St Mary’s Cathedral is in urgent need of essential repairs, estimated to cost at least £1.7 million.
Parishioners have worked tirelessly over the past three years to raise funds towards the cost of these repairs. To reach the full target, we have been seeking the support of grant funders.
We are delighted to announce that several recent grant applications have been successful, enabling us to begin Phase 1 of the renovation work soon.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded us £250,000, giving the project an enormous boost and strengthening our confidence that we can reach our target. This award will also go towards an exciting oral history heritage project.
We are also grateful for the generous support of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation and for £100,000 from The Benefact Trust. Our thanks also go to The Charles Lloyd Foundation and to the ongoing generosity and efforts of parishioners and visitors to the cathedral.
Why the cathedral matters
St Mary’s stands at the gateway to the city of Wrexham and is situated next to the new Museum of Two Halves, which is also supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Phase 1 of the renovation project includes replacing the floor with Phase 2 involving the installation of a more energy-efficient heating system, helping to make the cathedral safer, more comfortable and sustainable for generations to come.
The cathedral is the spiritual home of the catholic congregation playing an important role in the lives of a large and diverse community. It is a Grade II listed building of architectural interest and significance. In the cathedral is a relic of our local saint, St Richard Gwyn, who was hanged, drawn and quartered at Wrexham Beast Market because he would not renounce his faith.
Sharing our heritage
As part of the project, we will develop new ways to celebrate and share the cathedral’s heritage, including:
- creating a heritage display;
- producing a guide to the stained-glass windows;
- recording the histories of parishioners across the generations; and
- displaying historic artefacts in a new exhibition.
We will deliver this work in collaboration with local schools, colleges and the university, helping to make the cathedral an interesting and meaningful place to visit.
Our fundraising efforts will continue, but we would like to extend our grateful appreciation to all donors for their invaluable support.
Andrew White, Director for Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will help bring St Mary’s cathedral’s rich heritage to life for current and future generations. By uncovering stories, creating new displays and working with local schools, colleges and the university, it will inspire more people to connect with the cathedral’s past and help shape its future.”
Feature image: St Mary’s Cathedral | Credit: Sarah Cox
