Canterbury Cathedral, England

The Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, England, is one of the oldest Christian churches in England and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of All England and religious leader of the Church of England. The Cathedral is located at the centre of Canterbury and is also inscribed in the World Heritage Site.

The Canterbury Cathedral was founded by St Augustine who arrived in Canterbury in year 597 as a missionary and was the Cathedral's first Archbishop. The original Cathedral was rebuilt by the Saxons and after the fire of 1174 the Cathedral was rebuilt in a Gothic style. Over the next centuries was the Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt many times and many additions have been made. In the 19th century was replaced the original Norman Northwest Tower with a Perpendicular style twin of the Southwest tower. During the World War II the Neo-Gothic Library and Archives were destroyed by the Germans but the Cathedral itself was not seriously damaged.

In 10th century the Cathedral community was reorganized as Benedictine Abbey during the reforms of Archbishop St Dunstan who was buried on the south side of the High Altar. In 1540 was the Benedictine monastery dissolved by King Henry VIII and responsibility for the services was given to group of clergy known as the Dean and Chapter. The head of the Canterbury Cathedral in still the Dean who is currently the Very Reverend Robert Willis.