Marking 100 years of the Diocese of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Cathedral
THE Church of England's Diocese of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Cathedral will mark their centenaries in 2027 by celebrating the past, present and future.
The diocese was carved out of the Diocese of Winchester in 1927, when St Thomas's Church in Old Portsmouth became a cathedral. It was the prospect of this church becoming a cathedral that paved the way for Portsmouth to achieve city status in 1926 - which is why the City of Portsmouth is celebrating its centenary this year. The Diocese of Portsmouth oversees CofE parishes and church schools across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
To mark 100 years, worshippers will thank God for the faithful Christians who shaped the diocese and cathedral in the past; they will celebrate how God is working across the diocese in the present; and they will launch activities that leave a legacy for the future.
The precise date on which the Diocese of Portsmouth was created was 1st May 1927. So exactly 100 years later - on Saturday 1st May, 2027 - the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Sarah Mullally, will help to lead a special service in Portsmouth Cathedral, to thank God for the past 100 years. The service will involve invited guests from the past, civic dignitaries, and representatives from parishes and church schools.
Before that, there will be a chance to focus on the present-day Christian community. Professional photographer Peter Langdown is capturing portraits of 100 different worshippers from churches across the diocese as part of the '100 Faces' project, which aims to create a snapshot of who is part of our diocese in 2027. Those life-size portraits will go on display in Portsmouth Cathedral from April 4-24, 2027.
Each of the models has been nominated by specific parishes or by our cathedral. Some have been congregation members for many years, some have just embraced the Christian faith, and all have fascinating stories to tell. The stories of each of those 100 people - including some videos - will be shared on websites and social media throughout 2027.
There will also be a special outdoor service led by the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, on Sunday 18 July, 2027, on Governor's Green in Old Portsmouth. Thousands of worshippers from across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are expected to join this colourful, lively celebration that will be suitable for the whole family.
And in October 2027, there is another service marking 100 years since our cathedral was hallowed, on October 4, 1927 - ahead of the enthronement of Neville Lovett as the very first Bishop of Portsmouth two days later. This special Evensong on Monday 4th October will use some of the liturgy from the 1927 service.
The celebrations of the history of the diocese and cathedral will also include a special commemorative brochure published in Spring 2027, as well as an exhibition hosted by the cathedral.
All the details of these events, and more, are available on www.portsmouth.anglican.org/100. There will also be a special launch of the centenary year at 7pm on Sunday 11th October, 2026. Those who attend will be given a sneak preview of some of the events and activities expected as part of the celebrations.