London SE1 > News & Features > April 1999

Southwark Cathedral Appeal launch

Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be at Southwark Cathedral this month to launch the cathedral's millennium appeal. After years of being London's 'unknown cathedral', Southwark Cathedral is responding to the increase in visitor numbers and preparing to be able to respond to international promotion as part of the Millennium Mile.

Desmond Tutu is returning, as a former priest of the Southwark Diocese, on Friday 23 April for the Millennium launch. The appeal is to raise funds for the new buildings on the north side, disabled access, social care, musical work and vital restoration of the fabric. The cathedral site has been a centre of Christian worship since the days of St Swithun in the 9th century. Eventually the cathedral will again became a 'waterside' church when an inlet on the Thames is created opposite the north transept.

The appeal launch will be followed by Choral Evensong at 5.30pm. A limited number of tickets for the launch are available from Anne Burgess on 0171 357 8201.

The Millennium Launch takes place on Southwark's annual 'festive day' which is both St George's Day and Shakespeare's birthday. Shakespeare celebrations take place at the cathedral in the evening at 7pm.