We are asking you to support Ushaw this festive period to help us preserve our stunning chapels for future generations. Ushaw’s chapel complex, designed in the 19th century by AWN Pugin and his descendents, is in need of conservation and safeguarding. These historic Grade II listed spaces are a tangible and beautiful reminder of Ushaw’s place in the faith landscape of the North East. They also house treasures within our collection of international significance, such as Pugin’s Eagle Lectern. Like many historic buildings, a huge amount of work is required to ensure these chapels are cared for and we are embarking on a £40,000 project to make improvements to the chapel roofs.

Ushaw College was a Catholic seminary training priests for over two hundred years. As vocations declined the seminary closed in 2011 and in 2014 it was decided to open Ushaw as a centre for heritage, culture and education for the local community and visitors from around the world. This continued Ushaw’s original purpose and values of learning, inspiration and social justice.

Faith and spirituality remain at the heart of what we do at Ushaw. Mass is celebrated weekly in St Cuthbert’s Chapel. Our mission is to help improve lives through learning and culture, and by creating a welcoming community that is open to all.

We are aiming to raise £40,000 to support the costs of the Chapel roof repairs.

The Oratory Chapel Roof, requires rainwater goods replacing. The Mortuary Chapel Roof needs waterproofing and asphalt replacing.

St Cuthbert’s Chapel, the Lady Chapel and the Charles Borromeo Chapel need ongoing improvements to the roof tiles and guttering. Repairs are required to the roof timbers in St Cuthbert’s antechapel due to dry rot.

If you are able to make a contribution to help us protect this historically and religiously significant complex in our charge we would be incredibly grateful.