St Mary’s Aisle – Truro Cathedral

A cherished reminder of Truro Cathedral’s past has been brought back into use for prayer and worship after a 12-month project of renewal.

St Mary’s Aisle has finally been unveiled and re-opened

The newly renovated St Mary’s Aisle has finally been unveiled and re-opened with a rededication service and a celebration.

The extensive renovation project started in May 2023 and spanned a year, during which the Aisle, which also serves as a parish church, had to be closed to the public.

The Rt Revd Graham James (honorary Assistant Bishop of Truro and former Bishop of Norwich) and the Dean of Truro, the Very Revd Simon Robinson (and Rector of St Mary’s Parish, Truro) led the rededication service.

Cathedral volunteer Roselle Baker cut the ribbon at the celebration event that included music and family activities and was witnessed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Truro.

Dean Simon said:

“Both events were great fun and affirmed the significance and importance of St Mary’s Aisle in the lives of so many Cornish families. 

“It was very special to have a service of rededication and to learn of Bishop Graham James’ deep connection with Cornwall and St Mary’s Aisle, and it was very good to welcome funders and so many families to our second event.

“I look forward to the continued use of St Mary’s Aisle as a place of prayer, worship, activities and events for the very many people who love and visit Truro Cathedral.”

St Mary’s Aisle is one aisle of the 16th-century parish church of St Mary that was incorporated into the much more recent Truro Cathedral – a cherished reminder of old Truro – and a testament to Victorian engineering prowess and the architectural ingenuity of John Loughborough Pearson.

Time had taken its toll on St Mary’s Aisle. The weather-beaten roof and deteriorating stonework demanded urgent attention. Thanks to the meticulous efforts of all the specialists involved in the project, who re-slated the roof, repaired the parquet floor and restored the stained-glass windows, St Mary’s Aisle now stands rejuvenated for worship, family events and other activities.

The work was made possible by a funding package that included donations from local people, gifts in Wills and grants awarded by charitable trusts and foundations including the Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Dulverton Trust, Bernard Sunley Foundation, Cornwall Historic Churches Trust, the Benefact Trust and the Friends of Truro Cathedral.

The project also received £112,410 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Judith Field, Fundraising Lead for Truro Cathedral, said:

“I have always felt that St Mary’s Aisle is a wonderful place. It has been much missed during the repair and refurbishment works, and my heartfelt thanks go to every individual and organisation whose generosity has made this restoration project possible.”