The Friends of Rochester Cathedral
In 1935 The Friends of Rochester Cathedral was founded to help finance the maintenance of the fabric and grounds of Rochester Cathedral.
Over the intervening years its membership has grown, with many overseas members, but the Cathedral always needs Friends. Members do not need to be of the Christian faith or, indeed, of any religious faith, but simply share our concern for our beautiful heritage. We are stewards for our lifetime of an inheritance which we wish to be passed on for the benefit of future generations.
Join the Friends
If you would like to join us, please download a Membership Application Form
Friends of Rochester Cathedral Events
Funding
Funds are raised from gifts and legacies as well as membership subscriptions and social activities.
Legacies are a particularly valuable source of income as charities are outside Inheritance Tax levels and consequently a gift to a registered charity is exempt from Inheritance Tax and therefore assists in reducing such liability on a deceased person’s estate. Past generous legacies fund a considerable amount of the Friends’ resources and further legacies will enable the Friends to finance further projects.
If you would like to make a legacy, please call the Administrator on 01634 832142
Projects
The Friends have helped to fund projects in and around the Cathedral varying from just a few pounds to six figure sums. During the last 50 years, the Friends have granted over £1,250,000 to the Dean and Chapter. A grant of £7,500 is made annually towards the upkeep of the Garth (Cloister gardens).
Simon Lace, Chapter Clerk and Executive Director reports on the overhaul of the Cathedral lighting.
Jacob Scott reports on the move of the Lapidarium stone fragment collection from its previous siting to a new more suitable space.
The spire was fitted with full-colour LED lighting in early 2020 to acknowledge, commemorate and celebrate national and international events and causes throughout the year.
The Hidden Treasures, Fresh Expressions Project 2012-2016 engaged the University of Manchester in the production of a high-quality digital facsimile of Textus, a bespoke exhibition area in the Cathedral crypt, and study and handling copies for the refurbished Chapter Library.
Interpretation Manager Annie Harvey reports on new interactive interpretation for the Cathedral's many visitors.
The vibrant tapestries in the Lady Chapel were designed and made by artist Bobbie Cox (1930-2018).
Cathedral Architect W. A. Forsyth reports on the repairs to the Cathedral and claims to the War Damage Commission. Featured in The Eighth Annual Report of the Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual, published May 1950.
W. A. Forsythe reports on the restoration of the Norman Cloister in advance of its opening as the Cloister Garth gardens in the 1930s, the first project sponsored by the Friends.
Research
The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Reports often include articles on the fabric and history of the Cathedral, past copies of these frequently being cited in research.
A study of the medieval floor tiles of the Cathedral by Gerald Cramp and David Carder.
Graham Keevill, Cathedral Archaeologist studies two pencil sketches featuring Rochester Cathedral by J. M. W. Turner.
David Cleggett examines the times of Bishop Edward Talbot, Bishop John Harmer and Dean John Storrs over the late 19th and early 20th century, a High Church period in the history of the Cathedral.
Simon Shreeve introduces the organists of Rochester Cathedral during the Great War: Bertram Luard-Selby, Charles Hylton Stuart and Hilda Milvain.
Andrew Ashbee explores the wills of two sixteenth-century lay clerks at the Cathedral, Richard Butler and Peter Bold, shining light on the first year of life at the Cathedral after the refoundation of the Cathedral in 1542.
Geoff Ettridge explores the challenges faced to Cathedral life by the Great War.
A list of the Cathedral Priors of Rochester from 1629 by David Carder.
An analysis of the bishops of Rochester by the Revd John Prior and Alan McLean.
An introduction to Gundulf, Rochester's Bishop from Normandy, with an introductory message from St Mary's Abbey, West Malling.
John K. Best-Shaw and Dagmar Batterbee introduce the history of bells and bellringing at Rochester Cathedral, with a foreword by Dean of Rochester Adrian Newman.
Lyndall Hacker explores the Cathedral font by Thomas Earp, sculptor of the Eleanor Cross Monument in the forecourt of Charing Cross Station.
The significant water damage throughout Textus and subsequent rebinding is due to its accidental submersion in either the River Thames or the River Medway around 1716 on its way to notable writer and prebendary of the Cathedral Dr John Harris for use in writing his History of Kent.
Simon Lace, Chapter Clerk and Executive Director reports on life at the Cathedral during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rev Canon Dr Gordon Giles, Canon Chancellor writes of his first year as Canon Chancellor during the Covid-19 lockdown and the reopening of the Cathedral.
A farewell to Bob Ratcliffe by Chairman of the Friends Michael Bailey.
The Rt. Revd. J. M. Bickersteth KCVO warmly remembers the life of The Right Reverend David Say, Bishop of Rochester 1961-1988.
An obituary of Dean Crick by D. R. Vicary, Headmaster of the King's School.
Canon S. L. S. Allen explores the history of Rochester Theological College.
To celebrate the Festival of 1958 the Medway Theatre Guild staged in the Cathedral a play-"The Mystery of the Finding of the Cross".
Canon Sydney Williams Wheatley was the Vicar of St Margaret's Church Rochester from 1915-1947. His collection of glass slides in the Chapter Library have been digitised and are available online.
Publications
The Friends offer printed copies of articles and guides now also available on the Cathedral website.
The Muscle and the Rose: The Life and Times of Samuel Reynolds Hole, Dean of Rochester, 1887 – 1904 by Canon Dr Philip Hesketh.
Published 2013 (Price £3 + p&p)
Cathedral Curiosities: A guide to the unexpected in Rochester Cathedral
Published 2009 (Price £4 + p&p)
Cathedral Windows (8 page illustrated leaflet)
Published 2011 (Price £2 + p&p)
Heraldry in Rochester Cathedral (8 page illustrated leaflet)
Published 2012 (Price £2 + p&p)
Special Offer: Rochester Bells and Cathedral Curiosities may be purchased together for the special price of £5 + p&p
The Friends of Rochester Cathedral is a registered charity, governed by a written constitution and administered by the Council of Friends who are elected annually on a rotating basis. Our Patron is HRH The Duchess of Kent, GCVO.
Registered Charity Number 273973