Adopting Lincoln Cathedral
We’re so pleased you’re thinking about adopting part of Lincoln Cathedral. Over the years, the adoption scheme has helped to raise over £350,000 in support of the vital conservation and repair of the building, its organ and collection.
Please browse through the options below to find the adoption that is perfect for you.
We aim to despatch adoption packs within seven business days via Royal Mail 2nd class postage. Please call us on 01522 561613 if you need your pack sooner.
Stone Adoptions
Lincoln Cathedral was built to inspire. Adopting a stone is a lovely way of helping to maintain the building as well as keeping heritage skills alive for the future. Whether it’s for yourself, or a gift for that someone who ‘has everything’, a stone adoption is always a rock solid choice.
What will I receive when I adopt a stone?
When you adopt a stone, you will receive an Adoption Pack containing:
- An A3 plan of the West Front of the Cathedral locating your adopted stone
- An adoption certificate
- A dedication certificate in either your name or a gift recipient’s name
What’s more, you’ll also receive a great feeling inside because you’ve done something really positive to support a charity.
Images are for illustration purposes only. Actual stone will differ.
Block Stone
£30
Block stones, called Ashlars, make up the bulk of stones in the Cathedral. We think they each have a subtle beauty and character of their own.
Shaped Stone
£80
Shaped stones add that little bit of extra shape and interest. We’re sure you’ll be pleased with your shaped stone adoption.
Carved Stone
£150
Carved stones are all special as they include carved detail that makes them stand out more than a shaped stone.
Sculpted Stone
£250
Sculpted stones are the most highly decorative stones, carved in 3D to give exquisite detail and impact.
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Glass Adoptions
Lincoln Cathedral is home to 140 unique stained glass windows, ranging from rare medieval glass from the 13th century to more modern work. As sunlight streams into the Cathedral building the floor and pillars are awash with colour which is a delight to see. Each window tells it’s own story and our skilled glaziers work sensitively, painstakingly and with great skill to ensure the colour and stories are kept alive.
What will I receive when I adopt a glass panel?
When you adopt a glass panel, you will receive an Adoption Pack containing:
- An A5 plan of the the window locating your adopted glass panel
- An adoption certificate
- A dedication certificate in either your name or a gift recipient’s name
What’s more, you’ll also receive a great feeling inside because you’ve done something really positive to support a charity.
Images are for illustration purposes only. Actual panel will differ.
Small Decorative Panel
£30
These sections of decorative glass are found around the boarder of the window. It is a repeated pattern and your adopted section will be marked out clearly in your adoption pack.
Decorative Panel
£80
These sections are found within the body of the window and are a similar size to the small decorative panels, but are in a more prominent position.
Large Decorative Panel
£150
Like the decorative panels, these sections are found within the body of the window, but are far larger and for the most part, boarder an illustrated panel.
Small Illustrated Panel
£250
These illustrated panels each depict an individual from the Old Testament. The details of this will be included in your adoption pack.
Large Illustrated Panel
£500
These large panels each tell a story from the bible. The current windows all relate to stories from the Old Testament, and the adoption pack additionally includes the details of the biblical reference, as well as a printed version of the story the panel is depicting.
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Pipe Adoptions
Completed in 1898, the Father Willis Organ at Lincoln was the last cathedral organ finished by ‘Father’ Willis himself, and is one of his finest instruments; sometimes described as “the fairest in the land”. Pipe adoptions support the ongoing conservation, restoration and tuning of the organ and help ensure that the organ continues to “lift the spirit” of all who hear it.
What will I receive when I adopt an organ pipe?
When you adopt an organ pipe, you will receive an Adoption Pack containing:
- An adoption certificate
- A dedication certificate in either your name or a gift recipient’s name
- A post card of Lincoln Cathedral’s Father Willis Organ
What’s more, you’ll also receive a great feeling inside because you’ve done something really positive to support a charity.
Images are for illustration purposes only.
Small Standard Pipe (up to 4ft)
£30
These are the most intricate pipes in the Father Willis organ, producing the delicate higher pitched notes.
Standard Pipe (8ft)
£80
The staple of organ pipes, these are the notes you’ll hear most often used when the organists play.
Mix (III rks)
£150
This option is a mix of three pipes that are used simultaneously to create a wonderful sound.
Large Standard Pipe (16ft)
£250
These are the largest pipes that form Lincoln’s Father Willis Organ, creating deep sounds that make the building rumble, and that you can feel deep in your chest.
Remaining stock is limited.
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Book & Manuscript Page Adoptions
Preservation of ancient books and manuscripts keeps history alive in a unique and permanent way: and is arguably more important than ever in the digital and virtual work in which we live. The Wren Library houses a wide variety of historical books as well as a collection of 261 unique medieval manuscripts, many of which boast magnificent illustrations and illuminations (traditional medieval designs using handmade paint and 24 carat gold). Adoptions of books and pages go towards conserving these magnificent treasures for all.
What will I receive when I adopt a book or a manuscript page?
When you adopt a book or manuscript page, you will receive an Adoption Pack containing:
- An adoption certificate
- A dedication certificate in either your name or a gift recipient’s name
- An image of the front page of your book or specific page
What’s more, you’ll also receive a great feeling inside because you’ve done something really positive to support a charity.
Images are for illustration purposes only. Actual book or page will differ.
Book Adoption
£30
All of these books date between 1700 and 1799 and are amongst the ‘youngest’ historic books in the collection.
Out of stock
Book Adoption
£80
All of these books date between 1600 and 1699.
Out of stock
Book Adoption
£150
These are our oldest books dating between 1500 and 1599.
Looking for something older? Have a look at the manuscript pages below.
Out of stock
Medieval Text
£30
These pages are from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, 15th century. This is one of only 50 surviving manuscript copies of the Canterbury Tales. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales between 1387 and 1400. It is the story of a group of thirty people who travel as pilgrims to Canterbury. The pilgrims, who come from all levels of society, tell stories to each other to pass the time on their journey. These stories make up the Canterbury Tales.
Illustrated Page
£80
This page is from Ricardus Rolle, circa 1400. Richard Rolle (1290-1349) was an English religious writer and mystic born in Yorkshire. The library holds a number of items by him. This particular manuscript is a collection of his religious writings. It was written in the 14th century by five different scribes and is decorated throughout with miniatures in red, blue and green which to illustrate the text.
Out of stock
Illuminated Page
£150
This page is from Penitential Psalms, 15th century. This beautiful little book of psalms belonged at one time to William Maurice Wright JP (1873-1956) of Wold Newton near North Thoresby in the Lincolnshire Wolds. The skill and craftsmanship that went into the decorating of each page is easy to see. Almost every page shines with gold leaf and many of the borders contain the most delicate of flowers and foliage.