Appeal

Your Cathedral -

A centre for Prayer and Worship - 1857 - 2007 - for the future

The Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

S. Mary's is the centre of Roman Catholic life in North Wales

At the heart of the busy and developing town of Wrexham it is a haven of peace in a fast-moving and frantic environment.

It draws together people from many cultural and all social backgrounds from the local community , Diocese and the Marches region. As well as being the mother church of the Diocese of Wrexham and the home of major Diocesan events it provides a focus for other groups, organisations and communities.

S. Mary's houses the shrine and relic of S. Richard Gwyn - Catholic layman and teacher who was martyred in the Beast Market (now Eagles Meadow) in 1584.

The Buildings

S. Mary's, now a Grade ll listed building, was designed by the famous Victorian Architect, Edward Welby Pugin and completed in 1857, becoming the pro-cathedral of the Diocese of Menevia in 1898 and the Cathedral of the Diocese of Wrexham in 1987 when the Welsh Province of the Church was restructured.

Cathedral Hall - a vital asset to complement the cathedral has wide use as a community facility by Catholics and non-Catholics.

The Campaign

Like all historic buildings there is a constant need for restoration and modernisation. After 50 years or more the Cathedral has recently been rewired and new lighting installed. The stained-glass windows need repair and protection, the sanctuary needs re-ordering so as to provide a celebration space worthy of the building and the Cathedral Church. The Hall requires extensive refurbishment.

We need more than one million pounds for this and other remedial, renovation and restoration work, and to create a strategic reserve so that the future of S. Mary's Cathedral is assured.

Rewiring and re-lighting - £100,000

Refurbishment of Cathedral Hall - £150,000

Windows and stained-glass - £100,000

Essential repairs and modernisation - £100,000

Improvements to the organ and musical life of the Cathedral - £100,000

Reserve for future projects and repairs - £500,000

So much can be achieved at S. Mary's in time for the 150th Anniversary with the support of the whole Diocese and the wider community it serves. You can give your support by giving as generously as you can to secure the future of this important centre of spiritual and social life for your children, grandchildren and generations to come. It is your Cathedral. When making your will, please remember the church that served you and your family throughout your life by leaving a legacy.

HELP YOUR OWN PARISH TOO

If you have already signed a GIFT AID Declaration to favour your Parish, we will ensure that the reclaimed tax on your gift to the Cathedral will be paid over to benefit your parish.

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