The cost of Cathedrals
I went to Kent Cricket Club today and because of the weather, 
thought I’d let the train take the strain.
Before I left the Club I had a quick look at the timetable and found I would have about half an hour to spare, so thought I would pop into Canterbury Cathedral just to light a candle and have some quiet time.
When I approached the gate I noticed the Booth there and was told I would have to pay, I think it was £1.50. I told the young lass why I was going in and she, without any hesitation, said that was OK and I wouldn’t have to pay- Fair enough and well handled I felt.
I went into the Crypt for my ‘quiet time’, paid the suggested 20p for a candle (don’t mind that too much) and sat down. Fine, until the guided tour came along and I was subjected to the history of ‘The Black Knight’ for about ten minutes and the cameras going off.
I fully respect that tourists and visitors want to walk round and it is after all ‘The Big One’ in the Anglican world, but I find myself within uneasy about the whole thing of charging. I’ve grown up under the impression that the Church is the largest landowner in the country and isn’t exactly short of a bob or two? Also, what image does this put over that people have to pay to go in, what is apparently, a place of Worship.
I am aware that most Cathedrals will waive the tariff if you say you are there for ’spiritual’ reasons and fair enough. But if you are and want that little bit of peace on a rainy busy day, maybe just a walk in the woods is best. That’s what I normally do by the way!
I would have also thought there would be a designated area for people to be at peace and possibly console themselves or find an answer they’ve been looking for.
Maybe I’m just getting a grumpy old git, but was I like others - in a busy city on a busy day, lots of noise, hussle bussle, cold and damp and just needing that special somewhere to sit down and sort a few things out in your mind in peace and quiet?
I can see the ‘London Eye’ was built with the purpose of making money and attracting tourists and I’m sure the builders are very proud and pleased with the results. But Cathedrals were built to worship in and what if the builders came back and saw this!
The positive is that it was open atall as most churches are now closed because of vandalism and theft.
Just another day in another year of our cultural change!
Footnote - The person I was lighting the candle for would have had a good laugh about it though!!!
mmm, I see your point. But if cathedrals find they are being used as a tourist entertainment maybe they have a point too. Old buildings are not the cheapest to maintain, and maybe not the most suitable for modern use, but they have to keep them up.
I’m sorry your quiet time was interupted, hope you found the space you needed.
Recently we marked a year since Nana went to glory, and my husband took some time to go to our cathedral, light a candle and talk with God.
The catherdral runs tours. Although they are timed around the services, they could still happen while someone was seeking some santuary. I think you are right Richard, there should be common sense meassure to keep the two separate, as you can still be on a tour while someone is praying or having a quiet moment, but those things are considerably more difficult while a tour is happening!
But I think the people using the building have it better than the tourists. You might use the building for quiet, which you can have elsewhere. You might use it for a sense of grandure to inspire you, which you can get elsewhere. You might use it, as my husband did, to talk to God, but you can do that anywhere!
If you are using the cathedral it must be horrible to have that space/time distrubed. And personally I think that use is far more important than the curiosity or interest of the tourist, but atleast you don’t HAVE to be there, they do!