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History of the Cathedral
There has been a Christian presence on this site from at least the 6th century, under the first two bishops, Dyfrig (Dubricius) and Teilo, and pre-Norman architectural evidence for the early medieval church is shown by the remains of the late 10th/early 11th-century cross in the south aisle, as well as grave markers set in the fabric at the west end.
The present building dates from the Norman period, around 1120, when bishop Urban, a Welshman, brought the remains of St Dyfrig from Bardsey Island, off the coast of north-west Wales, down to Llandaff.
The Majestas
The Majestas is a 16‑foot aluminium sculpture of Christ in Majesty, created by the artist Jacob Epstein and installed in Llandaff Cathedral in 1957. It stands on a dramatic concrete arch designed by architect George Pace, part of the post‑war rebuilding of the cathedral after it was devastated by bombing in 1941.
Epstein’s Christ is elongated, expressive, and intentionally modern, a striking contrast to the medieval fabric of the cathedral. It is one of the most important pieces of 20th‑century religious sculpture in Britain.
The figure is 16 feet high, weighs 7cwt and was cast by the Morris-Singer works in Lambeth.
On the eve of the rehallowing of the Nave on 10th April 1957, Bob Evans, the newly appointed curate of Llandaff, found himself sitting silently in the nave alongside Epstein. At last, the sculptor turned to the young priest and said “Well?” “I told him what I could see” was Bob’s reply and later, with the foolishness of youth…he added “Was it difficult for you, a practicing Jew, to create a Christ for a Christian congregation?” Epstein replied, “All my life I have searched for truth and beauty and, in the end, I discovered that it is in the idea of the Christ that they are to be found.”
Llandaff’s Christ looks not at the congregation at his feet but through the clear glass of the west window of the Cathedral to the wider world beyond.
Visit Us
Llandaff Cathedral is a Christian gathering of the Church in Wales, which is a province of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is also the seat of the Bishop of Llandaff. The Cathedral is a focus of pilgrimage and spirituality in the Diocese of Llandaff and for the City of Cardiff.
Dean of Llandaff Cathedral
The Reverend Canon Jason Bray
Jason is originally from Merthyr Tydfil, and he has served his entire ordained ministry in the Church in Wales since his ordination in 1997 by Bishop Rowan Williams.
With a doctorate in Theology and a passionate interest in Biblical scholarship, medieval and reformation history, Jason is a published author, teacher of the faith, and an experienced church leader. The publication of his book, Deliverance: Everyday Investigations into the Supernatural, about his life and experiences as an Anglican deliverance minister has meant that he is well-known in circles outside the Church in Wales. You can purchase the book on our online shop here.
Jason was previously Vicar of St Giles’ Wrexham, which is part of the Major Churches Network and is Wales’ largest medieval parish church, where he strengthened and grew the congregation at St Giles’, developing its civic, media and national links as well as its life of prayer and service whilst working to increase visitor numbers significantly.
He is married to Laura. They have two grown up sons, Thomas and Benedict, and three cats.
Email: jasonbray@cinw.org.uk
Canon Chancellor
The Reverend Canon Kate Harrison
Reverend Harrison was ordained in 2015 and served her curacy in Windsor before taking up her current role at St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace in London. She also serves as Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral, bringing a wealth of experience in both parish and cathedral ministry. Outside of her ministry, Reverend Harrison enjoys comedy, musical theatre, and spending time with her husband, family, and their miniature schnauzer, Teddy.
Email: kateharrison@cinw.org.uk
Canon Precentor
The Reverend Canon Ian Yemm
After degree studies in Music and Theology, Ian Yemm trained at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music and enjoyed a successful career as a professional singer and voice teacher. For nearly ten years, he was Coordinating Chaplain at the University of the West of England, Vice-Chair of the Bristol Diocesan Board of Education, and an elected member of the General Synod of the Church of England. After training for ordination at the St Padarn’s Institute in Cardiff, he completed curacy in Cowbridge and first incumbency in Radyr. He is a Vocations Adviser and Spiritual Director and has a Masters degree in Christian Spirituality.
Ian has recently been elected to the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, and installed as Canon Precentor of Llandaff Cathedral, where he has particular responsibility for Worship, the Music Department, and the Cathedral Choir. He is married to Bernhard, who has worked as a Doctor in the NHS for over twenty years.