Salford Cathedral has received more than £452,000 from the government for a series of works to protect the 19th century building. 

It comes as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced last month that 5,000 religious buildings in the United Kingdom will receive a share of up to £42 million in public funding.

The funding will go towards works that aim to protect the “long term safety” of the building. This includes refurbishment of the roof, new insulation, replacement windows and doors, and new lighting.

Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist (Salford Cathedral) Image taken by Galatas, Wikimedia

Canon Michael Jones of Salford Cathedral said: “We are delighted and so grateful to have been a beneficiary of the Listed Places of Worship Grant.

“This additional funding is much needed on our journey to fix and restore some of the original design features that have been lost over the years.

“Not only is the project looking to restore the Cathedral’s heritage, using innovative technologies will also provide new sources of energy to heat and light the Cathedral as well as offer long term drainage and roofing solutions to increasingly unpredictable and extreme patterns of weather associated with climate change.

“The project will enhance the sacred space and what we are able to offer the community here in Salford.”

Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist (Salford Cathedral)

Salford Cathedral was built between 1844 and 1848, and was the first cruciform catholic church to be built in England since the Reformation. Since then the cathedral has gone through multiple restorations to protect its fine architecture.

Commenting on the funding for community spaces, Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove said: “Investing in communities improves lives – whether that’s rebuilding a community centre, rescuing historic pubs and theatres or upgrading sports facilities used by families every day.

“These are unique and cherished places, valued by local people of all ages, and we know how much they mean to communities.”

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