St Edmundsbury Cathedral

It is a busy place with many staff involved in the daily running of its work and ministry. At the same time it is there for anyone to use for quiet reflection or private prayer. For nearly 1,000 years the site of Suffolk's Cathedral has been one of worship and pilgrimage. The death of Edmund, King of the East Angles, in 869 led to the building of a Norman abbey to house the remains of the martyred monarch. Several churches were built within the precincts of the abbey. The nave of today's church is the successor of one of those churches; it was started in 1503. Though little remains of the Benedictine Abbey, St James' Church has continued to grow over the centuries with alterations in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1914 St James' became the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Saint Edmundsbury and Ipswich. After the Second World War the architect Stephen Dykes Bower started enlarging the building. The last 40 years has seen several additions as well as the building of the Cathedral Centre, which houses the Song School for the Cathedral Choir, the Refectory and meeting rooms. Thanks to grants from the Millennium Commission and the Stephen Dykes Bower Trust and the generosity of many kind people it has been possible to raise the necessary funds to undertake the final phase of building and complete the Cathedral. Building work started in 1999. The Gallery of the North Transept is completed and is open to the public. The Millennium Tower was finished in July 2005 and its completion officially marked by a visit of HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. The new Cloister and Chapel of the Transfiguration were opened in 2009. American connections - Martha's Vineyard is named after a young girl, daughter of Bartholomew Gosnold, the explorer and founder of Jamestown, who was baptised in St James church in 1597. The Cathedral and the town of Bury St Edmunds have a long and friendly relationship with the people of America. The Cloisters Gallery has a changing programme of Art exhibitions. The Treasury displays church plate from around the Diocese and has other interesting exhibits on show. The Discovery Centre, adjoining the Cathedral, is especially designed for educational groups. Special themed children's trails and activities are available with Children's Guides. Educational packs also available. Please contact the Education Officer on 01284 747467. There are regular services daily. In addition, many special services to celebrate county and national events take place. Visitors are welcome to join any of the services. Please contact the Cathedral Office for further details (tel: 01284 754933). Regular tours Monday to Saturday at 11.30am from Easter to end September. Group tours by arrangement at any time, please contact the Visitors' Officer on 01284 748726. Cost of Guided Tours £3.50 per person. No coach parking at Cathedral but coach set off point on Angel Hill. Free coach parking at Rougham Hill Coach Park. Open 8.30-6pm.