About Us

 “Serving Christ and transforming lives through welcome, worship and encounter”

Bradford Cathedral is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Set in tranquil gardens the Cathedral is Bradford’s most ancient place of worship, alive with peace, prayer, and a sense of story from its 13 centuries at the heart of the City.

We are a place of Anglican worship – one of three Cathedrals in the Diocese of Leeds, alongside Ripon and Wakefield – holding weekly services, as well as other special and civic events throughout the Christian year. We are a partner to other organisations, venues and faith groups in the city. Our clergy team is here to support all people in nurturing their faith, and we are available for baptisms, weddings and more.

The Cathedral runs a high-quality events programme of choral and organ music; art exhibitions and installations; and talks and family activities. We also offer an exciting programme for schools and colleges (holding the quality mark from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom), and are a heritage venue with free entry for visitors.

The building tells two kinds of story – the Christian story dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, and the Bradford story. The present church, the third on the site, was built in the fifteenth century, and includes elements from the previous building. It was later extended in the 1960s by Sir Edward Maufe.

We were awarded the ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ in the 2020 Welcome to Yorkshire ‘White Rose Awards’ and were a finalist in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ category (2022) and ‘Culture Award’ (2023) of the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards and ‘Best Use of Digital – UK’ in the Museums+Heritage Awards 2022 – and you can come and see why! We have a wealth of Morris & Co textiles and stained glass; monuments marking many people and events from Bradford’s history including the Battle of the Steeple, the creation of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, and in memory of the Bradford City Fire. There’s also the WWI window; the cross and hangings in St Aidan’s Chapel, and many other plaques. More information can be found in our visitors’ guide.

Everyone is welcome at Bradford Cathedral – whether you come to pray; to explore the architecture and heritage of the building; to wander around our latest art exhibition; or to simply sit and enjoy the warmth and quiet of the building and grounds.

Our opening hours are Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, as well as for services and events. For any changes to these times, as well as to find out more about us, to book your place at an event or on a guided tour, or to hire the space, please explore this website, come to the Cathedral office, call us on 01274 77 77 20, or e-mail us on info@bradfordcathedral.org.

You can follow us on social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and watch videos and streamed services on our YouTube channel.

Environmental issues are also important to the Cathedral and we hold Eco Congregation status. We were the first Cathedral to have solar panels, and work on many environmental initiatives including the Cathedral Woodland Project.

Bradford Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. For more information please visit our safeguarding page.

Mission Giving

The Cathedral community is committed to working with Mission partners, both within our local area of Bradford as well as nationally and internationally.

Fairtrade certificate

Eco Cathedral

Bradford Cathedral holds Eco Congregation status – the first cathedral in the north of England to receive this prestigious award. 

Cathedral Tower

Archive Records

If you’re looking for records of weddings and baptisms, you can find out more here.

East End of the Cathedral

What Is A Cathedral?

Find out about what makes a Cathedral and the Diocese of Leeds.

Cathedral strategy

Our Purpose

Serving Christ and transforming lives through welcome, worship and encounter.

Our Values

Hospitality, Wholeness, Faithfulness.

Our Strategic Priorities
  • To encounter God through worship, preaching, music, our story and the arts
  • To nurture faith and gifts through evangelism and discipleship for all ages, abilities and stages of life.
  • To grow a healthy organization through good governance, safeguarding, staff, congregation and volunteer care.
  • To resource the Church through working with the Bishop, the Diocese and our sister cathedrals.
  • To enrich city life through music and the arts, special services, civic engagement, events, other faith partnerships and reconciliation.
  • To achieve financial sustainability through good stewardship, income growth and fundraising.
  • To conserve and develop our heritage through marketing, visitor engagement and education, partnership and fulfilling our ambition of being an eco-cathedral.
  • To respond to human need through loving service.

In the media

111 Places In Bradford That You Shouldn't Miss

In print

Every Day Bradford (Martin Greenwood) (2021)
111 Places in Bradford That You Shouldn’t Miss (Cath Muldowney) (2022)
Cathedral Treasures of England and Wales (2022)

In the press

Discover more about our appearances in the press this month, or visit our archive to see historical articles.

January - March 2024

Royal Opera House launches Chance to Dance in Bradford (16th March 2024)

Seventh Fairtrade breakfast held at Bradford Cathedral (15th March 2024)

30th Anniversary of Women Priests (Yorkshire Post) (15th March 2024)

Got2Sing Choir (Yorkshire Post) (13th March 2024)

Council cleans up litter following reports from residents (11th March 2024)

Celebrating Women – Internation Women’s Day Mothers Day (6th March 2024)

Mothering Sunday ‘Clypping’ (Yorkshire Post) (6th March 2024)

Bradford faith trail to offer insight into city’s culture (2nd March 2024)

Back for 2024, the Bradford Faith Trail: a unique opportunity on your doorstep!  (21st February 2024)

Got 2 Sing Choir (Yorkshire Post) (20th February 2024)

Award-winning Got 2 Sing Choir to perform at Bradford Cathedral this March (19th February 2024)

Choral / Organ Scholarship (Yorkshire Post) (17th February 2024)

Peter and the Wolf (Yorkshire Post) (16th February 2024)

‘Golden ticket’ for Cathedral Singers (Yorkshire Post) (16th February 2024)

Pancake-flipping choristers and clergy race at UK cathedrals for Shrove Tuesday honours (15th February 2024)

Bradford’s Bustling Half-Term Holiday: A Symphony of Nature, Creativity, and Culture (13th February 2024)

Check out free family fun at half-term events in Bradford (13th February 2024)

Choir in harmony for flipping great day (Yorkshire Post) (13th February 2024)

Cathedrals and churches to mark Racial Justice Sunday (9th February 2024)

Harmonious Journey: Bradford Cathedral Girls Choir to Perform at Haworth’s St Michael and All Angels Church (9th February 2024)

Cathedral choir to perform at Haworth choral evensong (9th February 2024)

Chance to hit the high notes… as cathedral chorister (Yorkshire Post) (9th February 2024)

Bradford Cathedral holds Ash Wednesday service (8th February 2024)

Half term adventures made easy with MCard (7th February 2024)

The Harrogate organ builders preserving an age-old craft (2nd February 2024)

Begin with the Bard (Yorkshire Post) (30th January 2024)

Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations in Bradford (25th January 2024)

‘Unique experience’ at Bradford Cathedral on February 3 (18th January 2024)

Royal Opera House rolls out three year creative programme in Bradford (6th January 2024)

Press Releases

Here are our current press releases

Fairtrade Breakfast 2024

Bradford Cathedral Raises £110 for Transform Trade at 7th Annual Fairtrade Breakfast

At the breakfast there was porridge served with locally produced honey as well as Fairtrade hot drinks, and jam and marmalade to go with toast, alongside cereals and freshly made breakfast muffins.

The Revd Canon Sue Penfold

Bradford Cathedral to mark 30 years since the first ordination of women priests into the Church of England with a special service

‘A Celebration of 30 years of Women Priests service’ will take place on Saturday 4th May 2024 at Bradford Cathedral

Family Activities - February 2022

Bradford Cathedral Family Activities return for the 2024 Easter Holiday

There are lots of things to see, do and discover for children of all ages, at the free Bradford Cathedral Family Activities, on Tuesday 2nd April.

Bradford Arts and Culture Climate Symposium 2023

Bradford Cathedral to Hold Second Cultural Climate Symposium with Performance Pieces, Panel Discussion and Film Showing

The symposium will take place on Saturday 13th April 2024 from 1:30pm, with a film showing that evening.

Clypping the church 2024

Bradford Cathedral to be hugged at Mothering Sunday service

‘Clypping the church’ will take place at this year’s Mothering Sunday service at Bradford Cathedral, where the community choir ‘Grace Notes’ will also be singing

Fairtrade Breakfast

Bradford Cathedral to hold annual Fairtrade Breakfast to support Transform Trade

The Fairtrade Breakfast will take place at 8:45am on Sunday 10th March 2024

The Lady Chapel Windows

Bradford Cathedral to hold special tour to mark William Morris’ 190th birthday

You can celebrate William Morris’ anniversary by joining Bradford Cathedral for a special window tour on the day before his 190th birthday.

Bradford Cathedral to Hold Service, and Prayer Vigil, on the World Day of Prayer

A ‘World Day of Prayer Service’ (2pm) and a ‘Prayer Vigil for International Peace’ (6pm) will be held at Bradford Cathedral on Friday 1st March 2024.

The Narrow Road

Riding Lights Theatre Company presents The Narrow Road by Paul Birch

Riding Lights Theatre Company are pleased to announce a revival of their acclaimed passion play The Narrow Road by Paul Birch, for the season of Lent and Holy Week 2024.

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