St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Cathedral
Norwich’s ‘other cathedral’, and a worthy companion for her more venerable medieval sister.
The church was commissioned by Henry Fitzalan Howard, 15 th Duke of Norfolk (1847-1917); head of the premier Catholic family in England, as a parish church for the city of Norwich. It was intended to replace the small Catholic chapel in Maddermarket (now the Maddermarket theatre). The site was that of the old city goal, just outside the walls on the west of the city. It became the cathedral of the restored catholic diocese of East Anglia in 1976.
The church was constructed between 1882-1894 to designs by the architect George Gilbert Scott (son of the more famous gothic revival architect Sir George Gilbert Scott). It was felt that the one thing Norwich lacked was an outstanding example of Early English gothic, between the Norman Cathedral and perpendicular parish churches. St John’s is a magnificent example of late Victorian gothic revival on an impressive scale, with many fine fixtures and fittings.
The tour of the tower provides an opportunity to see the roof spaces and other architectural elements close up, as well as magnificent views across the city (weather permitting!) |
