Salisbury Cathedral has delved into its archives to create a special exhibition to mark the inauguration of the former Dean of Gloucester, Stephen Lake, who returns to his place of ordination to be made the 79th Bishop of Salisbury.
Bishop-making and bishops – an exhibition to celebrate the inauguration of the new Bishop of Salisbury, The Right Revd Stephen Lake
This week the Right Revd Stephen Lake joined Emily Naish, Salisbury Cathedral archivist, for a preview of some of the documents that will go on display in the Cathedral Library to celebrate his inauguration this Sunday June 19.
Elections and Bequests explores the ancient ‘bishop-making’ process and uncovers some of the interests and passions of past bishops through books they left to the Cathedral Library. From mathematics to botany, the books and documents on display include items that belonged to Bishop Edmund Geste (1514-1577), Bishop Seth Ward (1617-1689), Bishop John Wordsworth (1843-1911), founder of Bishop Wordsworth School in the close, and the medieval Bishop Saint Osmund.
Bishop Stephen said:
“My mother, when she was dying, regretted that she would never see me made a bishop, and I told her not to worry, it was unlikely to happen. Yet here I am. Unlike many of my predecessors, particularly the earlier bishops, I do not come from a well-to-do family, nor did I go to university. My degrees came later in life and my family is down to earth. In previous centuries I would not have made it past the High Street Gate”.
“But the tradition I inherit and the power to build strong Christian communities across the Diocese is a humbling one. Unlike the eighteenth-century Bishop of Salisbury, John Douglas, who preferred to spend his time in Bath and other fashionable eighteen-century ‘staycation’ spots, I am delighted to be back in this Diocese.
“This is where I grew up. I was ordained in Salisbury Cathedral, did my curacy in Sherborne Abbey, spent time as the vicar of Branksome St Aldhelm’s Church and Rural Dean of Poole. This is home,’ he added.
In a tribute to his mother and his roots, Bishop Stephen has used the gold from his mother’s wedding ring to forge his new Bishop’s ring, which carries the seal of the Salisbury Diocese.
The Library and exhibition, Elections and Bequests, are open to visitors every day between 13.30 and 16.30 from Monday 20 June to Sunday 26 June. The Library and Archive team will also deliver two talks on Wednesday 22 June.
More info on the Salisbury cathedral website here.
