The building of ST EDMUNDSBURY CATHEDRAL (originally the parish church of St James) began in 1503 on the site of an earlier church; it became a cathedral in 1914. The architect was almost certainly John Wastell whose masterpiece was King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

In 1959 the architect Stephen Dykes Bower was appointed to enlarge the cathedral so that it could function more effectively. This work had been delayed through two world wars due to shortage of money, and is still continuing as and when funds become available.