Blackburn Cathedral

08/10/2026

WOW! 🤯 We did it! Cover to Cover ✅

* Blackburn Cathedral Marks Centenary With Non-Stop Bible Reading *

Hundreds of volunteer readers took their turn at the lectern as Blackburn Cathedral hosted a non-stop reading of the Bible over four days.

As part of our centenary celebrations, and in recognition of the life of William Tyndale who first published the Bible in English exactly 500 years ago, the entire Bible was read aloud from start to finish.

Individual voices from across the diocese each delivered a 15 minute passage during the reading marathon which was livestreamed on the Cathedral’s website and on YouTube – attracting thousands of viewers from all over the world.

Teams of people from all walks of life were involved – many took time out of their working day, stayed late into the evening or arrived early in the morning ready to take their turn – whilst some groups even slept in the Cathedral overnight to ensure the reading didn’t stop.

Volunteer participants came from across the county and included members of many individual parishes, staff from the Cathedral and along with Christians in the free-churches through partnerships with Churches Together Blackburn.

Speaking as the reading came to a close, organiser the Revd. Canon James Lawrence, Canon Missioner at Blackburn Cathedral, said:

"We want to say a massive thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who helped ensure this mammoth undertaking was such a success. It simply couldn’t have happened without the people of Blackburn and Lancashire coming together.

It has also been a particular joy to have welcomed hundreds of people to the Cathedral who visited to simply sit and listen to passages of the Bible being read aloud over the last 76 hours.

Reading the Bible from cover to cover has been an amazing project. It has been months in the planning, involving hundreds of friends from across the county, and it has been a wonderful opportunity to listen to God’s word and allowing him to speak to our hearts.

Our prayer for Blackburn and Lancashire is that we continue to be shaped by the words and message of the Bible."

Learn more about the Tyndale 500 Exhibition on display at the Cathedral at blackburncathedral.com/tyndale

07/10/2026

Join us for the final stretch of the Cover to Cover reading of the Bible.

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Tyndale publishing the Bible ...

06/10/2026

The Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers 2026 competition will take place on Saturday 24th October at Blackburn Cathedral

Two singers together with pianists from each of seven UK music colleges have been chosen to perform and be considered for a number of generous bursaries to support their continuing studies.

Colleges:
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Royal Academy of Music
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Royal College of Music
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
RNCM - Royal Northern College of Music
Trinity Laban

Join us on the day!
Performances are open to the public, starting at 10.30am
Final: 6.30pm
Presentation of Prizes: 8pm

Tickets will be available on the door only: £20 / concs £10 - includes Bursary programme

Blackburn Cathedral
Cathedral Close
Blackburn BB1 5AA
Contact: [email protected]

This year's candidates and Jury members will be announced over the coming weeks: follow us here Kathleen Ferrier Society for all the updates.

02/10/2026

* Harvest Festival at The Table For The Nation *

All are warmly invited to attend the Cathedral Eucharist on Sunday 4th October at 10.30am as we celebrate our Harvest Festival.

We will be using the Table for the Nation as part of our worship, with harvest gifts being displayed and the Eucharist being celebrated at the head of the Table.

Congregational seating will be arranged around the Table, so that we can gather around the gifts that God gives to us - both the physical gifts of food, and the spiritual gifts of the Eucharist.

We are aiming to make a sizeable donation to Blackburn Foodbank so if you are able, please bring non-perishable food items to support local people most in need.

26/09/2026

* COVER TO COVER * at Blackburn Cathedral:

From Sunday 4th October until Wednesday 7th October the whole Bible will be read aloud, continuously, cover to cover.

This is a major undertaking that forms part of our centenary celebrations. It will take us 76 hours, non-stop!

Hundreds of people have already signed up to take part and deliver a 15 minute passage - and we'd love for you to join them in this significant event.

UPDATE: Here are the available slots as of 26th Sept:

> Sunday 4th October - afternoon into early evening available.

> Monday 5th October - Morning FULL - afternoon into early evening available.

> Tuesday 6th October - Morning FULL - afternoon into early evening available.

> Wednesday 7th October - Just two lunchtime slots left.

Please note that all of the overnight slots have been filled so we only need readers during the times above.

To find out more and sign up for your chosen 15 minute slot, please visit: blackburncathedral.com/cover

Please share with anyone you think may be interested in taking part - and of course if you don't want to join in, you are more than welcome to come along to the Cathedral and listen in from 8.30am - 8.30pm each day. The entire event will also be broadcast live on our website and YouTube channel. Link in bio.

As part of Blackburn Cathedral's centenary celebrations, hear the whole Bible read aloud, cover to cover, non-stop over 3 days. All are welcome to take part.

15/09/2026

We're delighted to be taking part in Heritage Open Days 2026 and there are still places available on our FREE Cathedral Tours taking place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday this week. To book your place please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/heritage-open-days-2026-4856955/

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have passed through our famous West Doors many times before, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the building’s rich history, stunning architecture and the stories that have shaped Cathedral life over the last century.

The tours are perfect for anyone with an interest in local history, architecture, heritage, English cathedrals or simply wishing to discover somewhere new.

Our knowledgeable guides will share fascinating insights into the Cathedral’s past and present, bringing its history to life through stories and its most interesting features – including some of the country’s most significant pieces of modern religious art.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Heritage Open Days – the perfect opportunity to explore this remarkable building.

14/09/2026

Blackburn Cathedral Choir is our Choir of the Month for September 2026. The Diocese of Blackburn celebrates its centenary this year, marking 100 years since the church, consecrated 200 years ago in 1826, was elevated to Cathedral status in 1926. This Sunday 13 September, the Choir will lead a service of Choral Evensong at 4pm, for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity and the Diocese of Blackburn Centenary Mission Day.

Choral Evensong takes place at Blackburn Cathedral every Sunday at 4pm, and every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 5pm.

11/09/2026

Fascinating article about Richard Durrant ahead of his forthcoming concert at Blackburn Cathedral - well worth a read!

https://www.mag-north.com/posts/richard-durrant-bog-oak-guitar-blackburn-cathedral

More details about the concert and tickets are available at: blackburncathedral.com/durrant

Preserved beneath the Fenlands for five millennia, England’s black oak carries the memory of a vanished landscape. At Blackburn Cathedral, Richard Durrant will bring an extraordinary guitar into conversation with the monumental Table for the Nation

06/09/2026

This morning at the 9am Parish Eucharist and 10-30am Cathedral Eucharist. we are delighted to welcome as Preacher - The Very Revd Christopher Armstrong, Dean Emeritus.