20/11/2026: The Restoration of the Cornish Bishopric: A Commemorative Lecture to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Re-founding of the Cornish Diocese - Howard Tomlinson

Join us for another instalment of a series of Heritage and History talks - The Restoration of the Cornish Bishopric: A Commemorative Lecture to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Re-founding of the Cornish Diocese: A talk by Howard Tomlinson.

This event is for ticket holders only. Ticket holders will receive one complimentary drink on arrival.  Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available.   

About

Saturday 9 December 1876 was one of the most important days in Truro's History. On that day, Queen Victoria sanctioned by Order in Council the foundation of the Bishopric of Truro, following her royal assent to the passing of the Act of Parliament four months earlier.

The diocese was to consist of the old archdeaconry of Cornwall; and St Mary's parish church, 'subject to the rights of the patron and incumbent', and was assigned as the cathedral attached to the bishopric. Ultimately, this historic Order of 150 years ago was to lead to Truro being given city status.

More significantly, a new cathedral was to be built over the following 35 years as the mother church of the diocese and an iconic landmark for Cornwall - an extraordinary achievement for a county declining in population and wealth. Prior to this momentous day in the history of the Cornish church, what were the forces that led to the revival of the bishopric and its establishment in Truro?

Howard's lecture will examine such questions.

It was a long process and one that preoccupied the Church hierarchy both within the county and the English church at large for many years. So before looking at the campaign for an independent Cornish diocese, a movement that came to a crescendo in the mid-Victorian period in what A.L. Rouse termed as 'an astonishing stream of Cornish patriotism', Howard will examine the national picture relating to diocesan regeneration, the reordering of other sees, and the mid-nineteenth century movement to increase the number of bishops in England. Such themes will provide the general context for the campaign within Cornwall; the contest between Bodmin and Truro (among other towns) to become the episcopal seat; and, finally, the key moments leading to the division of the old Exeter diocese and the passing of the necessary legislation.

It is an important story that will be told in the 150th anniversary year of the founding of the Truro diocese.

About Canon Dr Howard Tomlinson

Canon Dr Howard Tomlinson taught for 10 years (1977-87) at Wellington College, where Edward White Benson was the first Master.

Following Canon Tomlinson’s 18-year tenure as Headmaster of Hereford Cathedral School, he wrote the history of the school which was published in 2018 (Hereford Cathedral School: A History Over 800 Years). Since then, he has turned to researching and writing about Cornish history. He was recently awarded the Henwood Medal by the Royal Institution of Cornwall for his article, 'A Festal Service for Christmas Eve: Bishop Benson and the First Celebration of Nine Lessons with Carols' which was published in the RIC Journal in 2024. He is currently engaged in editing the Cornish diaries of Arthur Mason, the first canon missioner for the Devon and Cornwall Record Society, as well as writing a history of Truro Cathedral. He hopes to publish this work in 2030 on the 150th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stones.

Location

This event will be held in the Assembly Room in Old Cathedral School (OCS) Building.

Timings

18:45  Arrival
19:15  Guest Speaker
20:15  Q&A
20:30  End

Tickets

Tickets are £10 each and include a complimentary drink on arrival (alcoholic and non-alcoholic will be available).