Does anyone worship at Southwark Cathedral?

[TheCheckerdyHorse]

I'm looking for a C of E community to join, and Southwark Cathedral has been recommended for me. It's quite a trek from where I live; has anyone got any experience of worshipping there?

It's quite old now, but there's a positive Mystery Worship report here.

There are two Southwark Cathedrals. The original Catholic building was a priory for the Augustinians for 400 years and dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. The C of E nicked it in the Reformation and chucked all the priors out. Then there was a long period when you could be arrested for being a Catholic priest or going to Mass. A new Southwark Cathderal for Catholics was built in the mid Victorian era and designed by Pugin, it is called St. George's.

Lookingforfocus this may not be the right place to rehearse the rights and wrongs of the Reformation!

Just letting the OP know their are two Cathedrals and why.

Thanks for that link, niminypiminy. I'll have a read of it. Would still like to know if any MNers have recent experience, if possible.

If it makes you feel better Niminy you'll be happy to hear St. George's will be on a joint pilgrimage with the Anglican Cathedral to the friars at Aylesford on May 24th . The Carmelites founded the friary in the 12th century and after the site was "borrowed" during the Reformation the Friars were able to come back to Aylesford in the 1940s and celebrate Mass once again.

I am interested, in fact, Lookingforfocus. Love history, esp that period.

I've occasionally been there (when I work in London I sometimes work near London bridge) and have mostly gone to Evensong although sometimes the 8am service. Not sure what the community aspect is like as I am more of a sit on my seat and worship in my own way type person but I like it there.

Thansk, Miranda; sometimes that's what I would like to do. Good to hear it works for you. Encouraging.

Would you get to know the clergy, do you think, if you went regularly?

If you were a regular member of the congregation, would they, for example, help you if bereaved?

I don't know how big Southwark Cathedral's congregations are but if you go along you will get to know the clergy. You do have to talk to them though. I know some people think that ordination gives clergy mind reading abilities but it doesn't. All that withstanding bereavement care is a specialist subject and not all clergy are specialists in this area. I was on a training course recently and this organisation was mentioned and some of their material may be of help

Care for the Family