Cathedral in UK’s smallest city ‘could go bust’ – 845 years old

An 845-year-old cathedral in the UK’s smallest city could go bust, it is feared. St Davids in Wales could face insolvency within two years, a new report suggested. The analysis commissioned by Dorrien Davies, the Anglican Bishop of St Davids, stated that the financial situation of the Grade I listed building – which is visited by 300,000 people a year – is unsustainable. It had “unrestricted deficits” that had “persisted for seven years”, he added, which have ensured that the cathedral’s reserves are “dangerously low”. The bishop also noted that there had been less diocesan support, and St Davids’ relationship with the community is distant.

In addition, a shortage of volunteers has placed “increasing strain on daily operations”, with staff often forced to cover multiple roles. The bishop wrote: “It is important to stress that this report was compiled to assist and enable, not to criticise for its own sake. It aims to identify where encouragement, renewal and strengthening are needed so that ministry may flourish more fully.

“No cathedral – particularly one of such age, complexity and prominence – is without challenge. The Visitation [report] should therefore be understood as a shared opportunity for growth, rooted in faith, responsibility and hope.”

A spokesperson for the Church in Wales said: “It would be a mistake to fail to perceive the fact that positive developments have already resulted from this visit and that the report appreciates what is already happening.

“Therefore, this visit is offered as an act of encouragement – as an invitation to renew, to cooperate more deeply and to respond with faithful courage.”

Councillor Malcolm Gray of St Davids City Council told the BBC that the community is “very concerned” about the situation.

“Some are not surprised but a lot are and are quite worried about it really,” he said.

“It would be a disaster for this part of the world.”

He called the cathedral “the jewel in the crown of Pembrokeshire”.

The Association of British Cathedrals highlighted a new report, Living Stones: English Cathedrals as Sacred Spaces in Changing Times, last month.

The Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, Chairs of the AEC, said: “Cathedrals remain vital community anchors—integral to the diversity of life in the dioceses they serve and essential places of gathering.

“While cathedrals sustain the rhythm of daily worship, at the heart of which is the English Choral Tradition, they also open their doors to pilgrims and visitors of all faiths and none: the spiritually curious, heritage seekers, those with questions, and those who need someone to walk alongside them through grief or celebration.

“Cathedrals have something to offer everyone who crosses the threshold, providing a place where communities can meet, connect and belong.

“Conserving these Grade I listed buildings, and keeping them open, safe, warm and welcoming brings constant financial pressure—one we must address together. A demonstration of the urgency is seen in the fact that nearly three quarters of cathedrals are experiencing operational deficits at this time.

“With no government support—and the fact that the Church Commissioners do not have the ability to fund fabric work—the structural funding gap for repairs and maintenance of these national treasures is becoming an ever-greater burden.”