Peterborough Cathedral has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to secure its future.
In launching the appeal, the Dean of Peterborough, The Very Reverend Christopher Dalliston, said:
“This Cathedral has been at the heart of Peterborough and the diocese for nearly 1,400 years. It belongs to everyone in this city and beyond. We urgently need your support to keep its doors open and ensure it remains a place of inspiration and sanctuary for all.”
It costs Cathedrals like Canterbury and York Minster around £30k a day to run while smaller parish church cathedrals cost around £2k a day.
Yet the Cathedrals of the Church of England receive limited funding from the Church of England and no regular funding from the Government, though they have benefited from various Government grants in the past including the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Donate to the Peterborough appeal here.
Our Cathedrals include UNESCO World Heritage sites, many are Grade 1 listed, and they are home to the tombs of kings, queens and princes, the shrines of saints, and many are the custodians of some of the country’s most unique treasures from the Mappa Mundi, the Lichfield Angel, to copies of the Magna Carta and other ancient texts.
Peterborough Cathedral itself is a testament to the nation’s heritage. Founded in 654 AD, it is the burial place of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Katharine of Aragon and stands as one of England’s most significant medieval abbeys.
In a statement, Peterborough Cathedral said it faced a critical challenge and that without raising £300,000 by the end of March 2025, it may no longer be able to keep its doors open seven days a week to welcome visitors, host events, or provide a space for prayer and reflection.
The statement continued:
However, maintaining this Grade I listed masterpiece comes with significant financial demands. The rising price of energy, staff costs, and essential repairs have created immense pressure on the Cathedral’s resources. Operating with just a small amount of grant funding from the Church and none at all from the Government, the Cathedral relies heavily on the generosity of visitors, supporters, and its own commercial activities.
Despite a record-breaking year of events, including the hugely popular Monsters of the Sea exhibition, these efforts cannot keep pace with escalating costs. The annual running costs now exceed £2 million, making community support essential to the Cathedral’s survival.
This appeal is about more than preserving a building; it’s about safeguarding a shared treasure and ensuring that it continues to serve future generations as it has for centuries. The funds raised will support vital areas, including:
- Maintaining worship and musical programmes that uplift and inspire.
- Continuing educational initiatives that nurture the next generation.
- Carrying out essential repairs to protect this irreplaceable landmark.
With stable finances, the Cathedral can also look to enhance the interior of the building and continue to improve the experience for all who visit.
Ten of our cathedrals plus the two Royal Peculiars of Westminster Abbey and St George’s Windsor charge a fee for entry which ranges from £7.50 to £29 and is set locally.
And all our cathedrals stand at the heart of the nation at times of national sorrow and national celebration, and all are free for people to attend worship, say a prayer or light a candle.
To donate or learn more about the Peterborough appeal, visit https://donate.kindlink.com/Chapter-of-Peterborough-Cathedral/7703
