Chester Memories: £10m appeal launch by Chester's original cathedral

By Chester Chronicle on Apr 28, 09 12:12 PM in 2000 onwards

Chester's original cathedral has launched a £10m appeal to restore the building as part of a vision to attract more visitors.

The Duke of Westminster starts the 10-year project today at St John the Baptist Church, by Grosvenor Park, in the presence of the Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster, and Lord Mayor Brian Bailey.

Founded in 689 AD, the walls of St John's have seen more than 1,000 years of prayer.

Crumbling stonework and the rotten roof are in urgent need of repair.

But with just 90 parishioners, funding must come from the wider community as well as bodies like English Heritage.

The vision aims to make the church financially self-sufficicent by installing heating so concerts can be held and generating income from tourists by creating a visitor centre on the rear garden.

The Rector of Chester, Father David Chesters, who is determined not to charge an entrance fee, said: "Christians have worshipped on the site of St John's since 689. The funds are needed to ensure the church stays open for future generations.

"And it's a great opportunity for the whole of Chester to get involved in a project to reposition St John's at the heart of the community."

The church has played a pivotal role in English history.

In 973, it is thought King Edgar worshipped at the church after being rowed up the Dee by other British princes in recognition of him being their overlord.

The church was rebuilt by the Normans and, between 1075 and 1102, it became a cathedral.

From the 13th century, its reputation was enhanced by the possession of an important religious relic - the Rood of Chester - which attracted pilgrims and, significantly, income.

The church suffered damage during the Civil War when it was captured by Parliamentarians, who used the church as barracks and the churchyard as a gun battery during the siege of Chester.

Anyone interested in helping the appeal can email Fr Chesters

The Grosvenor Museum presented Chester Through the Ages at St John's last Friday and on Sunday, for the first time, the Chester and District Scouts marched from The Castle to attend the St George's Day Service, which begins at 11am.

The medieval church suffered from neglect after the dissolution of the collegiate authorities in the 1540s. It also suffered damage during the Civil War when it was captured by the Parliamentarians who used the church as barracks and churchyard as a gun battery during the siege of Chester.

From here the Roundhead guns bombarded, and even breached, the city walls. The exterior is now largely Victorian, including restoration work by John Douglas, but the interior is Norman and medieval.