St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Lady Chapel

The Facts

The Lady Chapel was added as part of the 1960s alterations by Stephen Dykes Bower to the Cathedral building. Previously the Lady Chapel had been at the East end of the south aisle.

This light-filled chapel contains a beautiful statue of Mary and child by Lenny Goff. It is carved in limewood and depicts Mary as a slightly older mother with a toddler, rather than babe in arms.

You will also find the Mothers’ Union banner on display, a memorial to Ella Joyce Cockram, the first female doctor in Bury St Edmunds.

The Lady Chapel is set aside for personal prayer. Near the candlestand is a depiction of the Martyrdom of St Edmund by Irish artist Brian Whelan.

Madonna Statue from an Angle
Lady Chapel Altar
Edmund Whelan

Find out more about the work of the Mothers’ Union worldwide via the link below.

www.mothersunion.org

Did you know…?

  • The Cathedral has a branch of the Mothers’ Union which meets on the third Tuesday of each month.
  • Brian Whelan often incorporates sweet wrappers into his paintings. Look at the Vikings’ shields.

If you’d like a more in-depth tour, Cathedral Tours are available! Please speak to a welcomer to find out more details.