26 June 2026
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, and the Dean of Chelmsford, the Very Revd Dr Jessica Martin, have travelled to Lichfield Cathedral to collect a stone that will become part of the altar at St Peter’s Chapel, Bradwell-on-Sea.
Their visit on Friday 11 June followed a commission given at the close of the 2025 Bradwell Pilgrimage – to bring a stone back to Essex from one of Lichfield Cathedral’s spires.
While in Lichfield, Bishop Guli and Dean Jessica were welcomed by the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, and Canon Chancellor, the Revd Canon Dr Gregory Platten. Together they celebrated the Eucharist and Bishop Michael blessed the stone before it began its journey to Chelmsford Diocese.
The stone will be consecrated at this year’s Bradwell Pilgrimage on 4 July, which is themed “Living Stones”. It will then be placed within the altar at St Peter’s Chapel as a lasting symbol of the connection between the dioceses of Lichfield and Chelmsford.
The connection has its roots in the seventh century, when Cedd and his brother Chad studied together in the monastery school of Lindisfarne. Cedd became a leading missionary bishop of that era, and he was first assigned a mission in the Midlands. Later, he led the mission to the East Saxons, and he built the chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell-on-Sea around 654AD, while Chad later became Bishop of Lichfield.
St Peter’s Chapel already contains stones from sites associated with early Christian mission, including Iona, Lindisfarne and Lastingham. The addition of a stone from Lichfield reflects both this heritage and compliments the “Living Stones” theme of this year’s Bradwell pilgrimage, as a reminder that the faith Cedd and Chad carried across Britain is a living inheritance, still being built upon today.
Dean Jessica, said:
“Visiting Lichfield and meeting Bishop Michael and Canon Gregory was a real joy, and a reminder that the connection between our two dioceses is not simply a piece of ancient history we carry around with us. Cedd and Chad were brothers shaped by the same faith and the same calling, sent in different directions to serve different people and in some sense, Chelmsford and Lichfield still are. Embedding this stone in the altar at Bradwell feels like the right way to mark that: a small, permanent sign that these stories belong together.”
Bishop Guli, added:
“We were warmly welcomed at Lichfield Cathedral, and it was wonderful to celebrate the bond between our two dioceses. The story we share - of Cedd and Chad - is not merely part of our history, but a living faith that continues to unite and inspire us. This stone stands as a powerful symbol of that story: of faith, mission and our shared heritage. I am delighted that it will be placed within the altar at St Peter’s Chapel in Bradwell-on-Sea and I look forward to celebrating its new home at this year’s Bradwell Pilgrimage.”
The Bradwell Pilgrimage takes place on Saturday 4 July. All are welcome to join the walk to St Peter’s Chapel for a day of prayer, celebration and fellowship.
Find out more about the Bradwell Pilgrimage by clicking on the link below:
Photo credit: Treena Larkin/Lichfield Diocese