What Is Middlesbrough Cathedral And What Are Its Interesting Features?

The Cathedral of St Mary is the seat of the Bishop of Middlesbrough, currently the Rt Rev John Crawley, and is the mother church of the Diocese of Middlesbrough, which covers East and North Yorkshire as well as parts of Teeside. It was opened in 1986 in Coulby Newham, a suburb of Middlesbrough, after the closure of the old Cathedral in the centre of the town. The foundation stone was blessed by Rt Rev Bishop Augustine Harris on Sunday 3rd November 1985.  The location of St Mary's is somewhat strange for a place of worship. It lies to the edge of a large retail park, which attracts hundreds of shoppers per day. The Church is a modern, light building and is said to be similar to the Roman Catholic cathedral in Liverpool. One of its most controversial features is a large, colourful collage of God's creation. The work of art is either loved or hated by parishioners and visitors alike.