cathedral

cathedral. The church which contains the throne or cathedra of the bishop of the diocese. It is usually large and of some splendour. It was originally served by the bishop and his household, but responsibility for the cathedral was gradually delegated to a separate body of clergy, which developed into an ecclesiastical corporation or chapter.

In medieval England, some chapters were secular, some monastic. With the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the religious foundations came to an end. New constitutions were imposed on the cathedrals previously served by religious; they have become known as ‘New Foundations’, in contrast with those which, retaining their medieval statutes, are known as ‘Old Foundations’. The creation of new English dioceses in modern times has brought a corresponding growth of cathedrals. In most cases an existing church has been used, but in some (e.g. Liverpool) new buildings have been erected. In the RC Church the restoration of the hierarchy in England in 1850 was followed by the foundation of cathedrals, e.g. at Westminster.

English cathedrals are now governed by three bodies: the Chapter, consisting of the dean, the residentiary canons, and a few other persons, some lay; the College of Canons, composed of the dean, all canons, the suffragan and full-time stipendiary assistant bishops, and the archdeacons of the diocese; and a Council composed of a lay chairman nominated by the bishop, the dean, and members representing the Chapter, the College of Canons, the cathedral community, and other interests. The cathedral staff also normally includes minor canons, responsible for rendering the priest's part of the musical services, and a choir consisting of an organist, choirmen (sometimes called ‘lay clerks’), and choristers. In the older cathedrals there has been a tradition of high musical performance.