IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (ecclesiastical) doorstep’: Listing ‘radical’ English Cathedral may signal change in attitude

The Catholic News Agency has explored possible implications in the listing of the ‘radical’ Brentwood Cathedral.

image: Historic England Archive

… first classical cathedral to be built in England since London’s famous St. Paul’s…

The Catholic News Agency writes:

Brentwood Cathedral, the first classical cathedral to be built in England since London’s famous St. Paul’s, has achieved a coveted recognition that shows a changing attitude to ‘serious classical architecture,’ according to its designer.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St. Mary and St. Helen in Brentwood, about 30 miles to the East of London in the county of Essex, was opened in 1991 and is now officially regarded as a ‘particularly important building of more than special interest’ according to… the British government’s public body tasked with protecting historic buildings.

Brentwood Cathedral was inspired by the designs of acclaimed architect Sir Christopher Wren. It is regarded as revolutionary in its radical use of classical architecture, and has now been listed as a Grade II* building….

Brentwood Cathedral was the first classical cathedral to be built in the country since the famous Anglican cathedral of St. Paul’s….

The cathedral retains a surviving section of a Gothic church, built 1860-61, based on the designs of the renowned Catholic architect, Gilbert R. Blount, while also boasting a dominant classical addition, which was added between built 1989 and 1991…

Its architect, Quinlan Terry, said: ’I’m delighted that Brentwood Cathedral has been listed at Grade II*….

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