The seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark and mother church of the metropolitan province, this Grade II–listed cathedral has served south London’s Catholic faithful since the mid-nineteenth century.
At a glance
St George’s Cathedral is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, which encompasses all of London south of the River Thames, including Kent and north Surrey. It also serves as the mother church for the broader Roman Catholic Province of Southwark, which includes the dioceses of Arundel and Brighton, Portsmouth, and Plymouth.
History
The cathedral was erected in 1848. During the Second World War, the building sustained extensive damage but was carefully restored and reopened in 1958, allowing it to resume its role as a centre of Catholic worship and diocesan administration in the capital’s southern reaches.
What you see
The building is designated as Grade II listed, recognising its architectural and historical importance. Its position opposite the Imperial War Museum on Lambeth Road makes it a notable landmark in the cultural landscape of south London.
Cultural significance
As the metropolitan cathedral of its archdiocese, St George’s holds ecclesiastical authority across a vast Catholic region. The site represents the continuity of Catholic institutional life in London despite wartime destruction, embodying both resilience and spiritual heritage.
Key facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- City: London Borough of Southwark
- Built: 1848
- Reopened: 1958 (after war damage)
- Grade II listed building
- Coordinates: 51.4978, −0.1079
Practical information & getting there
The cathedral stands on Lambeth Road at its corner with St George’s Road, directly opposite the Imperial War Museum in London. St George’s Primary School and the headquarters of CAFOD (Catholic Aid) are located nearby on Westminster Bridge Road to the north.
Sources & resources
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