Salford Cathedral is preparing to reopen its doors next month after completing an ambitious three-year restoration project that has transformed one of the city’s most important historic landmarks.
The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist will officially welcome worshippers, residents and visitors back from Saturday 4 July, with a weekend of celebrations marking the completion of extensive restoration, conservation and modernisation works.
The project has safeguarded the future of the Grade II* listed cathedral, which has served as the spiritual home of the Diocese of Salford for more than 175 years. Years of essential repairs have addressed ageing stonework and structural issues while carefully preserving the building’s rich architectural heritage.
Visitors returning to the cathedral will discover restored stained-glass windows, revitalised decorative interiors and conserved historic statues, alongside significant improvements designed to meet the needs of a modern congregation.
Among the most noticeable changes is a striking new glass entrance facing Chapel Street, creating a more welcoming and accessible gateway into the cathedral. The restoration has also introduced improved accessibility, upgraded facilities, greater flexibility for community events and new sustainable technologies, including energy-efficient exterior lighting.
The scale of the restoration has been significant. Contractors Simpsons of York used almost 29,000 scaffolding boards and around 283 miles of scaffolding tubes throughout the project. More than 680 people were inducted onto the site, with over half of the workforce recruited from Salford and the wider Greater Manchester area.
Environmental sustainability also played a major role, with almost 99 per cent of construction materials recycled during the works.
The cathedral’s restoration programme is not yet complete. Later this autumn, a new treasury will open, showcasing part of the cathedral’s remarkable collection of historic relics. Believed to be among the largest collections of its kind in the UK, the relics were donated during the 19th century and form an important part of the cathedral’s religious and cultural heritage.
Canon Michael Jones, Dean of Salford Cathedral, said the reopening marks the beginning of a new chapter for the cathedral and its community.
He said: “We are delighted to be welcoming our parish community and diocesan family back to our beautifully restored cathedral this summer.
“Over recent years, we have welcomed ever increasing numbers of parishioners, particularly young people and families, searching for spiritual enrichment and the start of a lifelong relationship with God.
“This project has allowed us not only to carry out vital repairs and restore the sacred beauty of our cathedral church, but also to adapt it for our growing parish community by incorporating modern and sustainable features that will serve future generations.”
The reopening celebrations will begin on 4 July, with the restored cathedral once again becoming a focal point for worship, heritage and community life in the heart of Salford.
Photos: Salford Cathedral
