Worship Down at Wood Street ‘nick’

The former Wood Street Police Station is to be used for morning worship as work continues on a multi-million pound restoration project at the city’s cathedral.
5th April 2007.
 Wakefield Wood Street Police Station.5th April 2007.
 Wakefield Wood Street Police Station.
5th April 2007. Wakefield Wood Street Police Station.

Cathedral chiefs have taken a lease out on the vacant police station and have created a chapel there to hold daily 8.15am services.

Work will start on Monday on the £2.5m Project 2015 to renew the east end of the cathedral, following on from last year’s £3m refurbishment of the nave.

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The nave will remain open, but the small chapel and the choir area at the back of the Grade 1 listed building will be closed for ten months.

Wood Street Police Station was closed last September when Wakefield Police moved to a new purpose built headquarters in Normanton.

Wakefield Council has bought the former station and hopes to transform it into a luxury hotel.

Dean of Wakefield, The Very Rev Jonathan Greener, said: “We are grateful for the support from Wakefield Council who are helping us during this time.

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“We thought this was a wonderful opportunity to open up our services to those that might be passing and fancy some spiritual nourishment before they start their day. Anyone can drop in.”

Cathedral chiefs have secured a £1.8m grant towards the cost of Project 2015 but still need to raise £200,000 towards the work. They are looking for sponsors, fund raisers and donations towards the work, which is expected to be finished by next April. Project 2015 will involve new lighting, underfloor heating and a renewed St Mark’s Chapel. There will also be a dedicated exhibition space.

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