Chapter House Phase Two
Project: Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House Conservation
Details: Conservation and repair of external stonework
Estimated cost of Phase Two: Circa £1.45m
Duration: Spring 2025 to Autumn 2027
Full estimated project cost for Phase One & Two: Circa £2.3m
Donate to this projectWhy are we working on the Chapter House?
The Chapter House here at Lincoln is a wonderful 13th century building that, although having been under conservation and repair for about three years, still needs a great deal of love and attention. The stonework where the next phase of work will take place is showing advanced signs of distress, with many of the elaborate carvings and decorative stones around the parapet and in the arches over the window experiencing stone falls.
Why has this happened?
When the building was worked on during the Victorian period, a great deal of cement was used to both stabilise it, as well as to secure stones when they were replaced. At the time this was thought to be the best solution to the problem, but unlike the lime mortar that was used in the medieval period (and which we use to make repairs today), concrete is not porous. This meant that over time, moisture was held within the stone which then suffered from the freeze thaw action that caused the stone to deteriorate, and ultimately break off or crumble. Most of the stones we are currently replacing are from this period.
We need to remove the stones that have become too weak to perform their structural function, and also replace the carvings that have been lost. The works department also remove as much of the concrete as they are able, to the point where to remove more would cause greater damage to the stone than leaving it in situ.
I’d like to donate!
Thank you for your support! To ensure every penny of your donation goes towards the Chapter House project, please consider selecting the option to cover the transaction fees.
If you are a UK income taxpayer, please remember to apply Gift Aid to your donation!
Here’s an interesting Chapter House fact!
Since the start of Chapter House Phase One, the Works Department have cut and replaced around 450 stones weighing about 25 tonnes – that’s a LOT of stone!
What work is being undertaken?
Starting in spring 2025 until autumn 2027, and coming to a total of around £1.45 million, the Cathedral’s team of heritage craftspeople will be undertaking conservation and repair work including:
- 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 high-level doorways
Much of the work needed is the result of the environmental factors, as well as correcting many of the lasting impacts of work undertaken during the Victorian period. Over time, the environment factors 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.
Why we need your help
Lincoln Cathedral is a registered charity 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 a pure donation, signing a stone, sponsoring a stonemason or the carving of a stone. Whichever you decide is right for you, you’ll be leaving your mark on we hope to be able to engage you with this glorious building, and the heritage we share through it.
Before and After
These images from Phase One highlight some of the kind of work your donation will help to support. Conservation and repair work like this, helps to ensure we do our bit to ensure there is a Cathedral in Lincoln for future generations to love and enjoy!
Ways to Support Phase Two
All donations in support of this project are warmly welcomed. The Chapter House is in itself a unique and instantly recognisable elements of Lincoln Cathedral. Every single donation will help in enabling us to fund the work.
By clicking on any of the ‘I’d like to donate…’ buttons on this page, you can make a donation to this important project, helping to conserve and repair the Chapter House.
Lincoln Cathedral is a registered charity, and contrary to popular thought, does not receive routine funding from central government or the Church of England to support the conservation and repair of the building.
Every donation received directly helps to support our shared heritage. Heritage is important because it connects us as people in the modern world with those who have gone before, sharing a common appreciation of the beauty and history of Lincoln Cathedral’s Chapter House.
Sponsor a Stonemason
Starting at just £30 for one hour, sponsoring a stonemason is a great way to support the heritage skills that sustain the Cathedral building. If you love heritage and admire the skill that goes into conserving buildings such as Lincoln Cathedral, we’re sure you’ll love sponsoring a stonemason!
Sign a Stone
From just £30, you can sign your name on an internal face of stone to be discovered by future generations. We’ll send you an image of the stone in-situ once it’s been set.
Please note – there may be quite some time between the signing and the point the stone is set.
Name Carving
From £200 for up to 10 characters, have your name carved onto the internal face of a newly-crafted Chapter House stone to be discovered by future generations. We’ll give you a commemorative pack that will include a photograph of your carving on the stone, and a dedication certificate. When the stone is finally set into the building, we’ll invite you on the Chapter House scaffold to see it in situ.
Please note – the carving will not be visible on the external surface. There may be quite some time between the carving and the stone being set.
I’d like to donate!
Thank you for your support! To ensure every penny of your donation goes towards the Wren Library repairs project, please consider selecting the option to cover the transaction fees.
If you are a UK income taxpayer, please remember to apply Gift Aid to your donation!
Acknowledgements
The Dean and Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral kindly acknowledge all the generous supporters of this project, which include:
The Garfield Weston Foundation
The Dean and Chapter are grateful to the Trustees of The Garfield Weston Foundation for their generous grant of £150,000 to the Chapter House repairs.
The Headley Trust
The Dean and Chapter are grateful to the Trustees of The Headley Trust for their generous grant of £35,000 in support of phase two of the Chapter House repairs.
