A YEAR-long £3m project to restore and transform the nave at Wakefield Catherdal has been completed after a mammoth fundraising effort.
The old pews have gone to create a flexible open space for worship, public gatherings, concerts celebrations and other community uses.
The new-look nave – which features improved lighting, flooring, heating and sound systems – will open to the public this Saturday.
And the first service will take place in the newly renovated nave at 9.15am the following day, Palm Sunday.
The Very Rev Jonathan Greener, Dean of Wakefield Cathedral, said: ““I have been enormously touched by people’s generosity.
“Not just those who have abseiled, thrown themselves out of planes, held supper parties or shaved off their hair. In this current financial climate, it is nothing short of a miracle that we have achieved so much and I would like to say thank you to everyone who made this possible.”
He added: “I am thrilled. The finished nave looks more beautiful than I thought possible. Clearing away the Victorian pews and clutter has revealed a glorious medieval space in which I have found my heart is truly lifted towards heaven.
““This last year has been dominated by building work as we created a marvellous new bright and flexible nave fit for the 21st century. The Cathedral has always been at the heart of the city, now with our wonderfully restored space we believe we can reach out in new and exciting ways and be at the heart and in the hearts of the people of this city and beyond.”
Rev Greener’s wife Pamela successfully campaigned for the cathedral project to be excluded from government proposals to impose VAT on projects to restore historic buildings as work was already underway.
Cathedral chiefs say the extra VAT cost would have scuppered the renovation plans as another £200,000 would have been added to the project’s cost.
A labyrinth has been built into the Yorkshire stone floor of the nave.
And the restoration has revealed part of a painted angel above the rood screen which historians believe dates back 700 years to when the original church walls were built.
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