Jeel Scholarship Fund
Building a Better Future
Rochester
We arrived early at the Cathedral in time for the morning prayer and Eucharist. Rochester is the second oldest cathedral in England being founded in AD604 by St Justus one of St Augustine’s companions. The Vice Dean, Canon Christopher Dench, welcomed us. There was a beautiful triptych, by Scott Norwood Scott, behind the altar in the chapel. One section was dedicated to Gundulf consecrated as Bishop of Rochester in 1075. It was his day of remembrance on the day we visited Rochester. The striking oil paintings provide a backdrop for prayer and reflection.
The peace was enthusiastic, and we shook hands with all present and exchanged warm greetings. It was a wonderful way to start the day. Dogs are not permitted in the Cathedral.
We went back to our hotel for breakfast and then returned to walk round the Cathedral grounds and the town with our canine companions.
The first point of interest was Restoration House and Garden which was the inspiration behind the house of Miss Faversham in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens lived locally. Rochester also has a castle and an amazing Catalpa tree just outside the Cathedral. It is rare in Britain and thought to be over one hundred years old. The Cathedral has a school in its environs and has a lovely small walled garden and an outside green, known as the Cathedral Garth, where the main toilets are.
The interior of the Cathedral opened up many places to admire. Following the martyrdom of Thomas Becket in 1170 many pilgrims stopped at Rochester on their way to Canterbury so many that the Pilgrim stone steps were worn down and had to be resurfaced in wood. The interior was remodelled in Victorian times by our old friend George Gilbert Scott who removed the sites of three important shrines to Paulinus, the first bishop of York, Itharnar the first native bishop of England and William of Perth.
William of Perth was a baker who was on pilgrimage in 1201 to Canterbury and the Holy Land. He stopped the night at the Priory of St Andrew ie the Cathedral and was killed the next day and robbed by his servant. A woman was cured of her mental illness by festooning the body with honeysuckle and pressing the flowers to her head. The monks recovered the body and brought it back to the Cathedral. William of Perth was canonised in 1256 and pilgrims to his shrine effectively paid for the rebuilding of the magnificent, vaulted Quire and Presbytery.
We went downstairs the Crypt which was airy and light and housed the café. Also, a lovely peaceful chapel dedicated to Ithamar. We also viewed the text Textus Roffensis. This is thought to have been written in a mixture of Old English (Anglo Saxon) and Latin in 1120s. There is invaluable information on medieval laws (and curses) as well as everyday life of the people.
Finally, the Crypt has a timeline of the Cathedral’s life which is wonderful way of conveying the history and everchanging face in the career of the building and associated fellows. We think every Cathedral should have one for instant access and context.
Back on the ground floor we looked at the exhibition, a suspended model of Mars and were inspired to think heavenly thoughts. We also looked in at the modern library with light wooden floor and shelving.
Rochester Cathedral grew on us as we took in more of its attractions. We ended in the shop which was surprisingly modest with souvenirs of the Mars exhibition and some stationery and books. There was little in the way of food and drink, but we mustered our loins and spent as usual.