THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETERTHE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN EXETER
This page is for anyone coming to the Cathedral for the first time, whatever the reason. It explains what you can expect and may help you get the most out of your visit.
Providing there is no service going on at the time, you may look around the Cathedral at your leisure. The Cathedral is normally open for visiting between 9.30am and 5pm. Usually you will be welcomed by a Steward wearing a red sash, who will give you a leaflet describing the layout of the Cathedral. You may also be asked to make a voluntary donation towards the upkeep of the Cathedral. There is no state aid as in other countries. It is the gifts of generations that ensures that it is still here for you to enjoy.
A Shop is to be found off the South Quire Aisle (shown on the leaflet). In the square immediately to the South of the Cathedral, known as the Cloisters, you will find toilets and the Refectory where you can find reasonably priced refreshment, from a cup of tea to a meal. It is open from 10am to 4.45pm daily except Sunday.
Free guided tours are available on most days. The times of these tours are posted in the Cathedral and can be found on the Notices page.
If you are coming with a group, please contact Catherine Escott, Visitors Officer on 01392 285983 so that suitable arrangements can be made. In this case you may wish to have the services of a trained guide at a time other than that of the normal daily tours. Please also make known any particular interests of your group as this will assist in the selection of an appropriate guide.
If it is a school group you are coming with, you may wish to use the Cathedral's educations facilities. The groups officer can be contacted on 01392 285983.
The Cathedral has a willing team of Voluntary Stewards who can be found throughout the building during the day. Distinguishable by their red sashes, they are there to answer your questions or point you in the right direction.
Please note that if you are going to make a donation to the Cathedral and you are a tax payer, putting your gift in one of the yellow Gift Aid envelopes and filling out the details will enable the Cathedral to get another 28% out of your gift. That means that if you were to put £5 in the envelope and fill it out it is worth £6.40 to the Cathedral! These envelopes are usually to be found at the exits, or ask a Steward.
If you are coming seeking spiritual help, please say to the Steward or Sidesman that greets you, that you would like to speak to the Duty Chaplain on duty from spring to autumn. You will be introduced to the chaplain and will not be asked for a donation. Confessions are not heard on a daily basis, but can be arranged by appointment. One of the clergy will be available after Evensong each day.
This is, after all, what the Cathedral was built for. You may be surprised to find that we are frequently asked "Do you still have services here?" The asker of this question is usually surprised by the answer. "Yes, at least 24 a week!"
If you are used to going to cathedral services then the Daily Services page will give you all the details.
On arrival at the Cathedral for an afternoon or evening service during the week or on a Sunday you will be greeted by a Sidesman (usually wearing a badge) who may give you a service sheet or booklet, as appropriate. The service sheets and booklets are normally returned at the end of the service for the next day. If the service sheet may be kept, the Sidesman will say so. A Sidesman may also show you to a seat.
If you have not been to a service before then what follows is some advice and what you can expect (and what may be expected of you).
Each type of service is described in turn. On special days the format of the service may vary from the description given here. The Daily Services page will give the details of what will apply to the day of your visit. If you are in doubt then contact the Department of Liturgy and Music (01392 270761) or the General Office (01392 255573).
Weekday Holy Communion. 8.00am Monday to Saturday.
This service lasts about 25 minutes and takes place in a different chapel each day. This ensures that all the chapels are used. There are normally up to 10 people so follow the others or ask a Virger (dressed in red) where the service will be. The service is read from the Common Worship booklets that are relatively easy to follow. It is a service of prayers and readings. There is no singing. At one point in the service the priest will say "Let us offer one another a sign of peace." At this point it is usual to turn to your immediate neighbours and shake their hand, saying "Peace be with you". Members in good standing of other Christian traditions are welcome to receive communion, the bread and wine symbolic of Christ's body and blood. If you have not been confirmed, or do not wish to receive communion then you may take your service booklet with you and you will receive a blessing instead, or you may remain in your seat.
Weekday Mattins. 8.30am Monday to Saturday.
This service lasts about 15 minutes and takes place in the Lady Chapel at the extreme East end of the Cathedral. You will be guided through the Common Worship book. It is a service of prayers and readings. There is no singing.
Weekday Holy Communion. 1.15pm Wednesdays only.
This service is very similar to the 7.50am Holy Communion, except that it is always held in the Lady Chapel.
Weekday Evensong. 5.30pm Monday to Friday. 3pm Saturdays.
This may seem a strange service with little "audience participation". As the name suggests, it is sung, but all the singing is usually by the choir. There may occasionally be a hymn. The service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), and is written in the lovely language of Thomas Cranmer (d.1556). Two or three Canons may attend with Virgers. The Canons (Cathedral priests) are dressed in academic dress and they carry, but never wear, their academic caps or 'mortar boards'. The service takes place in the Quire (where the Choir sings). [This spelling appears to be peculiar to Exeter, as is Virger as opposed to Verger.]
The service is printed on a single sheet of laminated card and is easy to follow. It may also be followed from the prayer book starting at page 19. It is customary for the congregation to sit while the choir sings the psalms but stand for the 'gloria'. i.e. when the choir sings "Glory be to the Father and to the Son...". The psalms are followed by a reading for which the congregation sits. After that the congregation stand for the singing of the Magnificat by the choir, then sit for the second reading and stand for the singing of the Nunc Dimittis. At the end of the Nunc Dimittis, the congregation remain standing and turn to face the High Altar when they recite the Apostles Creed (printed on the card). There is no sermon and a collection is only taken generally if a hymn is sung. The service usually lasts from about 45 minutes, but can be longer.
At evening services there is now a collection with funds going to the 3rd Millennium Campaign.
Weekday Evening Prayer.
Normally there is one day a week when the choir do not sing. This is often a Wednesday, but not always. In this case the sung service in the choir is replaced by a 5.30pm said service in the Lady Chapel along the lines of weekday mattins, described above.
Weekday Sung Eucharist.
On some Holy days the evening format changes. Evening Prayer is said in the Lady Chapel at 5pm and this is followed by a Sung Eucharist in the Quire. The format of this service resembles that of the 9.45am Sunday service. The choir sings and there are hymns. The Common Worship booklets are used. There may be a sermon and collection. The service lasts for about an hour.
Sunday 8am Holy Communion.
The service is held in the Quire and starts with the congregation kneeling. There is no music. The Book of Common Prayer is used, starting at page 236. The service lasts about 40 minutes.
Sunday 9.45am Sung Eucharist.
This is the most popular service and at just over an hour and a quarter is one of the longest. It takes place in the Nave and is usually followed by coffee (or tea or juice) in the Chapter House. The sermons are generally very good and not too long. The musical setting of a traditional mass is sung by the choir and four hymns are sung by the congregation. Holy Communion is administered. A collection is taken. If you are coming to a Cathedral service for the first time, then this is the one for you. You will be made welcome. Don't worry if you don't know the hymns or can't follow the service fully. Just enjoy being there.
Sunday 11.15am Mattins.
This is a BCP service (page 4) and is rather like a morning version of Evensong except that there is a sermon.
Sunday 3pm Evensong.
This is the same format as for weekday evensong but at an earlier time.
Sunday 5.00pm Evening Service.
A service sung by the Cathedral Voluntary Choir. There is a sermon and collection. It lasts for about an hour.
COLLECTIONS
Please note that if you are going to put something in the collection and you are a tax payer, putting your gift in one of the yellow Gift Aid envelopes and filling out the details will enable the Cathedral to get another 28% out of your gift. That means that if you were to put £5 in the envelope and fill it out it is worth £6.40 to the Cathedral. These envelopes are usually to be found by your seat or ask a Sidesman.
AND FINALLY...
We hope these notes will help you make the most of your first service here. If you have enjoyed the experience or found it rewarding then please come again, whenever and as often as you like. The Cathedral is there for you.
Return to Home Page