Newcastle Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, has secured £305,463 in funding to carry out essential repairs and improve accessibility. The investment will help fund vital roof and floor repairs, upgraded accessible toilets and a replacement lift, ensuring the historic building remains welcoming and accessible to all.
The work will help preserve the historic building and improve facilities for people attending services and events or visiting the Cathedral. Dedicated to St Nicholas, the Cathedral welcomes local people and visitors of all faiths and none.
The funding will also support an access audit, security measures and feasibility studies for future repairs and potential renewable energy measures.
Newcastle Cathedral is one of just two places of worship in the North East to receive funding in this round, alongside the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Columba in Wallsend. Nationally, Birmingham Cathedral is the only other Anglican cathedral to receive a grant, which will also support essential structural repairs.
Newcastle Cathedral is famous for its Lantern Tower, which once helped guide ships along the River Tyne and remains a familiar feature of Newcastle’s skyline. Today, it inspires the Cathedral’s Lantern Project, which supports people facing difficult circumstances, including members of the street life community. Originally St Nicholas’ Church, the building became a cathedral in 1882.
The Very Reverend Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle, said:
“Keeping the Cathedral in good repair is a constant responsibility and constant challenge. As a charity, we are solely responsible for maintaining this beautiful place of worship for generations to come. This grant will help us carry out essential roof and floor repairs, improve access and upgrade the facilities for our wide range of visitors.
“It will help ensure we continue to be a beacon of light for our region through the many activities we offer our communities from this building.
“These practical improvements will make a real difference to everyone who comes through our doors, whether for worship, an event or a visit. We are grateful to the UK Government and Historic England for helping us protect the Cathedral’s heritage and make it more welcoming and accessible to all.”
Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said:
“Places of worship are an important part of the heritage, character and identity of communities across England. They are not only remarkable historic buildings, but places that continue to bring people together, support community life and help showcase what makes their local places distinctive.
“This funding creates an opportunity to invest in these buildings for the long term – addressing urgent repair needs while supporting new life into places that remain active and valued by their communities. We are pleased to support places of worship across the country and help ensure these important places can continue to contribute to vibrant, distinctive communities for generations to come.”
The works to Newcastle Cathedral are being funded through Historic England’s Places of Worship Renewal Fund. The programme supports urgent repairs to historic places of worship across England, helping to protect these nationally important buildings and ensure they continue to serve their communities for years to come.
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