Southwark Cathedral: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Southwark Cathedral or St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge.

It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark.

The main railway line from London Bridge station to Cannon Street station passes uncomfortably close to the cathedral, blocking the view from the south side.

History

The main structure of the church was built between 1220 and 1420. It was a parish church which only became a cathedral early in the 20th century. Its first and longest serving organist was Dr E T Cook who would broadcast daily on the BBC radio during the 1920s and 30s. In 2002, Southwark Cathedral's Millennium buildings received an award for being one of the best new buildings of the year.

There is another cathedral in Southwark - the Roman Catholic St George's Cathedral Southwark.