Chester Cathedral is expected to take delivery of its new Pilgrim Porch in the next couple of weeks.
The Dean of Chester has described the bronze and stainless-steel porch as a "thing of beauty", saying: "I was delighted to see the bronze and stainless-steel porch now nearly fully constructed at the fabricators in Ulverston last week. It is a thing of beauty and will make a significant difference to the interior appearance of our West Doors as well as enable us to make the Cathedral appear more open to St Werburgh Street and Town Hall Square. There are still a few issues to work out including the logistics of transportation and installation, which is no mean feat for a 4½-ton doorway. We are also waiting on final agreement of the glass design. Fingers crossed that this can all be completed before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Service here on Thursday 2 June."
All parish churches were invited to contribute an image from their church for the final porch design. Each one will be permanently encapsulated into the glass artwork capturing a snapshot of worshipping life across the Diocese of Chester in 2022.
The finished installation will be a sculptural bronze porch with ceremonial glass doors positioned at the west end of the Cathedral. It will be unveiled later this year as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Writing to parishes in the Diocese of Chester earlier this year, the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner said: "It is relatively rare that an artist is commissioned to create a new permanent fixture for the interior of a medieval Cathedral. Even more special, though, is that such a project can mark and celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of a reigning monarch. We hope that this project will be a fitting tribute to the remarkable reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and a permanent enhancement to the fabric of our Cathedral."
The project has been supported by private funders and the Friends of Chester Cathedral.
