Fabric of Faith A Century of Vestments
Blackburn Cathedral will host a very special vestments exhibition from 27th March until 26th April 2026.
As part of our Centenary celebrations, we will host a vestments exhibition at Blackburn Cathedral from Friday 27th March until Sunday 26th April 2026.
Uncover the rich history and significance of the garments worn by clergy during worship, over the last century.
This exhibition - which will include historic pieces from our archive and brand new pieces, along with a stunning art installation by acclaimed British textile artist and designer Margo Selby - will explore how faith is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
About the Exhibition
This special exhibition will explore how faith is woven into the fabric of everyday life as we show the rich history and significance of the garments worn by clergy during worship, over the last century.
'Fabric of Faith' will showcase a range of historical pieces from the Cathedral archives, whilst also explaining the theology of religious garments and the rich history and importance of fabric production and weaving to our region.
New Centenary Vestments
As we look to the future, an exciting project to design and produce a new set of vestments to mark the Centenary will come to fruition, as these are unveiled as part of this exhibition.
Following the four liturgical colours, the new vestments will explore themes from the Bible whilst weaving together ideas of community, unity, and the Trinity.
Designed and woven by Margo Selby, the acclaimed British textile artist and designer, they will combine contemporary artistry with the traditional craft of hand weaving.
These new pieces will be both beautiful and symbolic and a wonderful way to mark this milestone.
Accompanying Art Installation
In addition to unveiling new vestments, the exhibition will be enhanced further by an accompanying large-scale artwork piece by Margo Selby.
Many will recall her project - Breathing Colour - which was displayed in Cathedral during The Festival of Making in 2024, and we are delighted that she is bringing her expertise and distinctive artistic vision to this project.
This striking new artwork will accompany and enhance this significant collaboration.
About Margo Selby
Margo Selby is a woven textile artist and designer, celebrated for her bold use of colour and pattern. Her work bridges the worlds of art and industry, characterised by geometric construction and a distinctive approach to colour.
From large-scale public installations to finely crafted interior accessories, Margo’s projects highlight the versatility and contemporary relevance of woven design.
At her Whitstable-based studio, Margo leads a dedicated team of skilled weavers who produce exceptional textiles for art, product collections, and bespoke commissions.
Visiting the Exhibition
Guests are welcome to view the exhibition during the Cathedral's normal opening hours (some entry restrictions may apply on certain days).
There is no charge to visit, however as a charity, we rely on donations to support the costs and visitor generosity enables us to continue hosting important events like this in the future.
Full visitor information and opening hours will be released in due course.
The Friends of Blackburn Cathedral
This exciting project to mark the Cathedral's Centenary has been made possible by the generous support of The Friends of Blackburn Cathedral.
The Friends warmly invite contributions from members, worshippers and all who value the Cathedral’s life and witness. Every gift, large or small, will help bring this special centenary project to fruition.
Please contact [email protected] should you wish to get involved and support this once in a lifetime project.
