Leicester Cathedral

Leicester Cathedral ( Cathedral Church of St Martin, often in the simplification of Leicester Cathedral) is an Anglican cathedral in the English city of Leicester in the East Midlands and is the seat of the Bishop of Leicester. It is the fourth smallest Anglican cathedral in England and dedicated to St. Martin.

History

A church dedicated to St. Martin 's evidence at the present place of the cathedral for almost 1,000 years. It was first mentioned in 1086, as the older Saxon church was replaced by a Norman church.

In this church, which was a tower later, the current building dates. In the meantime, the building was restored several times, especially by the architect Raphael Brandon, whose conventional design can be seen in many places today. The original building was established in 1922 initially increased to a collegiate church and a cathedral in 1927, after 1926, the Diocese of Leicester was born. The building, mainly the Tower and the spire had to be restored between 2004 and 2005. The main work was to clean the masonry and replace it in places.

A memorial stone for King Richard III. is located in the choir of the cathedral. The king, however, was not there but in Greyfriars Church ( Franciscan ) buried in Leicester. In the remains of that church, his remains were found in September 2012 in targeted excavations. 2014 they are buried in the cathedral.

Leicester Cathedral is closely linked with the Leicester Grammar School, which is located in the immediate vicinity. Morning meetings take place weekly on different days and church services are attended by the students.

Equipment

The history of the organ dates back to the 16th century. Until the 18th century the cathedral was then a long time without an organ. Only in 1766 a large new organ was inaugurated, which had been built by the organ builder John Snetzler. This instrument had three manual divisions, but no pedal work. It was not until 100 years later, the instrument has been expanded and equipped with an independent pedal work, and placed in the south-west corner of the cathedral, where today the St. Georges Chapel. 1873 built the organ builder JW Walker & Sons a new organ, which was installed in the northern transept. Much of the material of the pipe organ Snetzler were reused. The new instrument had 50 stops on four manuals and pedal. 1930, the instrument of the organ builders Harrison & Harrison has been restored to the west of the Cathedral. The organ has 50 stops on four manuals and pedal. The tracker action is electro-pneumatic.