81. DOORWAY TO URSULA PORCH

The Eastern ambulatory runs across the back of the sanctuary. At the Southern end it opens out to the Ursula Porch. The crest above this door is that of John Victor Macmillan, the Second Bishop of Guildford, 1934–1949.   PLAN

82. URSULA PORCH ITEMS

There are various items to be seen in the Ursula Porch. A small niche contains a statue of St Ursula – a Romano-British Christian saint, who died in 383. There is little definite information about her and the anonymous group of holy virgins who accompanied her and on some uncertain date were killed at Cologne. Nearby stands a large block engraved with a shield and emblem..    

83. ROYAL BRICKS

As part of the buy a brick campaign, five members of the Royal Family signed a brick during a visit in 1957. These were ‘Philip’, ‘Elizabeth R’, ‘Mary’ [Princess Royal], ‘Margaret’, and ‘Marina’ [Duchess of Kent]. The bricks are on display in the Ursula Porch.

84. EAST AMBULATORY

We look through the Ursula Porch door along the length of the East ambulatory. Above the door in large letters is the text ‘The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms’. You might like to compare #17. Notice that the right view is looking in the other direction – towards the Ursula Porch. We can see the steps up to the Lady Chapel, and a special staff.

85. PILGRIM’S STAFF AND ARCHITECT MAUFE

The staff is known as ‘The Pilgrim’s Staff’ and was made by Charles Piggott. Opposite is the bust of Sir Edward Brantwood Maufe, RA, FRIBA (1882 – 1974) who was the English architect and designer who designed this Cathedral. He built private homes as well as commercial and institutional buildings, and is noted chiefly for his work on places of worship and memorials. Another of his best known buildings is the Air Forces Memorial.     

86. WEST WALL OF EAST AMBULATORY

On the West wall of the East Ambulatory, opposite the Lady Chapel, are various lists of clergy. There is a list of bishops of Guildford and a list of deans, memorial stones for several of the bishops and one for ‘The Pilgrim Way’. In the centre is a large stone which is obviosly historic – the Foundation Stone of the Cathedral.

87. GLIMPSE OF LADY CHAPEL

We complete our tour of Guildford Cathedral by exploring the Lady Chapel. From the outside, there are glimpses through the partitioning screen.

88. REAR OF LADY CHAPEL

Entering the chapel and looking back we see up high a small organ, and at each side a colourful banner.

89. LADY CHAPEL BANNERS

Each of the banners carries the Mothers’ Union symbol, and depicts the Virgin Mary carrying the child Jesus.

90. SCREEN AND STONE

On the back wall below the screen we notice this curious stone with text: ‘This Jerusalem Stone witnesseth that the crypt under the Lady Chapel was used for divine service from 1947 to 1961’. Building work on the Cathedral started in 1936, but work was stopped by the Second World War and its devastating aftermath. Despite enormous setbacks, regular services were held in the Crypt Chapel (the current Choir practice room) from 1947 until the Cathedral opening in 1961.

91. HISTORIC PHOTO OF CRYPT CHAPEL

This is an historic photo from the Cathedral archives showing the Crypt Chapel as it was while being used for services.

92. LADY CHAPEL CEILING

The chapel ceiling is blue and white, and decorated with golden stars and fleurs-de-lis – a common symbol for Mary. The picture at right gives a closer view of the organ.

93. NORTH SIDE OF CHAPEL

The North wall of the chapel is mostly bare, but towards the altar end is the Cathedral icon, The Jesse Tree. At its centre is Jesus Christ, enthroned on the lap of his mother. Around him in the Jesse Tree are his ancestors of the line of Jesse. Near the icon is a comfortable chair with a mitre on the back, and colourful cushions carrying the image of angels and the Cathedral crest, along with tongues of fire.

94. LADY CHAPEL

Time to stand back and appreciate the whole chapel. The altar with its cross and two candles stands within a gold curtained apse. At right a Bible rests on a small desk, and at left is an aumbry. Behind is a backlit image of the Madonna and Child.