Ely Cathedral to host annual Thanksgiving Eve service Nov. 23

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  There's no question about it, Thanksgiving is just about as traditionally an 'American' holiday as any.

However, here in East Anglia, Thanksgiving has been a long-standing British-American tradition and is celebrated annually at Ely Cathedral.

This year's Ely Thanksgiving Eve service is scheduled for Nov. 23, and, once again, British citizens are invited to the service and to celebrate the bonds of friendship that have remained steadfast for so many years.

There will be pre-service music at 7 p.m., and the service will begin at 7:30 p.m., said Emma Doel, 100th Air Refueling Wing Chapel secretary. Chaplain (Col.) Gerald S. Henry, United States Air Forces in Europe command chaplain, will be the guest speaker during the service.

There will be free bus transportation, on a first-come, first-serve basis, departing RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath chapels at 6:15 p.m., said Doel, warning attendees to dress warm as the cathedral can be quite cold.

Ely Cathedral has a long history in the region and with U.S. Airmen.

During World War II, American Service members often worshipped with the cathedral community and in local parishes while they were assigned to the various bases in East Anglia.

According to the Ely Cathedral website, the present cathedral was started by Abbot Simeon from 1082 to 1094. Simeon was the brother of Walkelin, the then bishop of Winchester, under William I in 1083. Construction continued under Simeon's successor, Abbot Richard, and lasted from 1100 to 1107.

The Anglo-Saxon church that once stood on the same grounds was demolished, but some of its relics, such as the remains of its benefactors, were moved to the cathedral. The main transepts were constructed by crossing the nave below a central tower and are the oldest surviving part of the cathedral.

For more information, call the RAF Mildenhall Chapel at DSN 238-2822 or RAF Lakenheath Chapel at 226-3711.