Vision 2035, sets out the Cathedral’s strategic and business plan for the coming years.
Across different themes our vision describes the present situation and our ambitious and far-reaching aims for 2035, which once achieved, become the new baseline for the next stage of growth and improvement. The means by which we shall achieve these aims is through the Development Project.
We aim to carry out limited and sensitive interventions to the fabric of the building. These alterations will greatly improve access for visitors and enable the provision of appropriate facilities for them, and create better working conditions for staff and volunteers.
We will also renew and grow our links with the local community, sharing the Cathedral’s heritage and core mission of service to all in partnership with residents, visitors and local organisations across Greater Manchester and beyond. A particular emphasis will be on the needs and aspirations of young people. Like all such plans, we know they will evolve and change as we shape our future together and reach out to the deprived and the marginalised.
We invite you to read and think about Vision 2035, enjoy the images that illustrate our diverse and inclusive working life, and tell us how you would like to become involved in these exciting developments for a sustainable future.
Since Vision 2030 much has happened in the life of the Cathedral. We were able to celebrate the 600th anniversary in 2021of the founding of the collegiate church by the publication of a important new history of the Cathedral, and an outstanding celebratory service at which the Archbishop of York presided and preached. In 2023 a Cathedral-led delegation to Pope Francis demonstrated our commitment to the principles of Our Faith, Our Planet and a sustainable environment across all Manchester’s leading institutions.
A Chapter away day to work on Vision 2035 in April 2023 ensured the new plan fulfilled the aspirations and ambitions of all members, prior to its endorsement by Chapter in July. The contents represent a confident and significant statement of our development projects, our profile in the diocese, city and county, and our ever-deepening service to the community.
This strategic and business plan will guide our ministry and mission, together with the improvements to our infrastructure and facilities, and our ability to reach out more comprehensively to our community. Like all such plans, the document will continue to evolve and develop as God’s Spirit shapes and leads us in the present and into a sustainable future.
The vision seeks to bring about the transformation that the good news of Jesus calls us to offer to the world. I commend Vision 2035 for your prayers, support and participation.
Rogers Govender, Dean, Manchester Cathedral - 7 August 2023
Vision
The Cathedral community, as a place of worship, prayer and welcome, serves God and all people through its hospitality, education, music, and social inclusion.
To be the Cathedral both for the Diocese of Manchester and all the people of Greater Manchester
To bear witness to the Christian faith through worship, service and discipleship
To be a place of welcome for people of all faiths or none, and to promote religious understanding and harmony
To enable all who participate in the life of the Cathedral to grow in Christian faith and spirituality and to develop a deeper understanding of and connections with all other faith communities
To develop programmes of education, music and heritage for the benefit of all ages and educational backgrounds
To be a prophetic learning community that fosters debate and engagement with contemporary social issues.
Objectives
We shall support all people as a centre of excellence through our acts of worship and our welcome, education, music and heritage. We shall reach out to our local community through events that foster advocacy, offer radical challenge and achieve bridge building. We shall improve our infrastructure to increase further our organisational effectiveness, to enlarge capacity, to provide enhanced worship and learning opportunities, and to demonstrate our care for creation and our financial sustainability. Through the accessibility, discipleship and relevance of our Cathedral, we shall show the path to God for all who come near, of all faiths and none.
In 2023
The Cathedral constitutes a Christian community that brings together diverse worshipping communities based on Christian heritage and traditions.
The Cathedral seeks to develop the theological and spiritual literacy and wellbeing of the wider community.
The Cathedral constantly challenges contemporary society to develop constructive visions for the future and facilitates change and renewal.
The Cathedral’s distinctive role includes close working with other Church of England parishes in Greater Manchester and across the Diocese of Manchester.
The Cathedral educates and informs its congregations, students, visitors and volunteers, through heritage and history, the arts, music and by all other means available to it.
The Cathedral hosts activities that contribute to the learning and quality of life of its community, both income-generating and as free gifts.
The Cathedral shares its fabric, its setting, its archaeology, and its history and heritage, with all who come.
The Cathedral values its external partnerships as fundamental to the growth and development of its mission, including its growing international connections.
The Cathedral enjoys strong partnerships with Manchester City Council and with neighbours within the Medieval Quarter, seeking to optimise heritage and community-based opportunities that flow from the Cathedral’s location in the City.
The Cathedral recruits, trains and supports a team of 50 visitor offer volunteers.
To 2035
The Cathedral will develop and deepen the theological understanding and spiritual literacy of the wider community.
The Cathedral will show strong leadership in interfaith work that is senstitive to cultural and faith differences, but with the confidence to open up dialogue across all faiths.
The Cathedral will support its congregations to become more active in driving the mission of the Vathedral, and to increase congregational diversity. This will include more involvement of the laity in interfaith work and development.
The Cathedral will improve information and heighten communication internally and externally, encouraging greater participation in the life and activities of the Cathedral and developing more opportunities to work collaboratively with the community. It will ensure communications are strategically managed across faith and communities, especially work to make new connections with other faiths and local communities.
The Cathedral, working collaboratively with Church House and the Diocese, and with other parishes and other denominations, including through shared patronal festivals, ordinations and special services. It will reach out to new and existing residents in close proximity to the Cathedral, to ensure that Christian faith and values are proclaimed within developing Manchester and all its diverse communities.
The Cathedral will enhance and strengthen its visitor offer, including the interpretation of its 600 years of heritage and history; increasing its visitor numbers to 300,000 per annum.
The Cathedral will udnertake market research, to draw in more people year on year across an ever-widening range of backgrounds and opportunities.
The Cathedral will improve and develop access to its treasures and archives, and will document and interpret the riches of the Cathedral's past and future, including trhough the appointment and support of an archivist.
The Cathedral will promote and enlarge its educational and music provision to involve all age groups and educational backgrounds, for the provision of formal and informal teaching and learning.
The Cathedral will work in close collabrorative partnership with its immediate neighbours, especially Chetam's School of Music Library, to optimise the visitor, heritage-related and shared cpmmunity opportunities of the Medieval Quarter, including for performance and other arts, and to build further strong relationships with Manchester City Council.
The Cathedral will work closely with the Friends of Manchester cathedral for the support of the Cathedral's mission and outreach.
In 2023
The Cathedral follows the liturgical year and the Canons of the Church of England with appropriate services of the word and by the celebration of the sacraments.
The Cathedral provides high standard diocesan, interfaith, civic, education and other special services, with different liturgical expressions that minister to the needs of each community.
The Cathedral’s worship is supported and enhanced by high quality music of all kinds.
The Cathedral offers pastoral support to its congregations and beyond, extending a warm welcome to visitors of all faiths or none.
The Cathedral bears witness to the Christian faith through its worship, its theological and educational programmes, and through the life and witness of its community.
To 2035
The Cathedral will develop and implement its Liturgical Plan, keeping under review its liturgy and worship and introducing changes as agreed by the Chapter.
The Cathedral’s worship will be in person and on line, celebrating both equally.
The Cathedral will support the Bishop of Manchester and heighten the focus on the significance of partnership working with the parishes and churches of the Diocese as they serve Christ in a fast-changing world.
The Cathedral will increase the numbers of its congregations by 50% over the period, and enlarge its Electoral Roll by 50%.
In 2023
We treat all staff, members of congregations, volunteers and visitors equally. We embrace differences of race, sex, gender, age and disability, and the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, with a proven record of support for all.
We open the Cathedral doors to alleviate poverty, hardship, exclusion and hatred, illness and homelessness. We work towards greater social cohesion and equality, seek to combat and where possible ameliorate these problems, and provide an open and welcoming space to all members of the community.
We warmly welcome visitors of every age and educational background, guided by our values and aspirations and guided by our confident belief in our values.
We support and uphold initiatives in the public square that inter alia challenge hate, care for the planet, and help individuals realise their employment potential through Volition Community.
To 2035
We shall consistently explore means by which to challenge contemporary society and achieve greater equality, diversity and inclusion, and nurture seeds of positive change within our communities for future growth and flowering.
We shall develop our understanding of the Cathedral’s public theology, in partnership with further and higher education institutions throughout Greater Manchester.
We shall extend and enlarge the Cathedral’s educational, musical and learning activities, with an emphasis on inclusivity, for all ages and educational backgrounds and the disadvantaged and excluded.
We shall increase Volition Community to 400 programme graduates per year, while constantly upholding its whole person approach, and strengthen the connections between Volition Community and the Cathedral.
We shall recruit, train and care for increased numbers of volunteers to participate in the life of the Cathedral.
We shall transform access to and interpretation of the Cathedral’s fabric, its treasures and its archives for the enjoyment and learning of all.
We shall make the Cathedral digitally connected, with special reference to its worship, fabric, treasures and history.
Governace - In 2023
The Cathedral is the cathedra (seat of spiritual authority) of the Bishop of Manchester.
The Chapter, led and chaired by the Dean, sets policy for all aspects of the Cathedral’s life, with particular reference to good use of Cathedral resources.
The Chapter’s financial authority is exercised through the Finance Committee.
The Fabric Advisory Committee, currently chaired by Mr Stephen Raw, advises the Chapter on the upkeep and development of the Cathedral’s fabric.
The Manchester Cathedral Development Trust, currently chaired by Mr Robert Hough, has responsibility with the Director of Fundraising and Development for the fundraising activities of the Cathedral.
The Cathedral sets up working and project groups ad hoc with defined terms of reference as and when required.
Governance - To 2035
The Cathedral, principally through the Dean and Chapter, will regularly review this strategic and business plan, paying particular attention to targets and specific objectives, and will adjust policy and procedures to ensure that targets are met and objectives achieved.
The Chapter will monitor the effects on the Cathedral of the provisions of the Cathedrals Measure 2021, now in force for the Cathedral, and will ensure that its financial management and procedures are fully consonant with the Measure.
The Cathedral, through its Chapter and related bodies, will carry out the second phase of the development project and build on the outcome for the Cathedral’s business continuity and long-term sustainability.
The Chapter will encourage new initiatives and responsible risk taking, nurturing its strong relationships with the Diocese of Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Safeguarding - In 2023
TThe Cathedral is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults and wholeheartedly embraces the policies and procedures available to ensure a safe institution.
The Chapter, working in line with national legislation and guidance from the House of Bishops and the Archbishops’ Council, sets the safeguarding policy for the Cathedral.
The Dean takes responsibility for all aspects of safeguarding, working with the Diocese of Manchester, and supported by the Chief Operating Officer.
The Cathedral is acting upon the reccomendations of the July 2022 SCIE report and is preparing for the iNEQE review of 2027.
To 2025 -
The Cathedral will review its safeguarding policies and procedures, including the implementation of reccomendations from the 2022 SCIE audit and their monitoring.
The Cathedral will seek to set up a service level agreement with the Diocese of Manchester.
The Cathedral will be responsive to additional guidance and information from the House of Bishops and the Archbishops’ Council to ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults are safe and cared for at the Cathedral.
The Cathedral will ensure that the staff, volunteers and all members of the Cathedral community know how to make safeguarding concerns known promptly and securely.
Finance - In 2023
The Chapter fulfils the 1999 Cathedrals Measure by prudent and responsible management of all Cathedral resources.
The Cathedral Chapter, by means of an annual budget and on the advice of the Finance Committee, is responsible for all aspects of the Cathedral’s funding and resources, and for the management of the effects from additional and unavoidable costs as the results of changes from time to time in national policy.
Finance - To 2035
The Cathedral will ensure that its financial structures and procedures are in line with the relevant provisions of the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and accounting best practice.
The Cathedral will deliver break even budgets and year-end returns annually throughout the period, moving to medium and long-term sustainability as a result of approved departmental budgets that cover costs and generate income, and in line with the published reserves policy.
The Cathedral will continue to drive commecial revenue generation, in harmony with the Cathedral's mission of worship
The Cathedral will increase its annual external income by 5% year on year, in line with policies laid down by the Chapter, and as a result of the additional capacity and revenue-generating opportunities arising from the completed development programme.
The Cathedral will diversify its income streams, including by active stewardship, increased visitor contributions, sustainable land and property revenues, and commercial events and related activity, ensuring that all Cathedral assets work to its maximum benefit.
The Cathedral will develop revenue generation from its congregations, including by the implementation of the Cathedral will implement the Parish Giving Scheme in order uplift regular giving and a sense of shared purpose, aiming to increase congregational giving to £75,000 per annum.
The Cathedral will manage its investments and property to realise medium and long-term capital growth of 3% per annum, including the generation of the annual revenue stream from historical property ownership across Greater Manchester.
The Cathedral will continue to provide heritage, educational and artistic services to the community on both a free of charge and revenue generating basis.
The Cathedral will build on fundraising opportunities, including legacy development. It will seek donations, grants and other awards from external private and public bodies, including trusts and foundations, and from individuals, to undertake specific projects that interpret heritage and deepen links with the community. In doing so, the Cathedral will seek to work in partnership with such external bodies or individuals.
Fabric - In 2023
The Cathedral celebrates the exceptional quality of its internal and external Grade 1 listed building, together with its fittings and works of art, as a shared heritage for the present day and for future generations.
The Cathedral, through its Chapter, takes responsibility for the upkeep, running and maintenance of the fabric, the grounds and the archaeology of the Cathedral within the Cathedral’s curtilage and the properties in Booth-Clibborn Court, including by means of quinquennial surveys and actions arising therefrom.
The Cathedral runs and manages operational facilities for staff, visitors and volunteers.
The Chapter is advised by the Cathedral Architect, the Cathedral Archaeologist, and the Fabric Advisory Committee.
The Cathedral from time to time undertakes major projects for the enhancement and improvement of the fabric and its functions.
To 2035 -
The Cathedral will upgrade and improve the working and residential accommodation of Cathedral clergy and staff, and will improve its access and facilities through external funding via the NLHF and other external sources.
The Cathedral will implement the redevelopment and refurbishment of the West End and Tower, the Regimental Chapel and the South=East Range, in order to benefit from high quality public access and facilities, community outreach and learning, and far-reaching visitor and interpretative opportunities.
The Cathedral will adopt and implement the conservation strategy in the 2022 Conservation Management Plan for the medium and long-term upkeep and conservation of the fabric.
The Cathedral will enhance and develop its environmentally responsible approach to its fabric and communal life, in line with Our Faith Our City and in collaboration with local transport initiatives, to achieve carbon net zero and Eco Gold Church.
The Cathedral will work with Manchester City Council and other collaborative partners to develop the public realm around the Cathedral and within the Medieval Quarter for the mutual benefit of all the partners and the community.
Development project, Newsletter 5, May 2026
Alongside the Development Project with its plans for internal refurbishment of the West End, the SE Range and the Regimental Chapel, scaffolding is going up on the tower for a separate project to improve and augment the Cathedral’s bells. Led by the Canon Precentor, Revd Dr Ian Jorsyz, the work will involve replacing the ancient and defective timber bell frame with one made of iron and steel, and adding additional bells to augment the Cathedral’s peal to twelve. In addition, a clock chime will be installed, and a competition for the chime composition resulted in a tune by James Nissen based on Ewan MacColl’s ‘The Manchester Rambler’ being named the winner.
The bell project will take place under the overall management of Heritage Conservation Restoration Limited, a firm already well known to the Cathedral for their previous work on repairs to the tower. John Taylor of Loughborough will construct and install the new bell frame, cast and hang three additional treble bells, and put in place sound control mechanisms in the tower.
The project is supported by generous funding from the Julia Rausing Trust and by individuals and organisations across the North West, and further donations to complete the project are warmly welcomed.
The Cathedral’s bells have therefore fallen silent in preparation for their temporary removal from the tower, and the bell ringing team eagerly await their anticipated return to the new configuration in March 2027.
For further information, please contact either the Canon Precentor or Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development.
Development project, Newsletter 5, May 2026
Alongside the Development Project with its plans for internal refurbishment of the West End, the SE Range and the Regimental Chapel, scaffolding is going up on the tower for a separate project to improve and augment the Cathedral’s bells. Led by the Canon Precentor, Revd Dr Ian Jorsyz, the work will involve replacing the ancient and defective timber bell frame with one made of iron and steel, and adding additional bells to augment the Cathedral’s peal to twelve. In addition, a clock chime will be installed, and a competition for the chime composition resulted in a tune by James Nissen based on Ewan MacColl’s ‘The Manchester Rambler’ being named the winner.
The bell project will take place under the overall management of Heritage Conservation Restoration Limited, a firm already well known to the Cathedral for their previous work on repairs to the tower. John Taylor of Loughborough will construct and install the new bell frame, cast and hang three additional treble bells, and put in place sound control mechanisms in the tower.
The project is supported by generous funding from the Julia Rausing Trust and by individuals and organisations across the North West, and further donations to complete the project are warmly welcomed.
The Cathedral’s bells have therefore fallen silent in preparation for their temporary removal from the tower, and the bell ringing team eagerly await their anticipated return to the new configuration in March 2027.
For further information, please contact either the Canon Precentor or Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development.
The Dean and Chapter are delighted to announce that the professional team for the development project has been strengthened by two further appointments. Simpson and Brown of Edinburgh, with their extensive experience of working with cathedrals, have been appointed as project architects. Discussions have been taking place about the designs for the West End, South East Range and Regimental Chapel, to take them to the next level of detail, and we shall ne increasingly seeing them around the Cathedral.
Tenders were also invited and interviews held for the position of quantity surveyor and cost consultant, and it is a pleasure to report that a Manchester firm, Gardiner and Theobald, have been appointed. They too are joining in current discussions to meet the tight deadlines for costing the project and readying it for the Stage 2 submission next year.
Lisa Keys, our activity planner consultant, led a staff meeting in January and another is planned for May, to give updates on progress with the developing Stage 2 Activity Plan and answer questions. A Community Heritage Officer and a Library and Information Apprentice, both of them directly involved in heritage and community building, have also been appointed and will join us shortly.
A second quarterly update meeting in March with the NLHF confirmed that the Cathedral continues to be on track with the master plan programme.
Questions or comments about the project are welcomed and should be sent to Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development.
The Dean and Chapter and the Cathedral’s project board are delighted to announce that the Cathedral has been awarded a Development Phase grant of £571,883 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to support the next stage of the Cathedral’s development project.
The purpose of the grant is to assist the preparation of a Stage 2 bid that will unlock the major funding for the Delivery Phase. This newsletter is intended to let everyone connected with the Cathedral have up to date information on what is happening, and more will follow.
The purposes of the Cathedral’s development project are to make the Cathedral more accessible and more welcoming, to improve the facilities for visitors, staff and volunteers, and to build new and stronger relations with the internal and external communities.
The work will be undertaken in fulfilment of the NLHF four investment principles of saving heritage; protecting the environment; greater inclusion, access and participation; and improved organisational sustainability. We owe grateful thanks to all those who buy Lottery tickets, without whom there would no NLHF funding.
As many people know, the development project has been worked on for years, and has significantly evolved over such a long period. During the Development Phase, however, there will be no visible signs of work in the Cathedral, since the funding for capital expenditure comes at Delivery.
For the next two years, as work on the Stage 2 bid gets under way, there will be pilot projects with the community that will involve staff and volunteers, additional appointments made to enable the planning of the capital works and driving forward the activity plan, and much consultation with all those involved in the life of the Cathedral.
The plan is to submit the Stage 2 bid in the late summer of 2027, so that the capital works can begin in early 2028 and last for up to three years. The ordering of the work is yet to be fully worked out, but the likelihood is that the South-East Range (Champness and Worthington) will be remodelled first, including much improved working conditions for staff, more commercial space, and better safeguarding.
Next will come more modest changes to the Regimental Chapel, primarily about access. Finally the West End will undergo significant alteration, including the means of access through the West Door, publicly available toilets, dedicated space and facilities for volunteers, and community space.
At the conclusion of the project, the Cathedral should be transformed in the facilities it can offer, confident of its future sustainability, and much more embedded with the external community than has ever before been possible.
Any questions or thoughts about the project should initially be directed to Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development at beapartofit@manchestercathedral.org
Two important appointments have been made to the project team.
The first is Cragg Management of Brightton to the crucial role of Project Manager, with responsibility across the capital works and the community engagement programme, especially the completion of the Stage 2 bid by August 2027. Nick Cragg and Andre-Paul Tsogbny will be at the Cathedral for talks with the Dean and familiarisation with the Cathedral on Tuesday 4 November, and would like to be introduced informally to staff and volunteers who may be on duty that day. They will be returning on a regular basis and will also be in contact with members of the Cathedral community when they need information or assistance.
The second is Minerva Heritage to the activity planner consultancy, an appointment that brings Lisa Keys back to the Cathedral for an intensive programme of workshops, consultations and pilot activity events. Many of you already know Lisa and we are delighted to welcome her back for this vital area of work.
All three people will join the Project Board that meets on a regular basis to review and manage the project and which reports directly to the Chapter.
Any questions or thoughts about the project should initially be directed to Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development.
In addition to the posts of Project Manager and Activity Planner Consultant mentioned in Newsletter 2, expressions of interest for a Lead Project Architect and a Quantity Surveyor have been invited on the Cathedral web site. A new position of Community Heritage Officer is also advertised, with interviews planned for February 2026. This post, as the title suggests, is all about forging links with the local community. Other NLHF-related posts will follow in the new year.
The first quarterly NLHF update meeting, at which project officers and postholders review progress, took place last week and was successful. An all-staff meeting with Lisa Keys is planned for late January, for her to meet colleagues and spell out what an activity plan is and how everyone will be involved.in a very full programme. A meeting with volunteers will follow.
As we come to the end of the year, progress on the project has been steady and it is a pleasure to thank everyone across the Cathedral community for their share in this achievement. Any questions or thoughts about the project should be directed to Anthony O’Connor, Director of Fundraising and Development at beapartofit@manchestercathedral.org
The Cathedral receives no regular funding from the government or diocese. We raise funds through our own endeavours and the generosity and support of our visitors and congregation.
