Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site. There has been a cathedral at Canterbury since 597 when St. Augustine baptised the Saxon king Ethelbert. The site was a place of worship during the Roman occupation of Britain and is the oldest church in England still in use. It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Tower of St. Mary Magdalene dates to 1503 and is all that remains of the attached church demolished 1871. Faint triangular stain (top point to the left of small window) shows outline of church's roof.
Whitfield Family Monument historic marker.
St. Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church. In the middle ages on this site was a chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene.
Jim walking ahead in the town square in front of the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral.
World War I monument in the town square in front of the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral.
The main entrance to the Cathedral grounds, Christ Church Gate, was built at the beginning of the 16th century by the order of Prior Goldstone.
Detail on Christ Church Gate, the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral.
Detail on Christ Church Gate, the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral.
View through Christ Church Gate - historic buildings (now lodgings) on the left - the Cathedral to the right.
West end of Canterbury Cathedral viewed from the south.
West entrance to Canterbury Cathedral.
Detail of figures on the west entrance to Canterbury Cathedral.
Side aisle inside the Cathedral.
The pulpit is a fairly recent addition to the Cathedral having been built in 1898 in the Gothic Perpendicular style.
Burial memorial. "The inscription refers to James Hales, Treasurer to the Portuguese Expedition of 1589, who died of fever and was buried at sea..."
The Bell Harry Tower. The oldest bell in the cathedral, it hangs in a cage atop the central tower to which the bell lends its name. This bell was cast in 1635, and is struck at 8am and 9pm every day.
The altar and nave.
The high altar.
Candle is where the Shrine of St. Thomas of Canterbury stood from 1220 to 1538 when it was destroyed by order of Henry VIII.
Interior detail looking back down the side aisle.
Francie Stoutamire Photography
