Services Today
- 8.30 Morning Prayer St Oswald's Chapel
- 12.15 Holy Communion St Oswald's Chapel
- 5.30 Evensong The Quire
View Services and Music list →
- Wednesday Minster Tours 29th Jun 2022 10:00am, Southwell Minster
- Wednesday Minster Tours 6th Jul 2022 10:00am, Southwell Minster
- Friday Lunchtime Concert: Rosemary Braddy (mezzo) & Will Burn (baritone) 8th Jul 2022 1:30pm, The Nave
- 21st Century ABBA 8th Jul 2022 7:00pm, The Palace Gardens
Welcome to Southwell Minster
To aid ventilation, our west door will remain open during the day and so as we approach the colder months, we'd like to remind people to wrap up warm when visiting.
The Chapter House is now reopen after the installation of a new cantilever lift which now provides full access to this glorious part of the Minster.
With the easing of Covid-restrictions, the Minster will assume a more familiar feel whether you are coming to worship or to visit:
For more information on what this means, please click the following worship and visitor updates.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Our Sunday worship continues online – please join us for one of our online services if you cannot make it in person.
We would also be delighted to receive any prayer requests to be included in our daily Morning Prayer. Please send to dean@southwellminster.org.uk.
Please send all general enquiries (including about weddings, baptisms and funerals) to office@southwellminster.org.uk.
Welcome to Southwell Minster
This message from the Dean was recorded before the current pandemic.
For over 900 years Southwell Minster has opened its doors every day to welcome visitors, pilgrims and worshippers. Some are local, many from further afield and across the world.
As the Dean I am privileged to walk into this beautiful cathedral every day. Every time I’m struck by its peaceful and gentle atmosphere, and I often notice a detail in a window or on a carving for the first time. There’s so much here to see. The Minster, tucked away in the delightful Nottinghamshire market town of Southwell, has witnessing tumultuous events in history – battles and wars nearby, religious squabbles, times of uncertainty and upheaval; and yet today, as over all the centuries, women and men and children find inspiration, faith and comfort surrounded by these prayer soaked stones.
We’re excited by new opportunities to discover how the Minster’s past speaks in fresh ways today. Here in the Chapter House the exquisite naturalistic stone carvings of leaves and animals and foliage have fascinated and delighted visitors since they were carved in the late thirteenth century. They are among the finest in Europe. It is thought that the Chapter House was built over baptism pools, for we know deep beneath here are wells – known about from Roman times – so, the town of ‘South- well’ gets its name! The water of baptism marks the entry into the Christian faith. This was a place of new beginnings.
Perhaps we’re standing in a forest, with life and growth and beauty all around us? Are the medieval stonemasons showing us how human beings, and all creation, flourish best when we draw from the deep wells of God’s life and love and goodness? The two-year project will repair, conserve and help unlock the discover more. Come and see work in progress!
First-time visitors, especially children, walk into the nave, the main body of the church, and find that their eyes are drawn upwards. Towards the figure of ‘Christus Rex’, ‘Christ the King’ prominent over the nave arch, leaning forward with arms outstretched. It’s as if Christ himself is running to embrace and welcome all who come. It’s a wonderful image of warmth and homecoming, which even total strangers feel.
Whether your visit is virtual on the website, we look forward to welcoming you to Nottinghamshire’s cathedral.
The Very Reverend Nicola Sullivan
Dean of Southwell
Events and Activities
Buy Online at the Cathedral Shop
Enjoy exploring our collection of cathedral and religious gifts. All the profits made from your purchase help us to maintain Southwell Minster for future generations. Thank you for your support. Visit the Shop Front or dive in and choose a selection below.
NORMAL OPENING TIMES
Monday to Saturday 8.30am – 6.30pm
Sunday 8am – 4.30pm
REDUCED OPENING TIMES
27 December to 1 January
9am – 4pm
QUICK LINKS
SAFEGUARDING
Ensuring that children and young people as well as adults are kept safe whilst in our care is an integral part of our church life. If you have any concerns about safeguarding, please contact:
In the Minster
Vicky Thorpe, Safeguarding Co-ordinator: 01636 817285
In the Diocese
All safeguarding concerns should be directed to the Diocesan Safeguarding team on 01636 817200
during working hours. For non-urgent advice and queries, including DBS advice, please email the safeguarding team at safeguarding@southwell.anglican.org