Recall the Great Smog of London in 1952. Imagine the heavy, yellow air. Now imagine St George’s Cathedral rising from that very London. This isn’t just any church. It is the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St George, Southwark. It serves as the cathedral for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark. The Archbishop of Southwark has his seat here.
St George’s Cathedral holds a significant place in history. The local Catholic community had a small chapel on London Road. The arrival of Irish immigrants necessitated a larger church. St George’s was built in 1848. Bishop Wiseman opened it. In 1852, it became one of the first four Catholic churches to gain cathedral status. This happened after the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy. It was the first in London.
Augustus Pugin designed it. He famously worked with Charles Barry on the Houses of Parliament. His design was decorated Gothic style. Yellow stock brick and Portland stone dressings were used. Pugin himself married his third wife, Jane, in this church.
The cathedral faced challenges. It was badly bombed during the Second World War. The Amigo Hall served as the pro-cathedral. Romilly Craze rebuilt it. He designed a 20th-century Gothic revival cathedral. It reopened in 1958. Surviving elements of the bombed cathedral include two chantries. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel also survived. Pugin’s son Edward designed it.
Originally, Pugin envisioned taller towers and a spire. Insufficient funding prevented their realization, both initially and during the rebuild.
St George’s Cathedral has welcomed notable visitors. The Dalai Lama visited in 1998. Pope John Paul II visited in 1982. A stained-glass window by Goddard & Gibbs depicts the Pope’s visit.
The cathedral boasts impressive features. The Compton organ replaced the destroyed Willis and Bishop & Son organs. It has since been modified. Easter 2011 saw the partial restoration of the Compton organ. George Pace Choir Stalls were installed. They were a gift from the Anglican St Alban’s Cathedral.
The stained glass holds stories. William Wailes created the stained glass before the war. The window above the West Door shows the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven. Harry Clarke of Dublin created the East Window. It depicts the Crucifixion and Saints of England and Wales. The stone tracery in the East Window is Pugin’s original work.
A recent addition is the cross by Salvadoran artist Fernando Llort. It serves as a national shrine to Archbishop Óscar Romero. He was murdered in San Salvador.
St George’s Cathedral serves a diverse community. A Spanish Mass is held every Sunday. It serves the Latin American community. People of different ethnicities and ages attend every Mass.
The cathedral stands on a historic site. It is next to Wellington Mills housing estate. It is close to the Imperial War Museum. London South Bank University uses it for graduation ceremonies each summer. The acoustics attract orchestras and choirs. They frequently perform concerts in the nave.
St George’s Cathedral reflects resilience. It embodies community and faith. It rose from the ashes of war. It continues to serve as a focal point in South London.