Restoration at Halifax MinsterRestoration at Halifax Minster
Restoration at Halifax Minster

Halifax Minster restoration: Behind the scene pictures of huge project to repair town's historic gem

Halifax's ancient Minster is now undergoing some of the biggest and most major repairs and restoration in its history thanks to a cash injection from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the government set up the £1.57 billion Fund, of which £10m was awarded to the Church of England to support cathedrals and major churches.

Halifax Minster was awarded £124,000 together with match funding from The Friends of the Minster and the Headley Trust, amounting to over £200,000 which is now allowing much-needed repairs to the fabric of this 900 year old building.

Vicar of Halifax, The Rev Canon Hilary Barber revealed that the repairs were to the south side and the east elevations.

He said: “We are very excited to have been awarded the funding and to be starting these repairs which are some of the most major in the history of the Minster. They include significant re-pointing of the stone work as well as stone replacement, and repairs to the Minster’s distinctive pinnacles. The scaffolding for this project is significant.

“Work also includes repairs to our stained glass windows, which sadly have been damaged by vandalism over the years, and the introduction of new guards for the most vulnerable windows. One of the significant windows is a Commonwealth Window dating back to 1645.

“This work is not only helping to restore the Minster for future generations but it also provides much-needed work for stonemasons, architects and surveyors and scaffolding contractors, helping them to avoid furlough and unemployment within the heritage sector during these unprecedented and very uncertain times.

We are very grateful to the Government for making this money available to help preserve this important heritage asset and to help keep people in work at such a difficult time for everyone.”

*Heritage Conservation are the main contractors delivering the project and they are now providing an opportunity for the media to climb the scaffolding to record the lifting of one of the pinnacles before repair, and a chance to record the Minster from a great height not seen by the public probably ever before.

Vicar of Halifax, The Rev Canon Hilary Barber revealed that the repairs were to the south side and the east elevations.