Southwark Cathedral

On the south bank of the River Thames, not far from London Bridge, is where you'll find Southwark Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overie. The Anglican Diocese of Southwark's main church. It has been a venue of Christian worship for more than a thousand years, although it has only been a cathedral since the Southwark diocese was established in 1905.

It served as the Virgin Mary-focused church of the Augustinian priory Southwark Priory between 1106 and 1538. With the new dedication of St. Saviour's, it was transformed into a parish church following the dissolution of the monasteries. The parish of St. Saviour's and other South London parishes was transferred to the diocese of Rochester in 1877, ending the church's association with the Winchester diocese. Even though the nave was rebuilt in the late 19th century, the current structure still has the essential design of the Gothic church constructed between 1220 and 1420.

The cathedral is used by King's College London for its medical and dental degree ceremonies, Regent's College for its graduation ceremonies, and London South Bank University for its annual honorary degree ceremony. This affiliation results from the university's merger with Guy's and St. Thomas' teaching hospitals; St. Thomas' began as an infirmary attached to the Priory of St. Mary. The annual Christmas Carol Service at the London Nautical School is held in the cathedral.

Location: Southwark, London, United Kingdom
Years built: 1106–1897