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List of tallest church buildings in the United Kingdom

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From the Middle Ages until the advent of the skyscraper, Christian church buildings were often the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom. Indeed, it was not until the building of the BT Tower in London in 1962 that St Paul's Cathedral was no longer the city's tallest structure.

The United Kingdom no longer features as prominently on the list of tallest churches worldwide, but in 1311, Lincoln Cathedral surpassed the Great Pyramid of Giza to become the world's tallest building. Salisbury Cathedral is the present tallest church building in the country, standing at a height of 123 metres (404 feet), and it remains amongst the tallest medieval churches in the world.

Extant churches

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Note: This list does not include church buildings which have been reduced in height, either through rebuilding or damage due to disaster. These buildings are incorporated into the list of tallest churches buildings. The height referred to in the table includes weathervanes etc on spires and pinnacles. Actual architectural height may be lower.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Churches 200 feet or taller

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Rank Name of Church Height (m) Height (ft) Location Notes Image
1 Salisbury Cathedral 123 404 Salisbury, Wiltshire Tallest church in the United Kingdom, amongst the tallest medieval churches in the world.[1]
2 St Paul's Cathedral 111 366 City of London London's tallest structure from 1710 to 1962; previous tallest in London until Great Fire of London.[2]
3 Liverpool Anglican Cathedral 101 331 Liverpool Tallest church in the United Kingdom without a dome or spire, amongst the tallest non-spired churches in the world. Largest church in the UK by area, longest Cathedral in the world.[3]
4 Norwich Cathedral 96 315 Norwich, Norfolk [4]
5 Preston, St Walburge 94 309 Preston, Lancashire Tallest non-cathedral church in the United Kingdom, tallest Roman Catholic church in the country.[5]
6 Edinburgh, St Mary's Cathedral 90 295 Edinburgh The tallest of the three Cathedrals in the UK with three spires. Tallest church in the UK outside of England.[6]
7 Louth, St James 89 293 Louth, Lincolnshire Tallest Church of England parish church in the country.[7] Architectural height of 288 feet.[8]
8 (Old) Coventry Cathedral 88 290 Coventry Cathedral destroyed in the Coventry Blitz on November 14, 1940; only the tower and spire remain intact. New Cathedral built adjoining old.[9] Architectural height 284 feet.[10]
9 Westminster Cathedral 87 284 London Tallest Roman Catholic Cathedral in the country.[11]
10 Grantham, St Wulfram 87 283 Grantham, Lincolnshire Architectural height 274 feet[12][13]
11 Warrington, St Elphin 86 281 Warrington, Lancashire [14]
12= Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral 85 278 Liverpool [15]
12= Kensington, St Mary Abbots 85 278 Kensington, Greater London Tallest parish church in London.[16]
14 Chichester Cathedral 84 277 Chichester, West Sussex [17]
15 St Mary Redcliffe 84 274 Bristol Commonly misquoted as 292 feet high, which includes the deep foundations and substructure.[18] Architectural height 262 feet.
16 Lincoln Cathedral 83 272 Lincoln, Lincolnshire Formerly tallest building the world from 1311 to 1549 when spire collapsed in a storm. Tallest medieval non-spired church in the country.[19][20]
17 Boston Stump 81 271 Boston, Lincolnshire Architectural height 267 feet.[21]
18 Derry, St Eugene's Cathedral 78 256 Derry [22]
19 Kilburn, St Augustine 77 253 Kilburn, Greater London [23]
20 Lichfield Cathedral 77 252 Lichfield, Staffordshire The only medieval cathedral in the United Kingdom with three spires.[24]
21 Truro Cathedral 76 249 Truro, Cornwall [25]
22 Wakefield Cathedral 75 247 Wakefield Tallest church in Yorkshire.[26]
23 Hulme, St Mary 73 241 Hulme, Greater Manchester [27]
24= Lancaster Cathedral 73 240 Lancaster
24= Salford Cathedral 73 240 Salford, Greater Manchester [28]
26= Canterbury Cathedral 72 236 Canterbury [29]
26= Newark-on-Trent, St Mary Magdalene 72 236 Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire Tallest church in Nottinghamshire. Architectural height 231 feet.[30]
26= Coventry, Holy Trinity 72 236 Coventry Tallest surviving church in Coventry.[31]
26= Halifax, All Souls 72 236 Halifax, West Yorkshire [32]
30 York Minster 72 235 York Largest medieval Cathedral in the United Kingdom.[33]
31 St Michael and All Angels, Mount Dinham, Exeter 71 233 Exeter Tallest church in Devon.
32 Chesterfield, St Mary and All Saints 70 230 Chesterfield, Derbyshire Famous for its twisted spire.[34]
33= Trinity Church, Ossett 69 226 Ossett, West Yorkshire [35]
33= Westminster Abbey 69 225 London [36]
33= Gloucester Cathedral 69 225 Gloucester [37]
33= Glasgow, St Mungo's Cathedral 69 225 Glasgow [38]
36 Bath, St John 68 222 Bath [39]
37 Derry, St Columb's Cathedral 67 221 Derry [40]
38= Leicester Cathedral 67 220 Leicester [41]
38= Albion United Reformed Church 67 220 Ashton-under-Lyne [42]
40 Durham Cathedral 66 218 Durham Largest surviving Romanesque cathedral in the United Kingdom.[43]
41 Ely Cathedral 66 217 Ely, Cambridgeshire Known as the 'Ship of the Fens' due to its huge size above the surrounding flat marshes.[44]
42= Bristol, Christ Church Clifton 65 212 Clifton, Bristol [45]
42= Derby Cathedral 65 212 Derby [46]
42= Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs 65 212 Cambridge [47]
42= Ashbourne, St Oswald 65 212 Ashbourne, Derbyshire [48]
46= Bottesford, St Mary the Virgin 64 210 Bottesford, Leicestershire [49]
46= Armagh, St Patrick's Cathedral (Roman Catholic) 64 210 Armagh [50]
46= Dorking, St Martin 64 210 Dorking, Surrey [51] View from the south east
49 South Dalton, St Mary 63 208 South Dalton, East Riding of Yorkshire [52]
50= Plymouth Cathedral 62 205 Plymouth [53]
50= St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow 62 205 Glasgow [54]
52= Worcester Cathedral 62 203 Worcester [55]
52= Newcastle Cathedral 62 203 Newcastle-upon-Tyne Architectural height 194 feet.[56]
54= Southampton, St Mary 61 202 Southampton [57]
54= Bournemouth, St Peter 61 202 Bournemouth [58]
54= Spitalfields, Christ Church 61 202 Spitalfields, Greater London
54= Bodelwyddan, Marble Church 61 202 Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire [59]
54= Birmingham, St Martin 61 202 Birmingham [60]
59= St John the Divine, Kennington 61 200 London [61]
59= Oxford, University Church of St Mary the Virgin 61 200 Oxford Architectural height 191 feet.[62]

References

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  1. ^ "Britain's tallest spire". Salisbury Cathedral. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  2. ^ "Climb the Dome - St Paul's Cathedral". St Paul's Cathedral, London. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  3. ^ "Liverpool Cathedral - The Tower". Liverpool Cathedral. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  4. ^ Jane Vadnal, Philip Maye. "Medieval Norwich Cathedral- Plans and Drawings". Art and Architecture of Medieval Churches, University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  5. ^ "St Walburge's Church • Visit Preston". Visit Preston. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  6. ^ "St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh | 110847 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  7. ^ "St James's Visitor Information – Team Parish of Louth". Louth Parish Team. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  8. ^ Flannery, Julian (2016). Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England. New York City, New York, United States: Thames and Hudson. pp. 458–471. ISBN 978-0-500-34314-2.
  9. ^ Munzara, Tatenda. "How Coventry Cathedral Emerged From the Ruins". Culture Trip. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  10. ^ Flannel, Julian (2016). Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England. Thames and Hudson. pp. 262–273. ISBN 978-0-500-34314-2.
  11. ^ "Westminster Cathedral, London | 136291 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  12. ^ Ross, David. "Grantham, St Wulfram's Church | History, Photos & Visiting Information". Britain Express. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  13. ^ Flannery, Julian (2016). Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England. New York City, New York, United States: Thames and Hudson. pp. 130–141. ISBN 978-0-500-34314-2.
  14. ^ "Warrington St Elphin". Explore Churches. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  15. ^ "Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool | 110845 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  16. ^ "St. Mary Abbots Church, London | 136689 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  17. ^ Jane Vadnal, Philip Maye. "Medieval Chichester: Market Cross". Art and Architecture of Medieval Churches, University of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  18. ^ Flannel, Julian (2016). Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England. Thames and Hudson. pp. 179–180. ISBN 978-0-500-34314-2.
  19. ^ Santos, Cory (2013-11-06). "When Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in the world". The Lincolnite. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  20. ^ "Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln | 127684 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  21. ^ Flannel, Julian (2016). Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England. Thames and Hudson. pp. 444–457. ISBN 978-0-500-34314-2.
  22. ^ "St. Eugene's Cathedral, Londonderry | 208561 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  23. ^ "St. Augustine's Church, London | 136424 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 2, 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  24. ^ "Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield | 208562 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  25. ^ "Truro Cathedral, Truro | 208563 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  26. ^ "The Architecture". Wakefield Cathedral. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  27. ^ "Church of St Mary Upper Moss Lane Hulme Manchester - Building | Architects of Greater Manchester". Manchester Victorian Architects. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  28. ^ "Salford Cathedral, Salford | 209611 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  29. ^ "Cathedral Map". Canterbury Cathedral. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  30. ^ Flannel, Julian (2016). Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England. Thames and Hudson. pp. 142-151. ISBN 978-0-500-34314-2.
  31. ^ "Holy Trinity Church, Coventry | 209612 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  32. ^ "All Souls' Church, Halifax | 209720". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  33. ^ "York Minster Dimensions". Medieval and Middle Ages History Timeline. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  34. ^ Newman, Dr Alan P. "Chesterfield's Crooked Spire". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  35. ^ "Ossett Pictures - Holy Trinity Church". www.ossett.net. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  36. ^ "Westminster Abbey, London | 136418 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  37. ^ "Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester | 209726 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  38. ^ "Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow | 139848 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  39. ^ "HIGHEST - Church Spire in Bath - St. John the Evangelist - Bath, Somerset - Superlatives on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  40. ^ Brown, Oliver. "Living City - St Columb's Cathedral" (PDF). Foyle Civic Trust.
  41. ^ "Leicester Cathedral, Leicester | 210867 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  42. ^ "Albion United Reformed Church, Ashton-under-Lyne | 267861 |". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  43. ^ Simpson, David (2019-11-10). "Durham Cathedral central tower : A view from the Top". England's North East. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  44. ^ "Ely Cathedral - A Descriptive Tour of Ely Cathedral". Ely Cathedral. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  45. ^ "Christ Church Clifton, Bristol | 151241 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  46. ^ "Derby Cathedral". Cheshire Now. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  47. ^ "Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Cambridge | 211447 |". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  48. ^ "St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne | 211449 |". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  49. ^ "St Mary the Virgin | History". www.stmarysbottesford.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  50. ^ "Archiseek - Irish Architecture - 1860 - St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh". Archiseek - Irish Architecture. 2009-09-28. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  51. ^ Historic England (1973-06-11). "Church of St Martin, Dorking (1028904)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  52. ^ "Churches - Dalton Holme Parish Council". Dalton Parish Council. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  53. ^ "Plymouth Cathedral, Plymouth | 212647 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  54. ^ "St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Glasgow | 208621". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  55. ^ "Worcester Cathedral, Worcester - Building #646". www.skyscrapernews.com. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
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  57. ^ "St Mary's Church, Southampton | 1419228 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  58. ^ Historic England. "CHURCH OF ST PETER, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (1153014)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  59. ^ "St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan (165595)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  60. ^ "St Martin's-in-the-Bull Ring, Birmingham | 225376 |". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  61. ^ "History". St John the Divine, Kennington. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
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