Songs of Praise – Carlisle Cathedral

Carlisle Cathedral’s 900th anniversary celebrations will feature on the BBC’s Songs of Praise this Sunday.

Over the summer, hundreds of people have visited its Rest Under The Stars art installation created by Prism Arts as part of its 900^th events –including priest and TV presenter, the Revd Kate Bottley during filming for the Songs of Praise episode.

Songs of Praise is due to be broadcast on BBC One this Sunday, 11th September at 2.15pm.

Carlisle has taken as its theme Journey and Rest to reflect its role as a place of rest, of welcome and of giving shelter to visitors, travellers and pilgrims throughout the centuries.

Worship is at the heart of the celebrations. The Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, took part in the Cathedral’s Trinity Sunday service and former Canons and Deans of Carlisle have returned as visiting preachers throughout the year.

Events have also included a lecture from Cumbrian broadcaster and author Melvyn Bragg, a summer season of music celebrating the history and musical life of the Cathedral; a series of exhibitions including The English Cathedral by Magnum photographer, Peter Marlow and projects involving schools and communities across Cumbria.

The anniversary programme continues into the autumn with a line up of talks, concerts and events including this Saturday with author and archaeologist Max Adams, who will give a talk at the Cathedral about Carlisle’s important role following the fall of the Roman Empire – part also of the 1900^th-anniversary celebrations of Hadrian’s Wall.

The cathedral will also take part in Heritage Open Days this Saturday and next month Carlisle Cathedral will host an exhibition by artist Harvey Tye, who works with Carlisle-based charity Prism Arts and, from Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23, the Cathedral will be at the heart of the Carlisle City of Lights event.

The Revd Canon Dr Benjamin Carter, Canon Warden at Carlisle Cathedral, said:

“The year to date has been a wonderful and varied celebration of the whole life of the Cathedral in its 900 years of service to the people of Cumbria.

“We are looking forward to continuing our celebrations into the autumn and hope that as many people as possible are able to journey with us as our wonderful anniversary year comes to a fitting conclusion.”

The Cathedral’s 900th anniversary year draws to a close with a service of thanksgiving at 3pm on Sunday, November 20 when the Cathedral community will mark and recommit themselves to the Augustinian roots of the Cathedral.

The events take place in and around the Cathedral including The Fratry which reopened in 2020 following a major restoration project for the former medieval dining hall including a new cafe extension.

For a full programme of events, click here.

Carlisle Cathedral’s 900th anniversary programme is sponsored by Hayward Tod estate agents, based in Carlisle, with many of the events in the programme supported by grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Friends of Carlisle Cathedral.