York Minster

Celebrating Founding Fathers

Published Friday 7th October 2005 by Eleanor Course

A special service to celebrate the Founders and Benefactors of York Minster will be celebrated on Friday 14 October at 5.30pm. This service will honour and commemorate donors ancient and modern: those people who gave money and gifts to build the Minster, and those people who have ensured it remains standing over the centuries.  Everyone is welcome to attend this service.

Director of Development at the Minster, Dr Richard Shephard said, “The vast amount of heraldry prominently displayed around the Minster tells us who gave sums for the construction and beautification of the building. These medieval worthies and their descendants have tended to be overlooked as the centuries have progressed, but they are part of an on-going chain of donors to York Minster.

“We want to express our gratitude to those who, in the past, have given generously to York Minster. We also seek to recognise those, who in our own day, are carrying out the work of supporting this great building in a variety of ways.”

The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones said, "We are particularly pleased to be able to honour publicly four people who have made substantial donations to York Minster over the last few years: Duncan Davidson, Michael Dawson, George Moore and John White.

“These four become the first members of the Court of Benefactors, an informal group which we hope will meet from time to time. At the Commemoration Service the members of the Court will process to seats of honour in the Nave Sanctuary. "

The Dean and Chapter of York are currently running a Campaign to raise £30 million.  The focus of this Campaign is to fund the restoration of the East Front of the Minster, the centerpiece of which is the Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.  The medieval glass and stonework of the East Front are badly in need of restoration and structural repair.

Anyone wanting to help keep York Minster in its full glory can send a cheque, made payable to ‘York Minster Fund’ to The Development Office, Church House, Ogleforth, York, Y01 7JN.