A message from the Dean

We are delighted to welcome you to Rochester Cathedral and hope you enjoy your visit. The Cathedral celebrates and affirms all people regardless of ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexuality – all are included within the hospitality and love of God. Please be mindful of your neighbour as you move around the Cathedral and remember others may be praying. You are invited to light a candle at one of the votive stands and rest awhile. I hope the beauty of this sacred place will help refresh and restore you and we will see you back soon. Please consider making a donation to help keep this Cathedral open for future generations to enjoy. Go well.

The Very Reverend Dr Philip Hesketh AKC DL Dean of Rochester

What’s On

Rochester Cathedral has a vibrant programme of concerts, exhibitions and activities throughout the year. Here’s some of the events taking place soon. Visit our What’s On page to discover more about upcoming events

Coming soon at Rochester Cathedral

Events input
Women in Suffering and Cause & Effect | Exhibitions by Randa Saab
Oct 21
Women in Suffering and Cause & Effect | Exhibitions by Randa Saab

An exhibition of sculpture by Randa Saab focussing on the issues of the violence and trauma experienced by women and children, particularly in the Middle East.

Accompanied by Cause and Effect

Remembrance Day Civic Service
Nov 10
Remembrance Day Civic Service

Information on the Remembrance Sunday Civic service. A small number of seats will be available to the public on a first come, first served basis.

James Taylor Quartet | Jazz Festival 2024
Nov 12
James Taylor Quartet | Jazz Festival 2024

For over 30 years, the James Taylor Quartet have set the standard for the coolest sounds in funky acid jazz. On dozens of mighty albums and at their legendary gigs at home and around the world, they’ve quietly become a byword for distinguished British creativity.

Ticketed

BBC Big Band | Jazz Festival 2024
Nov 13
BBC Big Band | Jazz Festival 2024

Extra tickets added due to exceptional demand

Join the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band for a world-class evening of music. Expect swinging versions of classic TV and Movie themes from the likes of James Bond, The Pink Panther, Peter Gunn, and Mission: Impossible – alongside Big Band and Swing favourites chosen from the BBC Big Band extensive library of music … plus a few surprises along the way!

Ticketed

Upcoming Closures

Occasionally Rochester Cathedral is closed to visitors for events. Any upcoming closures will be listed below. Unless otherwise stated, all services will continue to take place.

Upcoming Closures
Cathedral to visitors until 12pm, Café open as normal
Nov 11
Cathedral to visitors until 12pm, Café open as normal
Cathedral and Café closed to visitors all day.
Nov 19
Cathedral and Café closed to visitors all day.
Cathedral closed from 2pm, Café remaining open
Nov 27
Cathedral closed from 2pm, Café remaining open
Cathedral closed to visitors from 12.30pm, Café open (Copy)
Dec 9
Cathedral closed to visitors from 12.30pm, Café open (Copy)
Articles
A Year in Review | 2023
A Year in Review | 2023

Dean of Rochester, Philip Hesketh looks back at 2023 at Rochester Cathedral in this short video.

Rochester Cathedral receives grant to support the Music Department
Rochester Cathedral receives grant to support the Music Department

Rochester Cathedral was thrilled to be the recipient of a grant from the Cathedral Music Support Programme. They join 28 other Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals and churches in receiving a share of £500,000 awarded by the Cathedral Music Trust.

Rochester Cathedral win at the Heart of KAB Awards
Rochester Cathedral win at the Heart of KAB Awards

Rochester Cathedral win Philanthropic Partner of the Year at the annual award show organised by the Kent Association for the Blind.

Earliest known recording of a live Cathedral choir rediscovered.
Earliest known recording of a live Cathedral choir rediscovered.

A chance discovery has uncovered, what is believed to be the earliest live recording of a Cathedral choir. It was recorded nearly 100 years ago in 1926 right here in Rochester.

Choir performs at St Paul's Cathedral for the 369th Clergy Support Trust Festival
Choir performs at St Paul's Cathedral for the 369th Clergy Support Trust Festival

Our choir were honoured to perform at St Paul’s Cathedral alongside the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral and Durham Cathedral on the 7th May.

Announcing Draco Roffensis: The Rochester Dragon
Announcing Draco Roffensis: The Rochester Dragon

Our summer exhibition opens on the 1st June. Meet Draco Roffensis - a spectacular dragon inspired by Textus Roffensis. Find out how you can get involved with creating this amazing artwork.

Part of Textus 900

Goodbye to the Fenland Black Oak Table
Goodbye to the Fenland Black Oak Table

After over a year at Rochester Cathedral, the Fenland Black Oak Table has left Rochester Cathedral. A look back over the events and activities we’ve hosted around this spectacular table

Choristers record special song for BBC supporting Maidstone United
Choristers record special song for BBC supporting Maidstone United

The Cathedral Choristers have been recording a special song with the BBC supporting Maidstone United as they reach the 5th stage of the FA Cup.

A Lent message from the Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester Cathedral
A Lent message from the Very Reverend Philip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester Cathedral

Dean Hesketh reflects on the season of Lent

Rochester Cathedral becomes registered charity
Rochester Cathedral becomes registered charity

On the 6th February Rochester Cathedral officially became a registered charity.

Update from the Cathedral following the fire of the 20th December
Update from the Cathedral following the fire of the 20th December

Rochester Cathedral will remain closed to visitors tomorrow (22nd December) to allow more time for specialist cleaning and ventilation following a small fire on the 20th December. Our morning services will take place in the Ithamar Chapel. Our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service will start at 7.30pm with doors opening at 6.45pm. We will reopen to visitors on the 23rd December.

The man who loved Cathedrals
The man who loved Cathedrals

Every Church of England Cathedral is to benefit from the generosity of one man who so loved cathedrals he spent ten years of his life on pilgrimage visiting each one and has left them all a bequest in his will. But the legacy is more than financial. Frank Buzzard, who died last year at the age of 95, wrote his own guide to each of the cathedrals too, ranging from short reports to what he called an “epic poem.”

Diocese of Rochester

The Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Rochester and Mother Church of the Diocese of Rochester. The diocese covers West Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley. Discover more

Who's who in your Cathedral

Find out who is in the Cathedral team here.

Safeguarding

The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults visiting and participating in Cathedral activities is important to us. You can find out more about our safeguarding policies here.