After a lot of speculation over its future, the news came through this week that Guildford Cathedral may not be closed. After a number of months in which it looked like the newest Anglican cathedral in England would have to be shut down over money worries, a possible reprieve is good news for the congregation
But others are still convinced the cathedral should be closed. The costliness of maintaining it has made it a target.
Guildford, with its modernist style, unloved by architectural buffs and some locals, was an easy target, especially when a huge project to remove asbestos was needed.
Yet many more cathedrals are facing serious financial difficulties. Earlier this month, it was reported that up to half of the Church of England's 42 cathedral churches may be in serious money trouble, with some even facing closure.
Those reports were described as 'erroneous' by one senior figure in the Church, but what is clear is that there are significant difficulties facing some of our most historic and important Church buildings.
At this point there are three types of people who say, 'let them go'.
One group are those who dislike the aesthetics of a certain cathedral – Guildford being a particular example. The second group are those who think the money spent keeping cathedrals running is too much and it should be put into other missional efforts instead (how many café churches could be set up for the £1.17 million it costs to run Guildford per year?) A third group is made up of those who never had any time for monumental churches in the first place. Content to meet God in much humbler surroundings, they don't see the point in throwing money into supporting cathedrals on such a vast scale.
I think all three groups have good points. I also think, ultimately, they're wrong. There are three reasons we should be fighting to keep cathedrals open and thriving.
1. Symbolism
Even though the aesthetics of Guildford are debated, there's no doubting its prominence. On a hill and visible from miles around, it typifies the beacon-like prominence of many of our cathedrals.
They often sit proudly at the heart of the city which contains them – a very concrete (stone?) example of the Church being at the heart of the community. Some cathedrals are in small places (Southwell Minster, Ely, Wells) but the majority are in the heart of teaming urban centres.
What would we be saying as a Church if we were to abandon these prominent locations? By surrendering these spaces, we'd essentially be indicating that the Church is in full-on retreat and that we Christians were heading for the hills.
2. Practicality
In a related point, the location of cathedrals is vital to the service they provide. Over the last few months, I've spoken at events at Norwich, Sheffield and Lichfield Cathedrals and been impressed with the welcome provided.
In each case, the cathedral is in the city centre with its doors open, ready to welcome tourists and local people alike. With such excellent locations for worship and service to the local community, we would have to think seriously about the wisdom of giving up these historic inheritances.
3. Faith
The church has to be sensible about finances. There is no sense in pouring money down the drain. But this is a chance for us to show faith. When I step off the train in my home town of Bolton a large church is the first thing I see when exiting the station. It's been closed since the mid '80s and it's a sad site to see it turned into flats. Similarly when I walk my local high street in east London, the closed churches turned into apartments speak of decisions made in a time of decline.
Though we must be careful with our money, what better way to show faith than to keep these buildings open and plan for the future?
None of this is to say that these decisions are easy. The Church is ultimately about the people and not the building. If the building has to go, then it has to go. We need to be as wise as serpents when deciding what to do about the funding problems cathedrals are experiencing.
But before writing off cathedrals around the country, we should have exhausted every option for creative use. Partnerships with businesses, entrepreneurs, creative industries and artists will be part of the answer.
These vast monuments to the glory of God have been central to our cities for generations. Today in 1220 the cathedral in Salisbury was begun. That's a lot of history. Let's not throw it away. There are few experiences to match the sights and sounds of a cathedral in full flow. Walk into the magnificent Liverpool Cathedral, the grandeur of St Pauls or the more humble beauty of Carlisle and you may well have your breath taken away. Let's hope many future generations can say the same.
Follow Andy Walton on Twitter @waltonandy
