The Daily Telegraph reports that St Paul's Cathedral, glorious seat of the Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Bishop of London, has finally been restored.
Three hundred years after it was declared complete by Parliament, St Paul's Cathedral is once more as resplendent as when it was first built.
The London landmark has been covered in scaffolding on at least one aspect for the past 15 years and today marks the end of a £40m restoration to bring both the interior and exterior back to its former glory.
The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, Dean of St Paul’s, said he was "thrilled" with the work: "The two million worshippers, pilgrims and visitors who come to St Paul’s each year can now witness Wren’s original vision,” he said.
Stonemasons used state of the art conservation techniques to restore the blackened stone and windows. Martin Stancliffe, surveyor to the Fabric, who oversaw the restoration project, said the building "probably looks better than at any time since its completion in 1711”.
A service to commemorate the Cathedral's 300th anniversary will be held on June 21.
I'm off to London tomorrow for the 300th Anniversary Service which will be held in the gracious presence of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. The invitation arrived about six weeks ago and advises "ladies may wish to wear hats".
ReplyDeleteWe are off to Fortnum and Mason in the afternoon for tea (every hotel was booked up!) and then back home tomorrow evening.
Wishing you a pleasant trip and memorable Service. Tim
ReplyDelete