Large parts of the Cathedral are in poor repair, no longer watertight and with failing masonry. This is the right time to fix these and restore some of the original design features that have been lost over the years, creating new ‘places of encounter’, and enhancing the sense of the sacred.

The Cathedral is a Grade II listed building and it is our responsibility to ensure that the fabric of the building is repaired and maintained for future generations to be able to worship within our Mother Church.

We are also taking the opportunity to make Salford Cathedral the most sustainable Cathedral in the UK. This will involve the use of the most up to date technology and providing long term solutions to increasingly unpredictable and extreme patterns of weather associated with climate change. It is right that we do this to protect the Cathedral for the future and maximise the changes that can be made while other work is ongoing.

The re-ordering, repair and restoration project will not only restore the Cathedral’s heritage and sense of the sacred space but will increase capacity for the growing parish community and visitors alike. It is an opportunity to the look to the future of the Cathedral and as part of the process we will provide flexible spaces for the growing congregation and a flourishing music programme.

By combining our respect for the history of the cathedral with the new expertise and equipment we have now, we will be ensuring our sanctuary in the city is fully sustainable and a source of spiritual inspiration for future generations.

After over 170 years the cathedral is in need of major repair work and refurbishment. During it’s history some aspects of the original style and sacred ambience of the Cathedral have been lost and the current finish no longer does justice to the Cathedral’s dual role at the heart of diocesan life.

As we have started to undertake the external work it became evident that the stonework, roof and spire needed more restoration and repairs than original believed. This has had an impact on the timings and cost of the project. This has also meant we have had to adapt and change some of our plans being mindful of our finances and that our responsibility as guardians of a listed building has on the fabric.

In July 2023 we closed the Cathedral so that we could move to Phase Two and the repairs and restoration of the inside of the building.

The extent of the repairs needed on the inside of the building is a major operation and we took the decision to close the Cathedral and relocate to a temporary building on the same site. This meant we could accelerate and condense the programme of work. Shutting the doors of the Cathedral was not our first option but it does mean that we will be able to make the repairs, restore and reorder the Cathedral safely and faster.

The Cathedral restoration project will seek to repair the fabric of the building, conserving the Cathedral, renewing its interior and ensuring our sanctuary in the city is fully sustainable and a source of spiritual inspiration for future generations. 

Those involved in the Cathedral project are learning to work with the building to enhance the fabric and reintroduce some of the lost aspects of the Cathedral to reflect its former glory. We are also introducing a new external lighting scheme that will light the Cathedral and the spire at night. LED technology means that this can be achieved more simply and cost effectively that before.

• Repair
• Conserve
• Sustain

The Cathedral was built at a time when energy was cheap, materials were readily available and sustainable development and construction were unknown. Th Cathedral is therefore poorly insulated, not watertight and does not properly represent the sustainable aspirations of the Diocese and wider Catholic community.

As we take this opportunity to address key sustainability issues we will:

• Install insulation across the whole roof
• Installation of an insulated floor slab and underfloor heating via a ground source heat pump
• Installation of secondary conservation glazing which as well improving the heat in the building will help conserve the stain glass. The look of the windows will be maintained.

They include:

• Reordering of the Cathedral, including relocating the altar more in keeping with a Latin Cross Church. It is also intended that these changes will improve the relationship between the sanctuary and the congregation.

• The Blessed Sacrament Chapel will have screens reinstalled allowing it to better function as a devotional chapel.

• In the North Transcript, the current proposal is to create a Chapel of Initiation with a new font, while fully respecting Bishop Holland’s resting place and the War Memorial Chapel.

• Redecoration of the Cathedral to restore original design features that have been lost over the years. Creating places of encounter and using a new lighting scheme to enhance key liturgical features.

• New seating with a changed layout and increased capacity for our growing congregation and for our large diocesan celebrations. This includes specific seating for the Cathedral’s Chapter of Canons and the Choir.

This is a major project and one of the largest restoration projects the diocese has seen. It will requires careful planning and a large amount of money. Unfortunately, has meant disruption to the life of the Cathedral.

In July 2023 our contractors took over the Cathedral and we moved to a temporary purpose built building on the same site. We will remain in this building until we are able to reopen. The Cathedral Community has come together and made our temporary home a vibrant place to worship.

The diocesan trustees have made the renovation of the Cathedral its priority. They have committed the required funds to undertake the work. The budget has risen due to the extent of repairs needed and the fluctuation in building materials. The projected is now expected to be just over £20million

The great majority of the repair concerns the external fabric, with a relatively small amount being used for internal redecoration and refurbishment. The redecoration costs have been reduced significantly due to the impact that’s the repair work has had on the building. The costs of this restoration are not being met from any parish funding but from diocesan reserves.

At the same time, we hope to utilise all available funding streams and grants and our team will be researching the most appropriate methods of applying for this financial assistance.