St Mary’s Cathedral and St Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh have each received a £10k grant to help with repairs.

St Mary's Cathedral

The grant from the National Churches Trust will support the Cathedral's efforts to fix defective slates and replace the lead in the roof that has resulted in water damage.  

Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Cathedral Administrator, said: “The ongoing water damage, particularly to the ceiling of the Sacristy, has been a major concern.

"Without urgent repairs, the safety of the building and its visitors would be at risk, so the generous £10,000 grant from the National Churches Trust is most welcome.

“We are a busy city centre church community and it’s important to us to have our doors open 365 days a year to offer a quiet space for reflection, prayer and daily Mass."

The Cathedral is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the UK and is where the national shrine of St Andrew is located. 

St Margaret's Chapel

There is cracked masonry in the exterior walls that has led to water penetrating the Category A Listed St Margaret’s Chapel at The Gillis Centre on Strathearn Road.

Archbishop Cushley said:  “St Margaret’s Chapel is a special place for the Archdiocese.

 "It is a quiet sanctuary, a reminder of our past, and a space for reflection and prayer at the regular events we host.

"The urgent need for roof and masonry repairs was becoming a serious concern, so the £10,000 grant will make a real difference.

"It means we can protect the building’s structural integrity and provide peace of mind to the visitors and staff who use the chapel.” 

The £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation will go towards repairing the roof and masonry to prevent further water damage. 

The chapel – opened in 1825 – is home to important heritage, such as stunning stained glass windows by Pugin and a beautiful high altar.  

Support

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said:   "The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St Margaret’s Chapel and St Mary’s Cathedral to enable them to carry out urgent repairs.

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship or explore, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.” 

The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme allows listed churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals to reclaim VAT on urgent repair projects.

It has helped 13,000 places of worship since it was introduced in 2001, the vast majority of them churches.