Projects your donation supports
York Minster is a fragile masterpiece that needs constant care. It is also a center of innovation and plays a leading international role in the development of the heritage craft skills needed to support and preserve its precious stonework and unique collection of medieval stained glass. When account is taken of the ongoing preservation work, it costs more than $35,000 per day to operate the building and keep it open for worship and for the delight of the hundreds of thousands of visitors who pass through its doors each year.
Preserving the past.
A 100-year rolling program of maintenance is in place to ensure the stonework and glass are preserved for the generations to come, and this unique cathedral continues to serve the Church and the community. Tackling the ever constant challenges of centuries of exposure to the elements that impact the building on a daily basis demands is a demanding business that costs over $3M a year.
Looking to the future.
In addition to the ongoing care of the cathedral, York Minster is committed to some major projects that will ensure that its precinct is ready to embrace opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
St William’s College.
A total renovation of this unique 15th Century gem, that served as the base for the pre-Reformation clergy. Its restoration will provide office, banqueting and conference space in a truly historic environment, offering much-needed income-generating function space within the precincts.
The Old Palace.
The breathtaking collection of books, manuscripts and artefacts – including the 1000-year old ‘York Gospels’ – are currently at risk, stored in a failing building. The Minster is committed to the design and creation of a world-class museum built around the medieval Archbishop’s palace to ensure that the educational work of the cathedral can flourish.
Endowing the Choral Foundation.
The Minster’s choir is world-famous for the excellence of its singing at our services six days a week. But the costs of such excellence in terms of chorister education and salaried professional musicians is becoming ever harder to sustain throughout the sector. We seek to endow this unique musical legacy to ensure that choral services will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
