to be a Roman or a Saxon, and which would you prefer to have been? Find out more on this exciting trail around the Cathedral, with the chance to do some arts and crafts on your way round. Easter! Date: Thursday 12th April There will be lots of fun themed activities for children on this Easter Family Discovery Morning, including hot cross bun tasting and a chocolate fondue fountain. The perfect way to end the holidays! Children s Explorer Guide Price: 1.00 Become an Official Explorer of St Albans Cathedral Whatever day you visit, with our exciting Children s Explorer Guide you can find out more about Saint Alban and follow a fun trail around the Cathedral, learning fascinating facts as you go. 18 www.stalbanscathedral.org/whatson/family
Exhibitions Museums and Galleries Trust Young People s Photographic Competition Exhibition Dates: Saturday 10th Saturday 17th March For the fifth year in a row, St Albans Camera Club will host its student photographic competition, open to photography students studying at local schools and colleges. This exhibition will display all the submitted images, including the winner and runners up. Oaklands College Exhibition: Your Future in Your Hands Dates: Friday 20th - Monday 23rd April Oaklands College students on the Foundation Diploma and Year 2 Extended Diploma are excited to exhibit in St Albans Cathedral. The project allows students to take a deep and investigative look at questions being raised by political and social changes happening in the contemporary world and express their responses from a young adult's point of view. The work will be produced from a variety of disciplines and,for some of our students this is their first public exhibition before they graduate from Oaklands College to university. Upcoming Exhibitions 1066 Mosaic Exhibition Dates: Thursday 7th June Monday 27th August For exhibition opening times, please see the Cathedral website. Unless otherwise stated, entry to exhibitions at the Cathedral is free. 19
Talks Talks marked with a star (*) are part of our Historical Women series, marking International Women s Day in March. How Can I Forgive Myself? Date: Monday 29th January Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 This talk will draw on sources from philosophy, theology, literature and real-life memoirs to explore the topic of selfforgiveness, showing its links to such characteristics as humility, pride and self-respect. Tutor: Prof. John Lippitt, Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Religion, University of Hertfordshire Love in a Post-Truth World Date: Friday 9th February Time: 7.30pm Price: 6 Attention to the truth is a work of love. Communities disintegrate where truth is not prized. Our Canon Philosopher turns to the subject of Christian love in the final of three lectures surveying Faith, Hope and Love in a Post-Truth World. Tutor: The Rev d Dr Andrew Davison, Canon Philosopher The Dean s Lecture: Mark s Gospel Date: Thursday 15th February Time: 7.30pm Price: 6 Mark is the earliest gospel, the shortest and (deceptively) the simplest and possibly the most interesting of all. The Dean investigates how much fascination is packed into this tiny, world-changing, life-changing document. Tutor: The Very Rev d Dr Jeffrey John, Dean of St Albans Cathedral Hiding in Plain Sight - The Theology of Esther and Purim Date: Monday 19th February Time: 7.30pm Price: 10 A talk about the Jewish festival of Purim, which re-enacts the story of the biblical Book of Esther. God's behind-the-scenes persona and Purim's nothing-as-it-seems practice all draw from this mysterious and magnificent book. Tutor: Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, Rabbi at St Albans Masorti Synagogue 20 www.stalbanscathedral.org/learning
Shakespeare s Women* Date: Thursday 1st March Time: 8pm Price: 10 Women play a small but significant part in Shakespeare's plays. By studying some of our favourite female characters, we find insights into the social and moral importance of women in Shakespearean drama and how they affect and are affected by the male characters. Tutor: Canon Margaret Tinsley, Tutor in Literature Revelations of Divine Love* Date: Thursday 15th March Time: 8pm Price: 5 On her death bed Julian of Norwich, a fourteenth-century Christian mystic, experienced sixteen mystical visions. This meditative performance blends music and dance to explore her visions and contemplations of divine love. Produced by the Julian of Norwich Theatre Company. How to Book Your Tickets Tickets are available online at www.stalbanscathedral.org/learning, by telephoning 01727 890290 or by visiting our Box Office (located in the Shop) between 10am - 4.45pm Monday to Friday, 10am - 3.45pm Saturday and 1pm - 5pm on Sunday. Enquiries about talks & courses can be sent to studycentre@stalbanscathedral.org St Albans Cathedral Education Centre The award winning Education Centre brings a variety of curriculum subjects to life in original and surprising ways, including R.E., History, Maths & English. Using the Cathedral as its classroom, over 14,000 children a year from nursery up to sixth form are welcomed by our team. For more information call 01727 890212 or email education@stalbanscathedral.org TringMarket Auctions Antique and Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers. Est. 1982 21
Visitor Information Abbot s Kitchen Overlooking the park, the Abbot s Kitchen serves delicious lunches, afternoon teas, children s meals and refreshments. Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 12.30pm-4.30pm The Abbot s Kitchen can also provide catering for large groups, functions and special occasions. For reservations please call 07813 343033 or email: abbots.kitchen@elior.co.uk Cathedral Shop Our Cathedral Shop has a wide range of souvenirs and gifts to suit all ages and tastes. There are gifts for special occasions such as weddings, baptisms and birthdays, plus a beautiful range of Cathedral and Saint Alban souvenirs and recordings by our Cathedral Choirs. The shop also carries an extensive range of greetings cards and post cards. It also features a wide range of books, including children s books, local interest and history titles, written by our clergy and other local authors. Opening Times Monday to Friday 10am 4.45pm, Saturday 10am 3.45pm and Sunday 1pm 5pm. For all enquiries please call 01727 890213 or email: enterprises@stalbanscathedral.org Support St Albans Cathedral St Albans Cathedral is a National Treasure and relies heavily upon the generosity of its congregation and visitors. If you would like to play a role in preserving and enhancing St Albans Cathedral for future generations you can: Make a donation by text To donate 5 simply text NAVE01 5 or to donate 10 text NAVE01 10 to 70070. Become a Friend of St Albans Cathedral The Friends are a group of people of all faiths and none - who love this place, and who help to sustain and enhance the Cathedral. Amongst the many activities of the Friends is a wonderful social programme, which is also open to non-members. For more information on becoming a Friend, email friends@stalbanscathedral.org or call 01727 890283 22