People’s Cathedral Launches Make Your Mark Fundraising Campaign

Published on: 1 Mar, 2014
Updated on: 3 Mar, 2014

By Maria Rayner

Guildford Cathedral has launched a new fundraising campaign to save the listed structure parts of which are crumbling to reveal asbestos.

The Dean of Guildford Cathedral, the Very Rev’d Dianna Gwilliams at the launch of the Make Your Mark fundraising campaign.

The building, nicknamed the People’s Cathedral due to the unique way it was funded in the 1950s and 60s, does not have the coffers of older cathedrals, meaning that money for its refurbishment will need to come from fundraising and the sale of land.

TV presenter Pam Rhodes, who is supporting the campaign called Make Your Mark, said: “The race is on to raise £1.3 million by August so an application can be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a significant grant towards the total £7 million needed.”

Make Your Mark calls on Surrey residents and supporters from all over the world to make their mark and support the cathedral at this crucial crossroads in the building’s history.

Making their mark in their own way will be the Dean of Guildford, the Very Rev’d Dianna Gwilliams, who will abseil down the cathedral’s tower on April 26.

Fundraiser and Guildford Cathedral stalwart Frances Dawson.

Pam Rhodes will be hosting a special Songs of Praise, original brick-giver and long-time cathedral guide and supporter Frances Dawson is organising a Teddy’s birthday fundraiser, while Year 6 leavers from local church primary schools will build a cairn of bricks at their school leavers’ service, each brick representing a school’s donation.

The Dean said: “Between 1952 and 1961 a truly impressive range of people from schools and streets to couples on their wedding day and families remembering loved ones all came together to help complete the People’s Cathedral. Now we are hoping to mobilise a new generation to make their mark in support of this landmark building.

“At the same time we want to engage with this generation so it is known not only for its remarkable and distinctive architecture but as a cathedral which truly serves its community. Come and see us – it is your cathedral!”

In addition to the repairs to the vaulted ceiling, monies raised will go towards updating the lighting and sound systems.

Messages left as part of the campaign will be added to a Make Your Mark manuscript, which will be kept in the cathedral’s treasury and available for future generations. Appeal funds will also be used to develop visitor resources, in particular sharing the individual stories of the brick-givers and other people who have made their mark in the building’s colourful history.

If you are interested in helping the campaign then  go to Guildford’s Cathedral website: www.guildford-cathedral.org/makeyourmark

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