Welcome to our resources hub as we continue to celebrate the Centenary of the Diocese of Leicester and Leicester Cathedral.
This webpage brings together a growing collection of resources to help churches, schools and communities mark this significant milestone.
You'll find liturgy and worship materials, resources for schools, news and events, photos and more.
Introduction – Why celebrate a centenary?
The Diocese of Leicester was formally reconstituted on 12 November 1926 and the parish church of St Martin was hallowed as the Cathedral Church on 21 February 1927. So, we are preparing to celebrate one hundred years – a significant anniversary. But it is worth asking why we would want to celebrate the centenary of the diocese? Are we simply celebrating an organisation or institution? And is it just the fact that we have “survived” for one hundred years?
The answer is “no, we are not just celebrating our longevity as an organisation”. Rather the theme for our centenary celebrations will be Hebrews 13.8: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.’
So, we are celebrating God’s faithfulness and the unchanging nature of God’s love, grace and mercy towards all that God has created. The world has changed enormously over the last century, but the gift of the church is that, even in the midst of so much change, we worship God, revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and for ever.
Therefore, the heart of our centenary celebrations is worship and thanksgiving. We are not planning lots of big events, nor will we be spending lots of money. But there will be special services on the specific dates of the reconstitution of the diocese and the hollowing of the Cathedral, and we as bishops will be joining parish celebrations during Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027. You are free to organise your own celebrations at any point over the next year. These resources are intended to help you in marking the centenary in your local church.
+Martyn Leicester +Saju Loughborough
Centenary Dates
Centenary Day: Thursday 12 November 2026
Centenary of the Cathedral’s hallowing: Sunday 21 February 2027
Centenary Liturgy
We hope these resources will help you join in celebrating 100 years of faith, mission, and ministry across the Diocese of Leicester.
Centenary Prayer
Eternal and ever-living God,
who created all things and breathes life into all peoples,
hold in your loving gaze this Diocese of Leicester and Cathedral Church,
with all your living stones, built on Jesus Christ the Cornerstone:
that we may stand firm on the ground of your being
and be nourished for the journey to come
with the bread of life and water of the Spirit;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
Amen.
Download Centenary Liturgy - PDF
Download Centenary Liturgy - Word
Diocesan Board of Education - Centenary Collective Worship
We're encouraging schools in our diocese to participate in our centenary celebrations. This Powerpoint includes a week of daily Collective Worship ideas and details of a creative centenary competition.
Download Centenary Collective Worship - PowerPoint
Centenary Events with the Archbishop of Canterbury
It was an honour and a blessing to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, to the Diocese of Leicester to participate in a weekend including two centenary events.
See more photos from the Cathedral Evensong.
See more photos from the Centenary Worship Gathering.
Read the full story of Archbishop Sarah's visit.
Centenary Churches Photo Slideshow