Chapter House Appeal - Lincoln Cathedral

Project: Chapter House Conservation
Details: Conservation and repair of external stonework
Estimated cost: Circa £1,650,000.00
Duration: Summer 2021 to Spring 2025

Heritage helps us all to understand more about the places and peoples of our city’s past. We need your help to undertake this next significant phase of heritage conservation work to Lincoln Cathedral, which is focused on the stunning Chapter House. As a thank you to you for your support, we will write your name onto a document that will be constructed into one of the pinnacles when it is reconstructed in the final stages of the project. The project will take approximately three years and cost in excess of £1.6million to complete.

‘We will write out the names of supporters and seal them inside a capsule within the stonework for future generations to discover.’

What is the Chapter House?

Begun in the 1220s for meetings of the Cathedral’s Chapter (the Cathedral’s governing body), the Chapter House has played an important role in the life of the Cathedral. Over the years the Chapter House has also three times played host to Parliament. Today, this glorious, vaulted building is used for the annual gathering of the College of Canons as well as a variety of special events such as concerts and dinners.

Above: The Chapter House at Lincoln Cathedral

What work needs to be done?

Over the next three years, and coming to a total of around £1.6 million, the Cathedral’s team of heritage craftspeople will:

work to conserve and replace where necessary through cleaning and repointing
carve and replace ashlars (the plain blocks) as well as detailed carving of the Lincoln Cathedral’s Chapter House external walls, flyers and gutter
research and replacement of carved embellishment around the parapet and upper orders
undertake cleaning and remediation works to the glazing
conserve of the woodwork to the doorways

Much of the work that needs to be undertaken on the Chapter House is the result of the natural environment, as well as correcting many of the lasting impacts of work undertaken during the Victorian period. Over time, the natural environment such as wind, rain snow and especially frost, have an impact of the stonework that gradually causes it to fracture and in extreme cases, fall from the building.

Above: Loss of carved detail is significant in many places

Sponsoring a stonemason is a great way to support the project. Starting at just £10 for 20 minutes, you will receive a certificate and information sheet on the work of our stonemasons. If you love heritage and the skill that goes into conserving buildings such as Lincoln Cathedral, we’re sure you’ll love sponsoring a stonemason!

Why we need your help?

Lincoln Cathedral is a charitable organisation that is responsible not only for the care of souls, but also for maintaining what is arguably one of the most important pieces of medieval cathedral architecture in the country. The Cathedral has a small endowment which generates income for the ongoing conservation work to the building, but much of the work is funded by grant making Trusts as well as individuals. Without the support of donors such as you, Lincoln Cathedral would not be able to protect the Cathedral for future generations to enjoy.

There are a number of ways you can support the campaign – from signing a stone, through to sponsoring the reconstruction of a pinnacle. Whichever you decide is right for you, we hope to be able to engage you with this glorious building, and the heritage we share through it.

Above: Pollutant and biological removal underway by one of the Cathedral’s conservators

How can you Support the Appeal?

There are a number of ways to support the Chapter House appeal, from a general donation to a variety of engaging and different opportunities, we’re sure there will be something that speaks to you.

Make a donation to this appeal

Sponsor a Stonemason

Above: A Cathedral stonemason working an ashlar

Donate £30 to Sponsor a Stonemason
(1 hour)

Donate £20 to sponsor a Stonemason
(40 minutes)

Donate £10 to Sponsor a Stonemason
(20 minutes)

Sign a Stone

It’s time to make your mark on Lincoln Cathedral, while supporting its conservation at the same time, this could be for you. Selected stones are set aside and divided up into a grid into which you can sign your name. We’ll arrange a time with you to come in and sign your stone. All the information is recorded and entered into the Cathedral archive. Signatures are not visible on the exterior face of the stone, but in centuries to come when the stone needs replacing, the story of each signature can be told again. When the stone is finally set into the building, we’ll invite you in to see it go in, and offer you a glass of prosecco to celebrate with the other people who share your stone.

Above: Sign your name on a stone, and leave your mark on the Cathedral

Donate £25 to Sign a Stone

Carve Your Name on a Stone

More prestigious than signing a stone, have your name carved into a newly crafted Chapter House stone. The carving will remain in situ for centuries to come. We’ll give you a commemorative pack that will include photograph of your stone, and a dedication certificate. When the stone is finally set into the building, we’ll invite you in to see it go in, and offer you a glass of prosecco to celebrate.

Above: Cathedral stonemason at work

Donate £150 to carve your name
(up to 10 characters)

Donate £300 to carve your name
(up to 20 characters)

If you would prefer to donate by cheque, please make it payable to ‘Lincoln Cathedral Fabric Fund’ and post FAO Amber Hardy with the details of your chosen donation opportunity to: Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Office, FREEPOST, 28 Eastgate, Lincoln, LN2 1BR

Contact Us

Should you wish to speak to someone about a new or existing membership, please contact Amber Hardy, the Fundraising Officer on 01522 561613, or by email to amber.hardy@lincolncathedral.com