Nostalgia: Utter devastation of Chichester Cathedral spire
“Following what must be described as many years of neglect, the restoration of the cathedral was started in earnest by Dean George Chandler during the 1840s,” reads the explanation on the cathedral’s website.
“His successor, Dean Walter Farquar Hook, had to deal with a major setback to the restoration programme when the spire collapsed in 1861: the spire we see today is Sir George Gilbert Scott’s restoration.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“During the past 30 years, a great deal has been done to ensure the structure of the cathedral is in good order.
“The interior stonework has recently been thoroughly cleaned, the ceilings restored and their beauty enhanced by the installation of up-lighting, a gift by the Friends of the Cathedral. However, important restoration work remains to be carried out.”
Our picture shows the spire foundation stone, which was laid in 1865 (though this photo was taken in the 1970) and Chichester Cathedral, looking northeast, after the fall of the tower and spire in 1861.