The Oxford Movement at Rochester Cathedral, 1895-1930
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. Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 2020 as ‘Talbot, Harmer and Storrs, a fine trio’.
Dean Philip Hesketh explores the life and works of Samuel Reynolds Hole, Dean of Rochester, through a series of posts exploring his life both as a proponent of ‘muscular christianity’ and as a keen gardener.
Dean Reynolds Hole (1819-1904): the muscle and the rose
Dean of Rochester Philip Hesketh introduces the life and work of Samuel Reynolds Hole, Dean of Rochester 1887–1904, a celebrated gardener notable for his expertise with roses. First of a two-part series.
Photograph of Bishop Talbot, seated, with Dean Hole in the Cloister Garth. Rochester Cathedral Chapter Library, portrait photographs collection.
Challenges of the Great War, 1914-1918
Geoff Ettridge recalls the challenges faced to Cathedral life by the Great War. Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 2019.
Ledgerstone of Bishop Harmer in the South Nave Transept.
Photograph of Cathedral clergy and choir outside the Deanery on the Installation of Dean John Storrs on the 3rd May 1913. Rochester Cathedral Chapter Library, portrait photographs collection.
Dean Storr's Cope, c. 1920
John Storrs was Dean of Rochester Storrs 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.
The second son, Francis Edmund (1882-1958), a naval officer, was killed in action on 10 November 1918. The Dean received the official telegram advising him of the death whilst walking from the Deanery to the Cathedral to preach at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Armistice on 11 November.
Dean John Storrs, date TBD. Rochester Cathedral Chapter Library, portrait photographs collection.
Bishop Harmer (seated centre-right), Dean Storrs (seated second-left), Canons McKean (standing second-left) and King (seated far right), and Archdeacon Tait (seated far left) meeting with Archbishops Earlynz Germamos and a delegation from the Russian-Greek Church, June 18th 1925. Rochester Cathedral Chapter Library, portrait photographs collection.
David A. H. Cleggett
Featured in The Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Report for 2020
Illustrated by Jacob Scott, Heritage Officer
Friends of Rochester Cathedral Annual Reports
The Friends of Rochester Cathedral were founded to help finance the maintenance of the fabric and grounds. The Friends’ annual reports have become a trove of articles on the fabric and history of the cathedral.
The Friends of Rochester Cathedral were founded to help finance the maintenance of the fabric and grounds. The Friends’ annual reports have become a trove of articles on the fabric and history of the cathedral.
Explore the stories of the many hundreds of officials and members of staff from bishops and deans to monks and organists.