Chelmsford Cathedral

Who we are

Chelmsford Cathedral, the Cathedral for the Diocese of Chelmsford, stands at the very centre of the county of Essex. As well as serving the whole of that richly diverse county, it also serves East London. A parish church Cathedral (it acquired Cathedral status in 1914), the building is 13th Century; but its interior, vividly and creatively reordered in the later twentieth century, glows with a vivid clarity of rare colour and warmth. It has been described as a “jewel box of contemporary art” - from the haunting and sombre external sculpture of St Peter by Thomas Huxley Jones to the green and gold of Mark Cazalet’s Tree of Life mural; from the bright ordered geometry of Beryl Dean’s patchwork at the East end of the Chancel to the stark glass etching of St Cedd in the chapel dedicated to him in the north-west corner.

At the heart of both city and county, the Cathedral is a hub for a rich variety of community activity. It’s a space for refreshment, respite and prayer for hundreds of people every day passing through its grounds. It’s a gathering place for schools, for civic events and services (such as the Justice Service and the Mayor’s annual service), for diocesan occasions such as ordinations; and, of course, the great Feasts of Christmas and Easter, where the intimate space of one of England’s smallest Cathedrals is crowded out. Its congregation is thriving and diverse, with a lively junior church, and its liturgical and musical life is flourishing, with a rapidly growing choir of young choristers (boys and girls) as well as adult singers.

Our culture and values

The Cathedral is growing its appetite for curating, hosting and theming a variety of cultural and educational events such as concerts, lectures and exhibitions. It is scoping its potential for social action in a busy city where a variety of need presents itself almost daily. And underpinning all that the Cathedral does are the daily services of prayer, song and communion, praying for a city, county, diocese and world in need of peace and compassion.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At Chelmsford Cathedral we believe in a Church that welcomes and serves, celebrates and affirms all people; and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexuality. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone. The Cathedral recognises the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing a working environment that is free from discrimination. Chelmsford Cathedral will seek to promote the principles of equality and diversity in all its dealings and all employees and those who act on the Cathedral’s behalf are required to adhere to this policy.