Sunderland Minster
Encyclopedia
Sunderland Minster Church of St. Michaels and All Angels (commonly known as Sunderland Minster) is a church in Sunderland city centre, England
. It was known as St. Michael's Church, serving the parish of Bishopwearmouth
, but was renamed on 11 January 1998 in recognition of Sunderland's city status
. In May 2007 the Minister ceased to act as the parish church of Bishopwearmouth. It is one of the Greater Churches
.
was founded in around 940AD, with an original stone church being built shortly afterwards. The first evidence of a church on the site arose in a 1930s excavation when Saxon stones were found. Due to colliery subsidence, the church was virtually re-built beyond recognition in the early 20th century.
At present, Canon Stephen Taylor oversees the running of the Minster.
chaplaincy. It plays host to special services and worship events for the whole city. In 2007 the Minster ended its parish role, and these functions were transferred to the Parish Church of St Nicholas. Since then the Minster describes itself as "A church for the whole City".
There is a small gift shop selling fairtrade products and a clock tower café situated inside, open on Mondays and Saturdays.
In 2011, the minster will hold its first summer organ recital series on the fine Harrison & Harrison Organ.
Current Music Staff:
David Cox, Choirmaster & Organist
Tom Honeyman, Assistant Organist
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was known as St. Michael's Church, serving the parish of Bishopwearmouth
Bishopwearmouth
Bishopwearmouth is an area in Sunderland, North East England.Bishopwearmouth was one of the original three settlements on the banks of the river Wear that merged to form modern Sunderland....
, but was renamed on 11 January 1998 in recognition of Sunderland's city status
City status in the United Kingdom
City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities. The holding of city status gives a settlement no special rights other than that of calling itself a "city". Nonetheless, this appellation carries its own prestige and, consequently, competitions...
. In May 2007 the Minister ceased to act as the parish church of Bishopwearmouth. It is one of the Greater Churches
Greater Churches Group
The Greater Churches Network is a self-help organisation within the Church of England. There are currently 32 churches within the Greater Churches Network....
.
History
The parish of Bishopwearmouth, south of the River WearRiver Wear
The River Wear is located in North East England, rising in the Pennines and flowing eastwards, mostly through County Durham, to the North Sea at Sunderland.-Geology and history:...
was founded in around 940AD, with an original stone church being built shortly afterwards. The first evidence of a church on the site arose in a 1930s excavation when Saxon stones were found. Due to colliery subsidence, the church was virtually re-built beyond recognition in the early 20th century.
At present, Canon Stephen Taylor oversees the running of the Minster.
Role of the Minster
Until May 2007 the team of ministers carried out traditional parish duties as well as serving the city by hosting services of remembrance, providing chaplaincies for the retail and industrial workforces in the city centre, as well as being used by the UniversityUniversity of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is located in Sunderland, north east England. The university has more than 17,500 students, including 7,000-plus international students from some 70 countries....
chaplaincy. It plays host to special services and worship events for the whole city. In 2007 the Minster ended its parish role, and these functions were transferred to the Parish Church of St Nicholas. Since then the Minster describes itself as "A church for the whole City".
There is a small gift shop selling fairtrade products and a clock tower café situated inside, open on Mondays and Saturdays.
Music
The Minster has a mixed SATB choir and a junior choir that perform at the Sunday 10am Eucharist and also at 6pm Evensong on the 1st Sundays of the month).In 2011, the minster will hold its first summer organ recital series on the fine Harrison & Harrison Organ.
Current Music Staff:
David Cox, Choirmaster & Organist
Tom Honeyman, Assistant Organist