The cost of a cathedral

Did you know that it costs £2357 a day to run Wakefield Cathedral?

We are still endeavouring to recover our finances from the impact of the pandemic. We live firm in hope, but as one of the poorest English cathedrals, with no significant endowments or reserves, located in an area of need, we face an uphill struggle.

Despite this we continue to deliver a lot, for a little!

• Our doors are open 365 days a year, as place of sanctuary and encounter for all;
• we offer worship throughout the day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
• we are a place for community and culture, hosting a wide range of arts and community events throughout the year and responding to local need in our Community Kitchen;
• we are a rich learning resource, welcoming local schools and supplementing classroom learning within them, in addition to adult education;
• we are committed to sustaining the English Choral tradition and to making our choirs as accessible and inclusive as possible;
• we preserve the magnificent fabric of the cathedral so that generations to come will be able to enjoy this important shared heritage.

As you would expect, we are doing all that we can both to generate funding and to steward our resources wisely in these challenging times, but to help us to recover our finances we really need people who can commit to regular monthly giving of any amount, no matter how small.

The nature and character of cathedral life means that our community and congregation is more transient and dispersed than a typical parish church, meaning that it is more difficult to establish regular giving.  Whatever your connection to Wakefield Cathedral, whether you live locally or far away, worship with us regularly or occasionally, value our heritage, our cultural space or our being at the heart of our community, we are counting on your help. I am acutely aware that all of us have increased pressure on our budgets at the moment, but we would be so grateful if you would consider making a regular financial contribution, however big or small.

There are a number of ways you can do this:

• You can give a regular Direct Debit through the Parish Giving Scheme (our chosen Direct Debit provider):
  • follow the link, search for Wakefield Cathedral or enter the Parish Code 460646004 and follow the instructions to register and set up a Direct Debit.
  • OR contact us to ask for a paper form.
• You can also make a regular donation via our online form
• For details of other ways to give, including by standing order, please give our Development Manager, Zoe Smith, a ring on 01924 434480. She will be very happy to answer any questions you may have about giving.

With every blessing and with all good wishes,
Dean Simon