What’s On January - April 2025
Museum of the Moon | Holy Week and Easter
Welcome
St Albans Cathedral, home to Britain’s first saint, is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.
‘Welcome to the first edition of What’s On at St Albans Cathedral for 2025. As the new year gets underway, we are delighted to have Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon in the Nave. As a Cathedral we are committed to treating with wonder and profound care all that God has made. Read on for the wonderful programme of activities you can be part of under the moon! As we look to see the signs of spring, we also look to the journey of Lent which leads us to Holy Week and the great Festival of Easter. See the pages ahead for details of worship and study during this holy season. This is your Cathedral - you are always welcome and I hope to see you soon!’
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans
information is correct at the time of going to print | Cover image by Lynne Steyn Wilde
The Story of Alban
This is a story of an ordinary person doing an extraordinary thing, a story which still inspires.
Alban lived around 300 AD in the Roman city of Verulamium. Alban gave shelter to a priest fleeing persecution.
With the authorities closing in, the two men exchanged cloaks allowing the priest to escape.
Alban was taken before the judge where he declared himself a Christian, condemning himself to death.
Alban was beheaded on the hill where the Cathedral now stands. Alban is Britain’s first saint. The story of friendship between Alban and Amphibalus is as relevant in our world today as it was 1700 years ago.
St Albans Cathedral remains committed to offering welcome and sanctuary to all, and to witness God’s love in the world.
Your Visit
There are many unique sights to take in when you visit St Albans Cathedral, making it a stunning setting for worship, events and tours.
Opening times
The Cathedral is open all year round 9am - 5pm
We need to raise £6,000 a day to keep this historic Cathedral open, so please donate generously.
How to book event tickets
Bookings for events taking place at the Cathedral can be made through our website at www.stalbanscathedral.org
You can also book through the Cathedral Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or by calling 01727 890290
Planning your visit
Accessibility for all our visitors is an important part of our welcome and mission. Full information about planning a trip to St Albans Cathedral can be found at www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit
Abbot’s Kitchen
Open daily 10am - 4pm
Our wonderful café situated in the Welcome Centre is the perfect place to refuel during your visit.
Cathedral Shop
Sundays - Fridays | open 10am - 5pm Saturdays | open 9am - 5pm
Whether you are looking for a memento of your visit to St Albans Cathedral or searching for a special gift, we are sure you will find something in the Cathedral Shop.
Regular worship
All are welcome at our many daily services, the heartbeat of this Cathedral’s active life. See page 14 for more details. Occasionally additional services will be added at short notice. Please check the website before making a special visit.
Group enquiries
We welcome groups from far and wide every day and can tailor tours to suit your group’s interest. Get in touch to find out more. Groups: 01727 890200
Schools: 01727 890212
Support us
To find out more about how you can support the Cathedral go to www.stalbanscathedral.org/donate or call 01727 890229.
Cathedral Map
1. Shrine of Saint Alban
2. Shrine of Saint Amphibalus
3. Presbytery and High Altar Screen 4. The Norman Tower
Exhibition
Wall Paintings
Toilets
Visitor Highlights
St Albans Cathedral is a great place to visit with the whole family – whatever the weather! From the longest nave in England to our Saints in Colour project, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The Shrine of Saint Alban
The Shrine of Saint Alban is a site of national and international pilgrimage. People have been coming here for over 1700 years and it is used as a place of prayer and stillness by visitors every day.
The Shrine of Saint Amphibalus
Restored in 2021, this beautiful shrine to the other Saint in the Alban story makes this Cathedral the only one in the country with two medieval pedestal shrines.
The Norman Tower
Our Norman Tower is the only 11th century great crossing tower still standing in England today. It is also the only cathedral tower in England to be built using Roman bricks.
You can explore our tower on one of our Tower Tours, see page 9.
Wall Paintings
See the wall paintings in the Nave restored to their former glory with unique light projections during our Daily Guided Tours.
The Longest Nave in England
Enjoy walking the longest nave in England, all 85 metres of it! Take in the architecture and atmosphere of this vast space.
The Museum of the Moon installation will be suspended in the Nave in January and February see page 12 for more details.
Rose Window
Built in the 19th century, bathe in the beautiful light of our rose window in the North Transept. The stained glass was added in the 1980s and officially opened by Princess Diana.
Saints in Colour
Discover our incredible project, bringing the Wallingford High Altar Screen to life in a world first with cutting edge technology.
Tours
Discover stories from 1700 years of history as you embark upon an exciting journey around the Cathedral on one of our special tours.
Daily
Guided Tours
These tours are a great introduction to the Cathedral, its history and its treasures. Our expert guides will take you through our rich and varied history, exploring features such as our stunning medieval wall paintings, spectacular stained glass windows, and the shrine of Alban, Britain’s first saint.
Mondays – Fridays, 11.30am, 1.05pm and 2.30pm Saturdays, 10.45am, 11.30am, 1.05pm and 2.30pm Sundays, 1.05pm and 2.30pm
No charge, donations encouraged. These tours are for individuals or small family groups only. Please see the website for details.
Group
Tours
Varying days and times
To allow you to make the most of your visit to the Cathedral, we require groups of six or more to book their tour in advance. The Guides can provide a general tour or something specially tailored to your group’s needs or particular interests.
Please contact us on mail@stalbanscathedral.org or 01727 890200.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Visually Impaired Persons’ Tour
Last Friday of the month, 1.30pm
We are delighted to be able to offer our free guided tours to individuals with visual impairments. A dedicated group of guides has been trained to deliver these audio-described tours so that our magnificent building can be made more accessible.
Tickets are free and available from our website and the Cathedral Box Office. Please visit the website for details.
Tower Tours
Selected dates and times
Join our guides on a visit behind closed doors to explore the roof spaces including the ringing and bell chambers, before the final climb onto the roof of the tower. There are a total of 211 steps up to the top of the oldest cathedral tower in Britain, where you will be rewarded with fantastic views of St Albans (weather permitting).
Tickets available from our website. Restrictions apply. Please see the website for details.
Abbey by Night
Wednesday 22 January and Wednesday 5 February, 8pm and 8.30pm
As darkness descends and candles are lit, be transported back to the medieval abbey and meet the characters - both monks and pilgrims - to whom this great abbey was home. See and hear the inspiring tales these men and women have to tell.
Tickets available from our website.
More to Explore Tours
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Discover more of the treasures of the Cathedral with an experienced guide. All tours start at 1.30pm.
Follow the Star | Sunday 12 January
The Nave screen, up close and personal | Sunday 2 February
Treasures from the Archives | Sunday 16 March
Patron Saints | Sunday 27 April
No charge, book your tickets from our website or at the Cathedral Box Office.
Special Tours
Discover the secrets and hidden treasures of the Cathedral on one of our special tours.
Selected dates and times. Tickets are available from our website.
The Winds of Change
Travel back through time to the 1400s and 1500s to explore the Abbey. Learn about royal intrigue, musical innovation, prolific book production and the architectural changes that took place before the monastery was closed in 1539.
Wars of the Roses
Learn about how the power struggle for the throne between the two royal houses of York and Lancaster left its mark on the fabric and people of the monastery in the 1400s and into the 1500s.
Let the Women Speak
Hear the stories of women across the ages, heard and unheard, seen and unseen, who have left their mark on the fabric and history of the cathedral.
Making your Mark
Explore the graffiti that has been scratched in the stone down through the ages in this building. Look for hidden gems from signatures to skeletons, animals, crosses and a lot more.
Divine Designs
Learn about all the incredible ways in which science, technology, engineering and maths have been used for centuries to build and beautify this building.
Rogues and Rebels
From murder, witchcraft and heresy to challenging the laws and norms of their day, this tour tells the stories of those men and women associated with the Abbey Church who, over the centuries, followed their own path.
Grand Designs
Discover the skill and artistry of the medieval builders and craftsmen, including stone and wood carving, stained glass, bell casting, wall painting and illuminated manuscripts.
Tower and Treasures
Explore the grandeur of the cathedral floor with its shrines, wall paintings and medieval architecture combined with a climb up the tower to see the ringing chamber, belfry and views from the roof.
© Patrick Wainwright
Peregrine Live Cam
Watch our Peregrines live at St Albans Cathedral on our website.
Our popular Peregrine Live Cam is back this spring. Viewers will be able to tune in to see if our very own Peregrine lays any eggs this year.
Dates for the livestream will be announced in March.
Museum of the Moon
Friday 3 January - Saturday 15 February
Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition and will be suspended in the Nave of the Cathedral.
Marvel at artist Luke Jerram’s installation and join one of the many events and activities taking place in the moonlight including:
Follow the Star! More to Explore Tour
Sunday 12 January, 1.30pm
Yoga Under the Moon
Mondays 13, 20, 27 January and 3 February, 7.15pm - 8.15pm
Pink Floyd by Candlelight
Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January, 7.30pm
Sanctuary Supper
Monday 20 January, 6pm
Jazz in the Moonlight
Saturday 25 January, 7.30pm
Godspell | St Albans Musical Theatre Company
Thursday 30 January, 7.30pm and Saturday 1 February, 1pm and 7.30pm
Evening Pilgrimage
Tuesdays 4 and 11 February, 7.15pm
A Journey Back to the Beginnings of the Universe
Thursday 6 February, 7.30pm
Music by Moonlight | St Albans Cathedral Choir
Sunday 9 February, 4pm
Interstellar 10
Saturday 15 February, 7.30pm
Events under the moon in this brochure will be marked with
Tickets for events are available on our website. Find out more in our dedicated Museum of the Moon Brochure.
© Image by James Billings. Museum of the Moon installation by Luke Jerram
Worship Regular Services
Whether you prefer prayer, meditation, services, or lighting a candle, we welcome all to worship.
Sundays
8am Eucharist
9.30am Parish Eucharist
11.15am Choral Eucharist
11.15am Matins (3rd Sunday)
12.30pm Eucharist (3rd Sunday)
6pm Choral Evensong
Weekdays
7.30am Morning Prayer
8am Eucharist
12noon Eucharist at the Shrine
5pm Evensong (Evening Prayer on Mondays)
Saturdays
8.30am Morning Prayer
9am Eucharist
12noon Eucharist in the Lady Chapel
5pm Choral Evensong
Monthly Services
4th Wednesday 10am Mothers’ Union Eucharist
5th Saturday 2.30pm Diocesan Service for the Deaf
Ecumenical Services
The Cathedral also has a thriving Ecumenical Chaplaincy, regularly holding services for different Christian traditions.
Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12 noon.
German Lutheran
A service in German is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm.
Free Church
A service is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 11am.
Orthodox Liturgy
A service is held once a month on a Tuesday at 10.30am.
Please see the website for more information.
A Day Chaplain is available to talk to most days.
Special Services
The Cathedral hosts many special services throughout the year, reflecting the church year and supporting local organisations.
Epiphany Service with the Blessing of Chalk
Sunday 5 January, 9.30am and 11.15am
Our Epiphany service includes the blessing of chalk to mark the front of our homes with the signs of the Three Kings.
Candlemas Carol Service
Sunday 2 February, 6pm
A beautiful service of music and readings, sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Ashes to Go
Wednesday 5 March, 11.30am - 1pm
Join our clergy team in the city centre of St Albans for the imposition of ashes to mark the start of Lent.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 5 March, 7.30pm
Choral Eucharist with imposition of ashes to mark the start of the season of Lent.
Quiet Abbey during Lent
Every Monday from 10 March - 7 April, 7.30pm
The Cathedral will be kept open every Monday evening during Lent for prayer and reflection, from 7.30pm until 9pm.
Mothering Sunday
Sunday 30 March, 9.30am
9.30am Parish Eucharist with distribution of posies.
Passiontide Service
Sunday 6 April, 6pm
A powerful meditative service of music, poetry and prayer. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
For more information about worship, please visit our website.
Holy
Week and Easter
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Easter is a time for reflection and transformation.
Palm Sunday | Sunday 13 April
Palm Sunday Procession, 9.30am
Meet by the Clock Tower on the High Street, ready to set off in the procession to the Cathedral. Bring a branch or some greenery from home to wave as we walk and recall Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday Choral Eucharist, 11.15am Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Palm Sunday Choral Evensong, 6pm Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Address and Compline
Monday 14 April - Wednesday 16 April, 8pm
A service of night prayer with an address from our Holy Week preacher, the Revd Max Kramer, Chaplain at Keble College, Oxford.
© Stephanie Belton
Maundy Thursday | Thursday 17 April
Chrism Eucharist, 11am
A sung Eucharist, gathering together the clergy and lay ministers from the Diocese for an act of commitment to ministry and the blessing of the holy oils for use throughout the following year. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Maundy Eucharist, 8pm
This service includes the priest washing the feet of some of the congregation to recall what Jesus did at the Last Supper, and a watch until midnight to recall the agony of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Good Friday | Friday 18 April
Children’s Event, 10am
A morning aimed at primary school children. Experience Good Friday through storytelling, immersive activities and crafts, as we journey with Jesus to the Cross.
Three Hours Devotion with preacher the Revd Max Kramer, Chaplain at Keble College, Oxford
12 noon - 1.30pm Preaching of the Passion. 1.30pm - 3pm The Liturgy of Good Friday, sung by the Cathedral Choir.
8pm Unity at the Cross.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Easter Eve | Saturday 19 April
Easter Vigil with Confirmations, 8pm
The first service of Easter begins quietly in darkness but ends in joyful light and noise. Includes baptisms and confirmations from across the Diocese, and the first celebration of the Eucharist for Easter. This service is sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Easter
Day | Sunday 20 April
Early on the third day, Jesus’ disciples come and find the empty tomb. Later that day they gather and eat with their risen Lord.
Easter celebrations continue with festival services through the day to celebrate the joy of Resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
Easter Eucharist, 9.30am
Sung by the Cathedral Choir and Parish Singers.
Easter Choral Eucharist, 11.15am
Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Easter Day Evensong, 3.30pm
Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Easter Monday | Monday 21 April
Easter Monday Pilgrimage, 2.30pm
People young and old walk to the Cathedral from across the diocese to meet and gather in the Cathedral.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Alban Bun
The Alban Bun - The Original Hot Cross Bun
For nearly 700 years, the Alban Bun has been a part of the Easter tradition at St Albans Cathedral.
The Alban Bun will be available to buy this Lent and Easter from the Abbot’s Kitchen.
Exhibitions
Oaklands College: Shrines Project
Friday 28 February – Monday 10 March
Oaklands College, Level 3, Year 1 Art students, are proud to present an exhibition of works created for their Shrine project. Students were tasked with researching a wide range of shrines across a diverse range of religions and cultures. From this research students were then asked to produce exciting and thought-provoking outcomes in Print, Ceramics, Graphics, Photography, Textiles, Painting and Drawing.
No charge, donations welcome.
Crying in the Silicone Wilderness: Meditations on Faith
Thursday 13 March - Sunday 6 April
The Revd Dr Romola Parish is a Deacon and Spiritual Director in the Diocese of St David’s. A former academic and lawyer, she then studied poetry at Oxford and Cardiff and trained in hand embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework. This latest exhibition of the Revd Parish’s work comprises fourteen beautifully embroidered panels that explore a journey of brokenness and restoration and which coincide with a publication of a series of poems, written in literary conversation with the work of the poet-priest, R. S. Thomas.
No charge, donations welcome.
Music
Organ Recitals
Join us in the Cathedral for one of our fantastic organ recitals, with retiring collections in aid of Cathedral music funds.
Wednesday 12 February, 12.30pm
Ben Collyer, St Albans Cathedral
Wednesday 19 March, 12.30pm
Christopher Muhley, St Albans Cathedral
Sunday 13 April, 3pm
Conor McGlone, St Albans Cathedral
Be a Chorister for a day
An opportunity for boys in years 2 - 6 and girls in year 3 to come and experience the life of a chorister at St Albans Cathedral.
Become a Chorister days are on Saturday 25 January (boys) and Saturday 1 February (girls). Register your interest through our website.
St Albans Cathedral Choir Quiz
Saturday 22 March, 7pm
Competitive, fundraising quiz in the Nave. All proceeds go towards the upcoming Cathedral Choir tour.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Concerts
Tickets and more information about our upcoming concerts can be found on our website.
Music of Pink Floyd by Candlelight
Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 January, 7.30pm
Jazz in the Moonlight
Saturday 25 January, 7.30pm
© Toby Shepheard Photography
The moon, an inspiration for many jazz composers, inspires this quartet’s journey through classic favourites and enchanting new material.
J.S. Bach St John Passion | Hertfordshire Chorus
Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm
Music by Moonlight | St Albans Cathedral Choir
Sunday 9 February, 4pm
Be dazzled by the Cathedral Choir, alongside soprano Paula Sides, singing a programme of popular, moon-themed music.
Interstellar 10
Saturday 15 February, 7.30pm
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Roger Sayer, Interstellar’s organist, performs Hans Zimmer’s score in this concert under the moon. Featuring a Q&A with the performer.
St Albans Chamber Choir
Saturday 8 March, 7.30pm
An uplifting celebration of female composers on International Women’s Day.
Joint Schools Choral Society and Orchestra Concert
Wednesday 12 March, 7.30pm
Performed by St Albans High School for Girls and St Albans School.
Handel’s Messiah | St Albans Bach Choir
Saturday 5 April, 7pm
Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight
Wednesday 23 April, 7.30pm
Talks and Workshops
St Albans Cathedral offers a rich programme of events and workshops designed to explore faith, history and culture from many different angles.
The Lesser Light; The Moon in the Hebrew Bible & Rabbinic Literature
Wednesday 8 January, 7.30pm - 9pm, St Albans Cathedral
Join Rabbi Adam from St Albans Masorti Synagogue to explore the symbolism of the moon in classical Jewish sources.
Tickets £12 (£6), available from our website.
The Gospel According to Luke
Monday 13 January, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room
Explore one of the most literary of the gospels, which includes such treasures as the pregnancies of Mary and Elizabeth, parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son and a particular concern for the poor and excluded of Jesus’ day.
Speaker: The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor
Tickets £10 (£6 students), available from our website.
A Journey Back to the Beginnings of the Universe
Thursday 6 February, Planetarium visits at 6.30pm and 7pm
Talk at 7.30pm - 9pm
Come and explore with us the most distant galaxies found with the Webb telescope. The further you travel, the further back in time you will be able to see!
Tickets £12 (talk), £20 (talk + planetarium visit).
Invisible Wonders: Nanotechnology and the God of Creation
Wednesday 26 February, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Look down the microscope with us and discover a world of tiny wonders.
Speaker: Professor Russell Cowburn, FRS, Canon Scientist
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
A Theology of Education
Monday 17 March, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Join the Revd Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease, a priest, educator, and author, to discover how to transform schools into sites of liberation, creativity, and human potential and possibility.
Speaker: The Revd Dr Mariama Ifode-Blease
Tickets £12, available from our website.
Confronting Christianity: The Marriage Metaphor
Tuesday 18 March, 7.30pm – 9pm, Online
Join best-selling author and host of the Confronting Christianity podcast, Rebecca McLaughlin, to explore Christian views on relationships.
Speaker: Rebecca McLaughlin
Tickets £10, available from our website.
Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood
Thursday 20 March, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Join Chine McDonald as she deconstructs the myth of perfect motherhood that has been shaped by presentations of Mary.
Speaker: Chine McDonald
Tickets £12, available from our website.
Creative Meditations of Faith
Saturday 22 March, 10.30am – 3pm, Alban Room
A day of a contemplative and creative workshop in connection with Romola Parish’s exhibition of embroidery and poetry in ‘Crying in the Silicon Wilderness’.
Tutor: The Revd Dr Romola Parish
Tickets £25, available from our website.
Little Kingdoms: Post-Roman Verulamium
Thursday 3 April, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Join author and archaeologist Alex Harvey to explore the lesserknown territories from the history of Hertfordshire.
Speaker: Alex Harvey
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
The Strange Joyfulness of Bonhoeffer’s Prison Letters
Thursday 10 April, 7.30pm – 9pm, Alban Room and Online
Mark eighty years since the martyrdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by revisiting the letters he wrote whilst in Tegel Prison.
Speaker: Dr Ashley Cocksworth
Tickets £12 (£6 students), available from our website.
Stone Carving Workshops
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 April, 10.30am – 3pm, Alban Room
Introduction workshops to relief carving in stone. Learn the techniques of stone carving to produce a small piece of relief sculpture, which will be yours to keep. This might be a Celtic knot, a Tudor rose, or a design of your own. No previous experience is necessary.
Tutor: Alan Micklethwaite
Tickets £80 (or £150 for both days), available from our website.
Courses
An Introduction to Christian Doctrine (SACT)
Thursdays 9 January – 20 March, 7.30pm – 9.15pm, Online
This 10-week course will explore what sense can be made of religious language, introducing some basic issues on the margins of theology and the philosophy of religion: for example, how God can be known and how God can act in the world?
Tutor: The Revd Iain Lane
Tickets £135, available from our website.
Issues in Science, Technology and Faith (SACT & SACT+)
Tuesdays 25 February - 25 March, 7.30pm - 9.15pm, Online
In an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancements, these developments pose ethical dilemmas and prompt profound questions about human existence. In this course, re-examine the concept of being made in the image of God and consider the need for a renewed understanding of salvation.
Tutor: The Revd Tim Bull
Tickets £75, available from our website.
Old Testament Greek Study Day
Thursday 6 March, 10.30am – 3pm, Lawrence Room
Following on from the Greek summer school 2024 reading of Paul’s shipwreck in Acts 27, this day will focus on the Septuagint version of the book of Jonah. All abilities in Greek are welcome.
Tutor: Anthony Armstrong
Tickets £30, available from our website.
The Cappadocians (SACT & SACT+)
Wednesdays 12 March - 16 April, 7.30pm - 9.15pm, Online
In the late fourth century AD two brothers, Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa, and their friend Gregory of Nazianzus served as bishops and theologians in Cappadocia in what is now Turkey. This five-week course will introduce students to the historical context and the life of the early Church, as well as the theological teachings of the Cappadocians.
Tutor: The Revd Dr Ryan Gilfeather
Tickets £75, available from our website.
Learning
Visit our award-winning Education Centre for a school trip to remember.
Moonlight Wellbeing Days
Monday 6, Wednesday 8, Tuesday 28 January, 1.30pm - 3pm
Marvel at a seven metre wide Moon installation in the Nave with a special session for KS2 and KS3 students, featuring a yoga session under the Moon, followed by a worksheet trail.
£4.75 per pupil, email education@stalbanscathedral.org to book.
Roman Festival
Tuesday 21 January to Friday 24 January, 10am - 2.30pm
Bring history to life with our engaging Roman Festival, ideal for KS2 pupils. This immersive experience features a carousel of three interactive workshops, and the opportunity to meet our very own Roman Soldier! The main activities include Alban and the Romans, Roman Food, Artefact Blanket Dig.
£9.25 per pupil, email education@stalbanscathedral.org to book.
Holocaust Memorial Sessions
Thursday 30 and Friday 31 January, 10am - 12.15pm and 1pm3.15pm
January 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a pivotal moment in world history. We are offering special sessions where KS3, KS4, Year 6 and Sixth Form pupils can learn about the Holocaust and more recent Genocides. These sessions are held in association with the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Wiener Library.
£4.50 per pupil, email education@stalbanscathedral.org to book.
Science Festival
Wednesday 5 - Friday 7 February, 10am - 2.15pm
Our KS2 Science Festival day will include a carousel of activities which will be themed around the Moon/Space. The day also includes a planetarium show from the University of Hertfordshire’s / Bayford Observatory ‘Cosmos in the Classroom’.
£9.25 per pupil, email education@stalbanscathedral.org to book.
Planetarium
Wednesday 5 - Friday 7 February, 10am - 2.15pm
We are excited to welcome the University of Hertfordshire’s ‘Cosmos in the Classroom’, a mobile planetarium used to bring astronomy and astrophysics to life for schools. This incredible planetarium experience includes a captivating show, followed by a Q&A session, offering pupils the chance to dive deeper into the wonders of space.
£4.75 per pupil, email education@stalbanscathedral.org to book.
CSI Easter
Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 March, 10am - 2.15pm
The Case of the Missing Body is an interactive, enjoyable and engaging project in the Cathedral and is based on a police investigation where pupils are given the ‘crime brief’ and are invited to attempt to solve the ‘case of the missing body’. Suitable for KS2 pupils, the intention is to enable them to engage with the events of Good Friday through to Resurrection Sunday. In addition to learning, this educational project provides pupils with the opportunity to visit a place of worship, enriching their experience and knowledge of Christianity. This activity will be followed by an Easter Clay Tile workshop.
£9.25 per pupil, email education@stalbanscathedral.org to book.
To find out more about our full school programme, email the Learning Department on education@stalbanscathedral.org or call us on 01727 890212. Visit the Cathedral website for more details.
© Still Cast Photography
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Volunteer
Over 500 volunteers keep the Cathedral running day to day and are a vital part of the organisation.
Explore how you can get involved with the Cathedral through our volunteering opportunities on our website at www.stalbanscathedral.org/volunteers
Cathedral Library and Archives
Cathedral Library
© Toby Shepheard
Come and visit our cosy library to browse and borrow books or as a quiet space to read and work in. Make sure to visit our collection for Young Readers or join our monthly Book Club. Visit our website for more details about opening times.
The Archives
A treasure trove of photographs, books, letters, drawings, and other documents that tell the story of the Cathedral and Abbey. Email archives@stalbanscathedral.org to book a visit to the Archives.
© Toby Shepheard Photography
Young People
We offer an exciting array of groups for young people at the Cathedral.
Abbey Tots
Tuesdays, 10am, Offa Room
Come along to this popular parent and toddler group for pre-schoolers and their parents or carers. No charge, tickets available on our website. Donations welcome.
Abbey Tots Service
Thursdays, 10am, St Michael Chapel
Our service for pre-school age children includes Bible stories, songs and prayers, as well as a snack and special meal.
St
Albans Young Singers
Mondays, 4.45pm - 5.15pm (ages 4 - 6) and 5.15pm - 6pm (ages 7 - 12)
A lively singing group with fun and varied music. This group is open to anyone who is enthusiastic about music.
Xcite
Fridays, 6.30pm - 8pm, Alban Room
A youth group for those aged 8 - 12, meeting during term time. It is the perfect opportunity to socialise and have fun with friends.
Youth Group
1st and 3rd Sundays each month during term time, 7pm - 8.15pm
Our fun and sociable youth group for ages 13 - 17 meets for games, conversation, hot chocolate and activities twice a month.
Contact our Children and Youth team for more information: children@stalbanscathedral.org
© Toby Shepheard Photography
The Friends of St Albans Cathedral
The Friends of St Albans Cathedral is an independent charity providing financial and practical support to the Cathedral.
The Friends play a vital role in enabling the life and work happening in our glorious building to develop and thrive, as it has done for nearly 1000 years.
“The Friends of St Albans Cathedral is a key part of the ongoing flourishing of our mission and ministry through its generous support.”
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans
For more information on how to join the Friends and support our valuable work, visit us at www.stalbanscathedral.org/friends or email us at friends@stalbanscathedral.org. Alternatively, you can contact Hazel Ireson, Membership Secretary, on 01582 832312
Friends of St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral
Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY
A gift with a difference
Adopt St Albans Cathedral
Are you looking for a unique gift? By adopting part of St Albans Cathedral you will make a difference to the future of this place.
Support our Learning
By adopting an item in the Archives, you will support the Education Trust in its mission to ensure learning is at the heart of the Cathedral and protect our learning heritage for the future.
Preserve our Building
By adopting a Roman brick from the medieval tower you will support the future preservation of the Cathedral and its precincts.
Sustain our Music
By adopting a pipe, you help to support the Music Trust in its aims to maintain our Harrison & Harrison Organ and protect the Cathedral’s music for future generations.
Opening times
The Cathedral is open daily 9am - 5pm.
Please donate generously. We need to raise £6,000 a day to keep this Cathedral open. Scan the QR code to donate.
Tickets
Book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, in person at our Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or call 01727 890290.
For the latest information visit our website and sign up for our What’s On newsletter; www.stalbanscathedral.org/join-our-mailing-list
St Albans Cathedral
Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY Cathedral Office: 01727 890210
Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org
Registered Charity Number 1207312 www.stalbanscathedral.org
