Cathedral Hosts Joyful Diocesan Centenary Celebration

The centenary Eucharist took place exactly 100 years to the day since the Diocese was created, on 12 November 1926, when an ‘Order in Council’ established the Diocese and elevated St Mary’s Parish Church to Cathedral status.

Across subsequent decades, the Diocese has served communities across Lancashire sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through parish churches, schools, chaplaincies, and countless acts of Christian service.

The Rt. Revd. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, led the service and preached in his sermon about the work of the past ‘generation of careful builders who have built that part of the church of God which is the Diocese of Blackburn’.

Looking to the future, the Bishop said:

We will never give up or let up as God’s builders. The fire of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will never be extinguished. And across Lancashire we will declare it with every breath in our bodies. For the Christ we proclaim is truth and life and the world’s only hope. And the building we build is his celestial body. Which is why we are and will always be a people of joy. We rejoice because Jesus has triumphed. We rejoice because this Diocese is his. We rejoice because he will never, ever let us go.

Alongside many civic dignitaries, ecumenical guests, representatives from church schools and community organisations, the service was attended by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker, JP, who, in a message in the order of service, paid tribute to the vast contribution the Diocese has made to the county over the last century:

For one hundred years, the Church has been a steadfast presence in Lancashire, nurturing faith, prayer and worship while offering friendship and practical support to communities across the county.

This anniversary is an opportunity to recognise the dedication of clergy, congregations and volunteers, whose service has contributed so much to the life of Lancashire. My warmest congratulations and good wishes to everyone celebrating this historic milestone.

Also in attendance were many former Bishops, Archdeacons, Canons and other senior clergy who have served Blackburn Diocese over the past one hundred years and throughout the service, worshippers reflected on the generations of Christians whose faithfulness has shaped communities across Lancashire over the last century.

The Revd. Canon Andrew Horsfall, Interim Dean of Blackburn, highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that the Cathedral and Diocese have grown together since 1926, commenting:

This is a very special moment in the life of both diocese and Cathedral. For one hundred years our stories have been intimately bound together and today gives us an opportunity to look back with gratitude, to give thanks to God for all that we share in the present, and to look forward with faith and hope.

Blackburn Cathedral is here to serve the whole diocese and my hope is that everyone who comes through our doors will know that they are not simply visitors, but pilgrims and friends, truly at home in their Cathedral.

The celebration service brought together clergy and lay people from parishes in every corner of Lancashire. Fittingly for the centenary, also present – at the invitation of Bishop Philip – was 100 year-old Eric, from St Andrew’s Church in Cleveleys.

Speaking today, Bishop Philip added:

Last night was a wonderful opportunity to pause, give thanks and reflect on all that God has done through the life of this Diocese over the last 100 years. For a century our churches, schools and chaplaincies have shared the love of Jesus Christ in communities large and small. Through times of challenge and times of celebration, faithful Christians have proclaimed the Gospel, served their neighbours and helped countless people discover the hope that is found in Christ.

Our centenary theme ‘All for Jesus’ reminded us that everything we do is rooted in our love for Him and in his love for the people of Lancashire. We are deeply grateful for all those who have gone before us and for their legacy. Yet our focus is not simply on what has been achieved. We believe God is calling us onwards with renewed confidence, courage and joy. We have paused briefly to celebrate our past, but we now look forward expectantly to our next century of mission and ministry across Lancashire.

The service marked the culmination of a remarkable centenary year that has been celebrated under the overarching diocesan theme of ‘All for Jesus’ with many centenary events taking place across the county.

The Cathedral has delivered a spectacular calendar of centenary events including a number of high-profile exhibitions and art installations including The Longest Yarn, TIME by Luxmuralis, The Turin Shroud, Fabric of Faith, Table for the Nation, Parishes in Bloom and the acclaimed Tyndale Bible exhibition, as well as more than 40 concerts, hundreds of acts of worship along with many community engagement events and much more.

The Diocese of Blackburn Centenary Thanksgiving Service can be rewatched via the Cathedral’s YouTube Channel.

Blackburn Cathedral Centenary: 1926-2026

This event was one of a number of flagship events taking place during 2026, our Centenary year.

Learn more about our Centenary celebrations and see how you can get involved.