CITY WORKERS will be able to join in worship before work when Wakefield Cathedral moves its morning service into the old police station next week.
From next Monday work will start to renew the East End of the Cathedral – the second phase of the multi million pound regeneration of the city’s iconic building– after the successful refurbishment of its nave.
The project, called Project 2015, will see the nave open as usual but the small chapel and the choir area at the back of the Grade 1 listed building will be closed off for ten months as work goes on to make that part of the building shine again.
And the Dean and Chapter have taken a lease out on the old Wood Street Police Station and have just put the finishing touches to a chapel there to hold their daily 8.15am services and the 12.30pm Eucharists on Mondays and Fridays.
They will be using the old police station for meetings and storage as well- thanks to Wakefield Council.
The Dean, the Very Revd Jonathan Greener explained: “We are grateful for the support from Wakefield Council who are helping us during this time and we thought this was a wonderful opportunity to open up our services to those that might be passing and fancy some spiritual nourishment before they start their day.
“Anyone can drop in, “ he added.
It’s not the first time Wakefield Cathedral has taken its services on the road. During the refurbishment of the nave in 2013 – the Dean and Chapter took the cathedral out holding services in different churches around the Wakefield Area and this was so successful, they secured funding last year to buy a mobile trailer and created Pop up Cathedral which is used to serve at outdoor events.
Project 2015 will see the East End of the building shine again, with clean walls, new lighting and electrics, a level floor, a renewed St Mark’s Chapel and the creation of a quiet area for those who want to simply sit or light a candle.
The music area below in the vestry – the engine room of the Cathedral’s world-renowned choir – will also be renewed as part of this phase.
Wakefield Cathedral Chapter needs £2.5 million to renew the East End of the Cathedral and has secured a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund – but has a shortfall of over £200,000 and are looking for sponsors, fund raisers and donations to help ensure the building has a bright future for everyone.
Work is expected to be finished by April 2016 and a community party is planned for May.
You can hear the sub Dean, Canon Tony Macpherson on Project 2015 here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8aCjwTNZvQ&feature=youtu.be
www.wakefield-cathedral.org.uk
Anyone wanting to find out more about fundraising or donating should contact Neil Holland at neil.holland@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk