Explore > Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral is living testament to over 1300 years of history and worship. St. Wilfrid built the first church here in AD672, and the present cathedral is the fourth to be constructed on the site. Parts of all the original buildings remain and have been incoporated as each new minster was built. The misericords carved in the 15th century are amongst the finest examples in the UK, and are said to have inspired Lewis Carroll and Wilfred Owen. The minster became a cathedral in 1836 with the creation of the Anglican Diocese of Ripon, and today it is the seat of the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds.