Annual Conference: The Twentieth-Century Cathedral

This year’s conference looks at the phenomenon of the on-going building and designation of new cathedrals in the twentieth century by the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. Our expert speakers will address a variety of stimulating questions.

In an increasingly secular world, why was it thought necessary to build new cathedrals at all, and why were some newly built and others adapted from existing parish churches?

• For what kind of liturgy were the buildings designed, and how successful were they in their own terms?
• How do these cathedrals differ in their needs and design from medieval and Victorian notions?
• How were new designs arrived at? How and why were particular styles chosen? What was the role of architectural competitions? 
• How do Roman Catholic cathedrals differ from Anglican ones?
• And finally, how are C20 cathedrals lasting the course? Do they still work? How suited are the older twentieth-century cathedrals for present-day liturgy, and how well, have they been adapted?