Southwark Cathedral

History

TowerSouthwark Cathedral stands on a site which has been a place of Christian witness since 606. It was in 606 that a daughter of a ferryman founded a convent of nuns here. In 1106 an Augustinian Priory was established on the site, which is adjacent to London Bridge - the only bridge crossing to the City of London, situated on the other side of the river Thames, until the 18th century. It was known as the Priory of St Mary Overie (Overie = over the rye, or river). For most of its’ history it was under the auspices of the Bishops’ of Winchester. The ruins of the Bishops’ Palace and the site of their prison (Clink Prison) can be seen nearby.

Surrendered to King Henry VIII in 1539, it subsequently became the parish church of St Saviour’s. With the establishment of the theatres on the south side of the Thames, it was the parish church for the Elizabethan actors and playwrights, including William Shakespeare.

With the creation of a new Anglican diocese serving the south of London, in 1905 the building received Cathedral status. Its’ full title is The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie. Nowadays, it is in the heart of a burgeoning business community and a rejuvenated Bankside attracting increasing numbers within its congregations and visitors alike.

The Cathedral is the oldest Gothic church in London. There is a memorial to one of its’ most famous parishioners of the past, William Shakespeare, and a window depicting characters from his plays. William’s younger brother, Edmond, is buried here. There is a Chapel to the memory of US-University benefactor, John Harvard. John was baptized here in 1607. The Cathedral also contains the tombs of John Gower, the Father of English Poetry (d 1408) and that of Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, one of the translators of the King James Authorised Version of the Bible.

There are also many other interesting memorials and tombs to past merchants and servants of monarchs. The St Andrew’s Chapel is designated for those with AIDS and HIV.

In 2001 Dr Nelson Mandela official opened major new buildings on the north (riverside) of the Cathedral complex. These contain a library, meeting and conference rooms, a Shop and Refectory / Restaurant.

These buildings are linked to the Cathedral by a glass-covered ‘street’ which echoes the line of a Victorian alley that ran close to the church. From a viewing platform within this ‘link’, one can see the gravelled surface of the Roman road that ran from the bridgehead across the Cathedral site to meet the riverbank opposite the Houses of Parliament and the Saxon foundations of the early church. To the east of the medieval remains are brick arches of a 17th century pottery kiln.
In the Churchyard Gardens there is a memorial to Mahomet Weyonomon, the 18th century leader of the American Mohegan tribe,who is buried here.

 

Architecture

London’s oldest gothic church, much of the building dates from the 13th century onwards although there is visual evidence of the earlier 12th cenutry Norman church.

Local Interest

The Cathedral is situated within a vibrant and changing area of London known as Bankside. In the past this was the entertainment area for the City and it has a rich and colourful past. Nowadays it is re-inventing itself as the place to visit. Former warehouses are now converted to loft appartments and offices and there are numerous restaurants catering for every taste. London's Larder operates on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from the nearby Borough Market and often TV chiefs can be spotted there doing making their purchases. The area is also often used for filming.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Tate Modern
Bankside Gallery
Vinopolis - Wine Tasting Experience
St Paul's Cathedral (via Millennium Footbridge)
The Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret
HMS Belfast
The City Hall
London Fire Brigade Museum
The Borough Market - site on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of 'London's Larder'