Arundel Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Our Lady and St Philip Howard stands in Arundel, a small town in West Sussex. It was built as a Catholic parish church and opened in 1873. In 1965 it became the cathedral for the new Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. The building is Grade I listed, meaning it is recognised for its exceptional interest. The cathedral’s French Gothic design reflects the style popular between 1300 and 1400. Its dedication changed in 1971 after the canonisation of Philip Howard and the reburial of his relics there. The cathedral owes much to the Howard family, the most prominent English Catholic family. Henry Fitzalan-Howard, the 15th Duke of Norfolk, commissioned the building in 1868. The architect Joseph Hansom designed it as a counterpart to nearby Arundel Castle. Elizabeth Stratford became the first woman to hold the post of Director of Music in an English cathedral when she was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers in 2002. The cathedral has also hosted concerts by the choir Libera. Inside, visitors find a grand nave with soaring arches and stained glass. The relics of St Philip Howard lie in a side chapel. The annual Corpus Christi celebration features a large floral carpet made by volunteers in a single day. The cathedral’s interior blends French Gothic detail with English craftsmanship. Outside, the tower rises above the town, linking the sacred and secular history of Arundel.