Salisbury Cathedral’s 800th Anniversary

What a way to round off your 800th anniversary …

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a specially engraved stone carved from the same seam that built the Cathedral 800 years ago at a service to celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of Salisbury Cathedral.

The commemorative stone, made of 150-million-year-old Upper Jurassic Limestone, was extracted from the same seam as the stone originally used to build the Cathedral and the stone will remain on display in the Cathedral until this Saturday (12 December) after which it will placed high up at the East end of the Cathedral, where restoration work is currently underway, for future generations to discover.

After the stone was unveiled His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales said:

“As we gather here, we are profoundly aware of all those who have gone before us, who have bequeathed us the magnificent legacy of this glorious building, and who have maintained the spiritual community which has kept the flame of faith alive here for so many centuries.

“Over the years, each challenge in turn has been overcome, and that is the case today when, thanks to the inspiring work of all those who have been involved in providing vaccines, we can now look forward with renewed hope.

“The work of building, of maintaining and of protecting for the future is for us all to take forward, in each generation – as you have done so splendidly here,” he added.

The Royal Highnesses signed the visitors’ book and met Cathedral staff and volunteers in the Cloister.

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, said:

“We are delighted that 2020 is drawing to a close with a royal visit to mark our 800th Anniversary. This is an occasion when Cathedral, city and the region can remember and give thanks for our shared past, and look ahead with hope and confidence.”

Photos by Ash Mills.