St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Kneelers
The Facts
The inspiration for the kneelers came from Grace and Oswald Sitwell, following a visit to Guildford Cathedral. In 1952 they approached the Provost, the Very Reverend John Waddington, and asked if he would like a set of kneelers for the Cathedral which was at that time about to undergo enlargement works. Set with the challenge of making a thousand kneelers, the Sitwells devised a scheme which encouraged every parish in the Diocese to create two each.
The full story of the project can be read here.
In 2024 we welcomed chairs to the Cathedral. This prompted the start of our Kneeler project, where we offered Suffolk parishes the chance to have their kneeler returned to their churches. The Cathedral still has 500 kneelers, almost one from each parish in the diocese. If you’d like to look at any of the parish kneelers, please ask a volunteer.
Here is the Edmund prayer which you might like to use
Christ Jesus, with the life and martyrdom of St Edmund, King of East Anglia, you inspired generations of pilgrims in the way of love and hope. Enfold your Church in the mystery of your wounded and risen glory, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, are present eternally. Amen.
If you’d like a more in-depth tour, Cathedral Tours are available! Please speak to a welcomer to find out more details.