Hundreds of people gathered inside Chichester Cathedral and together formed the number ‘950’ to mark the official launch of its historic anniversary.
Chichester 950
This year will see an ambitious and diverse programme of events to celebrate 950 years of religious, cultural, and civic life through music, history and art.
The Dean of Chichester, The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, said:
“With a year of remarkable events planned to celebrate Chichester950, it felt right to begin by coming together to create a lasting visual that captures not just the fabric of the Cathedral, but the people who bring it to life – our staff, volunteers, congregations, local residents, school children as well as the wider community who we serve.
“Sharing this anniversary with the Diocese of Chichester, we celebrate the Cathedral as a beacon of faith, spirituality and community, serving the people of East and West Sussex. For us, Chichester950 is an opportunity to invite everyone to discover the Cathedral’s captivating history.”
There are services planned in every church in the diocese, a family camp, pilgrimages, new music, new artwork and an international conference to celebrate 1,700 years of the Nicene.
This May a special concert for the 60th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms will feature a new choral composition specially commissioned for the 950th anniversary.
At the heart of Chichester Cathedral’s 950 celebrations is a special exhibition that will mark nine centuries of Sussex history and includes medieval Bishops’ rings, a 12th-century reliquary, a 15th-century theological treatise and a Bible carried into the trenches during the First World War.
Religion, Rebellion & Reformation has been curated by the Reverend Canon Vanessa Baron, Canon Treasurer. It features artefacts and treasures contributed by local parishes and community groups, and brings together pieces from churches, archives and libraries across the Diocese of Chichester.
And Chichester Cathedral has just announced it has commissioned a special light and sound digital artwork from creative duo, Luxmuralis to conclude anniversary year. The art show will feature 30,000 images from the Cathedral’s archive woven together in a display that honours the Cathedral’s rich heritage while celebrating its vibrant role in the present day.
To find out more about Chichester950 and the programme of events click here.
