‘A lovely comfortable seat!’

Tuesday June 4th 2024

Rows of new chairs which were dedicated by Archbishop John McDowell at Belfast Cathedral on June 2.

Belfast Cathedral’s new chairs have been declared to be roomy and comfortable by those who occupied them during the 120^th anniversary services on Sunday June 2.

The 200 cushioned and 300 wooden seats were dedicated at the Service of Choral Matins that morning by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev John McDowell.

The Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, said the new seats are easier to move and stack than the original chairs which had served the Cathedral for 120 years.

Many have been given in memory of family members and by members of the Cathedral community. Others have been given in thanksgiving, and a number of the commercial companies who supply the Cathedral have made significant contributions.

Families who had donated chairs were present on June 2 when, as well as the morning service, a later service of Holy Communion was attended by clergy and representatives of parishes across the dioceses of Connor and Down and Dromore.

Jane Green and her mother Ruby donated a chair in memory of Jane’s late father, the Rev Canon Harry Trimble. After sitting on one of the wooden chairs during the morning service, Jane declared it to be ‘not as tight as the old chairs and much more comfortable!’

Dr Marion Gibson was also at the service. Chatting with Bishop Trevor Williams and his wife Joyce, Marion said the new cushioned chair was ‘very upright, and a lovely comfortable seat.’

The names of those who donated chairs were listed in the Order of Service at both of Sunday’s celebrations and will be displayed on a plaque in the Cathedral.

Donations for chairs can be made directly by BACS transfer to the Cathedral’s bank account (see www.belfastcathedral.org/news for bank details). Alternatively, a donation can be made by scanning the QR Code (right) or download a donation form.