In 672 St Wilfrid founded his first church here. The crypt of that basilica still remains and every year we celebrate its founding father with special services and events.

On Friday October 11 the cathedral hosts a sparkling fundraising banquet within the beautiful setting of the nave. The event, hosted by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, with headline sponsor Yorkshire business Lucas Lee, raises vital funds for the cathedral’s mission to serve the people and communities of North Yorkshire and the Diocese of Leeds, including music, heritage conservation and an education programme. Anyone interested in tickets can contact development@riponcathedral.org.uk

On Saturday October 12 the cathedral welcomes back former members of its choir, from across the country to a rousing Patronal Evensong. The ranks of the cathedral choir swell to form a group of 100 choristers, choral scholars, lay clerks (adult singers) and alumni.

Then on the morning of Sunday October 13 there is a great celebration of the life and mission of the cathedral today in a special Patronal Eucharist, a service of Holy Communion dedicated to St Wilfrid, again with a 100-strong choir. This magnificent sacred ceremony will include the Gospel and the Lord’s Prayer spoken in Anglo-Saxon, the vernacular in the time of Wilfrid.

There’ll be celebratory cake and fizz after the service and all are welcome. Dean Dobson said: “This festival weekend gives a great opportunity to celebrate the considerable blessings that we still enjoy from St Wilfrid and the boldness with which he built a glorious church in this place, significantly, it is also important to use this occasion to thank God for all those which have contributed to the life and mission to this church over the last 12 centuries, not least in this our own generation.

“This occasion gives me an opportunity on behalf of the whole cathedral community to thank those who give up their time, skills and money as we continue in the way of St Wilfrid to share the good news of Jesus Christ in this place. All are welcome to join us for one or all of the weekend’s events.”

The cathedral would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Andrew and Cathy Kitchingman; Rudding Park; Brook Taverner; Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate; Yorkshire Party Company; Thorpe Trees; Biker Group and Hemingways.

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