Plea to save historic spire at Lancaster Cathedral

The spire has deteriorated after years of exposure to the elements and is now at risk of collapse without urgent repairs.

It needs restoration and key works will include rebuilding the spire’s summit, replacing its corroded central support structure, restoring the cross and repairing damaged stonework across the spire and tower.

These essential improvements will safeguard the landmark’s structural integrity and ensure its preservation for future generations.

Without these repairs, the Spire is in genuine risk of collapse.

The Friends of the Cathedral has begun an ambitious fundraising campaign encompassing the Parish, the City of Lancaster and now the Diocese.

The campaign will fund the phased, expert-engineered repair plan to secure the spire, prioritising the critical work.

The proposed project has four distinct parts:

*Rebuild the summit: dismantle and rebuild the top three metres of the spire to extract the damaged interior core.

*Upgrade the spire core: install a brand-new, corrosion-resistant central steel rod and a heavy-duty timber base support.

*Restore the cross: lower the three metre summit cross to a specialist workshop to repair structural fractures in its metal shaft.

*Fix all stone decay: utilise specialist high-level scaffolding to patch and repoint all failing masonry across the Spire and Tower.

The project has been launched in the cathedral parish and will be launched across the Lancaster Diocese next month in time for the Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral (October 4).

The cathedral will be open the following weekend as part of the Lancaster Heritage Trail.

As well as a display about the spire, cathedral Clergy and parishioners will show some of the historic treasures kept at the cathedral for the Diocese.

Entry is free and all are welcome.

The current estimated price of the project (Diocesan Property Office) is £850,000.

The project will begin in early spring 2027 with capital works undertaken in the summer.

£200,000 has already been acquired, with a further £25,000 pledged by Parishioners.

The Diocese parishioners will also have the opportunity to contribute following the formal launch of the appeal in early October.