Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury
High Street, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, England, PO1 2HH
Next service Sunday 19 July · 08:00 — Holy Communion
Quick answer
Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is a Church of England (Anglican) church at High Street, Portsmouth in Portsmouth, England. Sunday services include Holy Communion at 08:00 and Cathedral Eucharist at 09:30 — times verified 1 July 2026, but confirm with the parish before travelling. Church Near Me lists the address, contact details and what to expect below.
At a Glance
Verified 1 July 2026
- Denomination
- Church of England (Anglican) (anglican)
- Location
- Portsmouth, England
- Postcode
- PO1 2HH
- Diocese
- Diocese of Portsmouth
- Main service
- Sunday 08:00 — Holy Communion
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair access
Service & Mass Times
Service times verified 1 July 2026 — confirm with the parish before travelling.
Holy Communion
Cathedral Eucharist
Choral Mattins (term time)
Choral Evensong
Morning Prayer
Choral Evensong (Wed/Fri term time)
About Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury
Portsmouth Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, stands at the heart of Old Portsmouth and traces its origins to a chapel built in the 1180s by the merchant Jean de Gisors and dedicated to Thomas Becket. It became a cathedral in 1927 when the Diocese of Portsmouth was created. The cathedral has a distinctive blend of medieval, 17th-century classical and 20th-century work, and continues to serve as a centre of Anglican worship for the maritime city.
Notable facts about Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury
- As a cathedral, Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is the seat of a bishop and the mother church of its diocese — the principal church of the wider region, and traditionally a centre of choral music, civic services and pilgrimage.
- The Church of England is the established church of England and the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which numbers tens of millions of members across more than 165 countries.
- Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury belongs to the Diocese of Portsmouth, the regional family of churches through which its tradition organises worship, clergy and community life.
- With 6 regular services listed across 2 days of the week, Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury offers a fuller rhythm of worship than many local churches.
- Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury has made a point of being welcoming to all, with accessibility features including wheelchair access.
What to Expect at a Church of England (Anglican) Church
Anglican (Church of England) worship follows the rhythm of the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship. Sunday services often range from a said early-morning Holy Communion to a main mid-morning Sung Eucharist or Morning Prayer, and many parishes hold Choral Evensong later in the day. Services blend set liturgy, hymns, Scripture readings and a sermon. Everyone is welcome, whether you are exploring faith or returning to church.
Facilities & Accessibility
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access
- Cathedral choir
- Café
- Shop
- Old Portsmouth waterfront
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury?
Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is located at High Street, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2HH, England. You can open directions to it using the map link on this page.
What denomination is Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury?
Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury is a Church of England (Anglican) church, part of the Diocese of Portsmouth. You can read more about the Church of England (Anglican) tradition, its beliefs and how it worships on our denomination guide.
What time are services at Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury?
Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury holds regular services on Sunday, Weekdays; see the full list of service times on this page. Times can change for holidays and special occasions, so it is worth checking with the church before visiting.
How do I contact Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury?
You can contact Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury through its website using the details in the contact panel on this page.
Can anyone attend Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury?
Yes. Like almost all Christian churches in England, Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury welcomes visitors and newcomers to its public services, whatever your background or experience of church.