Description of the attraction
Cathedral Church of St. Thomas (Thomas) Beckett in Portsmouth, better known as Portsmouth Gathering, is located in the heart of old Portsmouth.
In 1180, Jean de Gisor, believed to be the founder of the city of Portsmouth, allocated a plot of land to the Augustinian monks to build a chapel there "to the glory of the Martyr Thomas of Canterbury." In the XIV century, the chapel became a parish church, in the XX century - a cathedral. The altar and transept have been preserved from the original building. This architectural style is called "transitional" - from Norman to early English.
The church survived during a raid by the French invaders in 1337. In 1449, the Bishop of Chichester was killed by local sailors, for which the townspeople were excommunicated, and the church was closed. In 1591, a prayer service in the Church of St. Thomas is performed by Queen Elizabeth I.
In 1683-93, the old nave and tower were dismantled, and a new nave, side-chapels and western tower were built in their place. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the church was closed for restoration. In 1927, the diocese of Portsmouth was created, the church became a cathedral. Plans to expand and rebuild the church are thwarted by World War II - and rebuilding is postponed until 1990. There are 12 bells on the tower of the cathedral, and a beautiful organ in the cathedral.
