Dean Storr's Cope c. 1920

October 21, 2022

John Storrs was Dean of Rochester from 1913 until his death in 1928. His cope is one of the most intricate items in the vestments collection, and is still worn by the Dean for some special services.

Storrs was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, educated in England at The King's School, Rochester and Pembroke College, Cambridge. Storrs was responsible for various projects in Rochester Cathedral, notably the recasting of the bells in 1921 and the restoration of the Gundulf Tower. The oak screen around the Lady Chapel is dedicated to him.

The cope is gold damask silk embroidered with silk and gold thread, c. 1920. The material was supplied from the Middle East by Dean Storrs' son, Sir Ronald Storrs. The deep orphrey is arranged in panels of stylized vine motifs encircling pilgrim shells.

Sanctuary lamp

The sanctuary lamp hanging from three chains over the High Altar in the presbytery was the gift of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, said to have come from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, presented to Dean Storrs, whose son Sir Ronald Storrs was Governor of Jerusalem. Inscription on base reads:

EYΦYMIOY TOY EK ΔAPΔANEΛΛIΩN ETOΣ 1913. EIII ΣKE YΦYΛAKOΣ APXIM.

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