Portsmouth Diocese centenary celebrations launched with 99s for all

The Church of England’s Diocese of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Cathedral launched next year’s centenary celebrations - with ice cream 99s for all.

 It was on May 1, 1927 that the Diocese of Portsmouth was officially created, carved out of the Diocese of Winchester, covering CofE parishes in south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. And it was on 4th October 1927 that St Thomas’s Church in Old Portsmouth became Portsmouth Cathedral. Two days later, Bishop Neville Lovett was enthroned there as the first Bishop of Portsmouth.

So worshippers enjoyed a special Eucharist in the cathedral last night (Sunday 11 October) - followed by 99-style ice creams to reflect the fact that both the diocese and the cathedral have now clocked up 99 years of service. They sampled the 99s from an ice-cream van parked outside the cathedral’s west door.

Among those sampling the ice-creams were the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Abdul Kadir, cathedral head girl chorister Evelyn Cowhig and Archdeacon of Portsdown, the Ven Bob White. (pictured in Centenary launch 1)

Guests then heard about the special services, exhibitions, displays and mission events that will mark out 2027 as a special centenary year. Those events are designed to thank God for the past, celebrate the worshippers who make up the diocese in the present, and leave a legacy for future generations.

One way in which the diocese is focussing on the present is with photographic portraits of 100 current worshippers from our churches and cathedral, accompanied by stories about their faith. The ‘100 Faces’ project is designed to be a snapshot of just who is part of the diocese in 2027.

The launch event featured the unveiling of the first of the 100 portraits - a 120cm-high image of Tano Osu-Bovi, aged 17, who helps to lead worship at St Jude's Church, Southsea. Tano was there in person to help unveil the image, alongside her family as well as some of the others who have already had their portraits taken by professional photographer Peter Langdown.

Portsmouth became a city in 1926, in anticipation that the Diocese of Portsmouth would be created in April 1927 and the cathedral would come into being in October 2027. Our churches have been celebrating the centenary of Portsmouth’s city status being granted during 2026, ahead of their own anniversary next year. 

Among the events to look forward to in 2027 are:

• the Spring 2027 edition of the @CofEPortsmouth magazine will be a special commemorative brochure, detailing the history of the diocese and cathedral, and telling stories of the past 100 years. 

• an exhibition within our cathedral, including artefacts from the past, such as handwritten sermons by Portsmouth's first bishop – Bishop Neville Lovett.

• the exhibition of ‘100 Faces’ will fill the nave of Portsmouth Cathedral from April 4-24 next year, alongside moving stories about their faith. Those photos, stories and some videos of these people will also be shared on the diocesan website and social media every few days during 2027.

• the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Sarah Mullally, will be leading a service in Portsmouth Cathedral on Saturday 1st May to mark precisely 100 years since the Diocese of Portsmouth was formed – on May 1, 1927. Invited guests, including former church leaders, civic dignitaries, and representatives from parishes and church schools, will thank God for the past 100 years.

• the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, will lead a special outdoor service on Sunday 18 July, on Governor’s Green in Old Portsmouth. It will be a colourful, lively celebration, suitable for all the family. 

• and there’s another special service precisely 100 years since Portsmouth Cathedral was hallowed, on October 4, 1927. This special Evensong on Monday 4th October will use some of the liturgy from the 1927 service.

To find out more information, see: www.portsmouth.anglican.org/100