ST CHAD STATUE

In August we are excited to announce that work is beginning on the clay model of what will become a 3m bronze statue of our patron saint and first Bishop of Lichfield, St Chad. Peter Walker, Artist-in-Residence at Lichfield Cathedral will be working on the clay model, in his studio in the Close, before it is cast in bronze to create the finished statue.

The statue is due to be installed in March 2021 on the South East side of the Close. Visitors to the area entering the Close from Dam Street will be greeted by the welcoming face of St Chad surrounded by beautiful spring-blooms. Read more about the statue and Chad himself below.

The Hope Garden Whilst the statue is in creation, a living artwork will be created around the statue called ‘The Hope Garden’. This will comprise 50,000 spring flowers, which will be planted as a gift of remembrance and hope to the city. The flowers will bloom every year around St Chad’s Day, March 2, and in readiness for Easter. This date also marks the anniversary of the lockdown at the start of the pandemic.   “Hope springs from the ground even after the harshest of winters” The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield.

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Who was Chad?

Chad is the saint and bishop to whom Lichfield Cathedral is dedicated. Born to a noble family around 634, he was educated on Lindisfarne and spent time as Bishop of York and Abbot of Lastingham. When he was appointed Bishop of Mercia, one of the most powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Chad chose to centre his administration in Lichfield. He founded a church and a community here in 669 which became the religious heart of the kingdom.

Chad died in 672, much loved and revered. Bishop Hedda, his successor, consecrated the first cathedral in Lichfield on his burial site on Christmas Day 700. The shrine of St Chad grew quickly in importance and became one of the three most important centres of mediaeval pilgrimage in the country.

‘A holy man, of modest character, well-read in the Scripture, and diligently practising those things which he had learned therein.’ The Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People (completed around 731).

 

The Statue

Lichfield Cathedral has commissioned local sculptor and its Artist-in-Residence, Peter Walker, to create a major new public sculpture of our patron saint.

Made of bronze and standing 3m tall in The Close facing Dam Street to welcome visitors and pilgrims to the Cathedral, he will hold a representation of the Cathedral’s famous 8th century St Chad Gospels in one hand with his other hand raised in blessing.

Famous for his holiness and humility, Chad maintained a life of poverty and simplicity and preferred to walk to all parts of his huge diocese than to ride. In the sculpture he is seen almost in motion, about to set out from the Cathedral behind him to draw people into its community.

How can you help?

Over 80% of funds have now been raised. Help us reach our goal to create this lasting legacy for the Cathedral and the city.

Click here to read more about the project and how to give.

THE MAKING OF ST CHAD

 

CHAD Living:
CHOICES, HABITS, ACTIONS AND DECISIONS

What does it mean to follow Christ in the footsteps of St Chad in our modern world? The Diocese of Lichfield has released a mini-series of videos exploring this idea.

Visit: www.lichfield.anglican.org/chad-living