Peterborough Cathedral faces a cash crisis and urgently needs £300,000 by the end of March to keep it open seven days a week. “Without raising £300,000 by the end of March 2025, we 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,” said a cathedral spokesperson.
The Very Reverend Christopher Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral, expressed the urgency of the situation.
“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,” he said.
“We urgently need your support to keep its doors open and ensure it remains a place of inspiration and sanctuary for all.”
Peterborough Cathedral lit red for Remembrance Sunday, Picture by Terry Harris.A fund-raising appeal was launched today by the dean and supporters of the cathedral.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will help keep Peterborough Cathedral at the heart of our community.
To donate or learn more about the appeal, visit
https://peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/
The dean added: “Together, let us stand united as stewards of this magnificent heritage, ensuring that Peterborough Cathedral continues to inspire and unite our community for the next 1400 years.
“Peterborough Cathedral belongs to all of us.”
https://twitter.com/pborocathedral/status/1878789334863683864
The spokesperson said: “The cathedral faces a critical challenge. This iconic landmark, central to the life and history of Peterborough and the diocese for nearly 1400 years, needs your support to remain a vibrant part of our community and an enduring beacon of faith, history, and culture.”
Reducing opening times “would mean losing not just a cherished piece of our city’s identity but a place that belongs to all of us – a place that has served as a cornerstone of community life for generations.
“It would also have a significant impact on the dwindling footfall in Peterborough city centre and already struggling businesses.”
The service of welcome and installation of The Right Reverend Deborah Mary Sellin as the 39th Bishop of Peterborough taking place in Peterborough Cathedral, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, on 3rd March, 2024.From its founding in 654 AD, Peterborough Cathedral has been woven into the fabric of our city’s story.
As one of England’s most significant medieval abbeys and the burial place of queens – Mary, Queen of Scots, and Katharine of Aragon – it stands as a testament to our shared past.
Today, it welcomes thousands of people each year for worship, education, and community gatherings, playing a vital role in city life and drawing visitors who energize the local economy.
Cosplay event at the Cathedral as part of a Star Wars Exhibition. Cathedral, Peterborough Friday 04 August 2023.Picture by Terry Harris.
The spokesperson added: “The cathedral isn’t just a site of historical interest; it is our cathedral, the place we remember visiting as children, the place where our own children and grandchildren now visit with the same awe and wonder.
“It is a space where people of all faiths and backgrounds come together—a place for solace, celebration, and connection.
“It reflects the resilience and spirit of Peterborough itself.
“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.”
Giant tentacles appear to attack the cathedral’s Norman arch ahead of Sea Monsters Exhibition. Cathedral , PeterboroughFriday 12 July 2024. Picture by Terry Harris.
Despite a record-breaking year of events, including the hugely popular Monsters of the Sea exhibition, the spokesperson said that 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,” said the spokesperson.
“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 programs 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,” the spokesperson added.
Peterborough Cathedral beacons across the city in support of The POSH
