Hull Minster exhibits some of the most striking stained glass anywhere in the UK. Much of this stained glass is of Victorian design, and commemorates some of Hull's most important public figures, from philanthropists, to doctors, to the sons and daughters killed in war.

The stained glass of Hull Minster has seen a lot; most especially, it withstood the destruction levied on Hull during the Second World War. Hull was one of the most bombed cities in Britain outside of London, but despite the devastation caused to the city around it, by some miracle, Hull Minster was never hit. More amazingly still, not a single stained glass window was blown out, despite the constant bombing.

On Sunday 22nd February, a rugby ball smashed through our main West Window, causing more damage to the Minster than 6 years of the Luftwaffe.

The stained glass throughout Hull Minster was assessed by the York Glaziers Trust (YGT) at the beginning of this year. 2 of our windows, including the West Window, were considered high priority, and require immediate attention. 3 more windows require repairs within the next 2-3 years, and a further 7 windows will need repairing within the next 5 years, according to the YGT. This would be a major undertaking, totalling £30'000, not including access costs.

Hull Minster, and its stained glass, remains a rare symbol of continuity in the city of Hull, which has seen much devastation and upheaval throughout its long history. The Minster, over 600 years old, is Hull's most historic building, and we hope to conserve the memories of these people memorialized in our stained glass for centuries to come.

But restoring our windows is about much more than saving our heritage: it would also contribute significantly to lowering our running costs as a church, especially in the colder months of the year, as the broken and bowing windows let heat escape the Minster. The restoration of our windows therefore also means a step towards self-sustainability and the future financial stability of the Minster.

(above: While not amongst our stained glass windows, the repair of these windows on the north side of the nave will contribute heavily to cutting down the running costs of the church.)

In recent weeks, Hull Minster has been approached by anonymous benefactors, who have offered a significant boost to the appeal. They have pledged to match every pound donated between now and the completion of the West Window repairs, up to a total of £15,000.

This means that every public donation made to the appeal during this period will effectively be doubled.

The funds will be used to enact the repairs suggested to us by the York Glaziers Trust, starting with the West Window which is the highest priority, and then in order of priority across the church, including the large East Window, many of the choir windows, and the two stained glass Harbord Windows in the North Transept. Not only will these funds help maintain our windows, it will also cut down on running costs for the Minster in the long-term, as the damaged windows are currently letting much of the Minster's heat out, and much of the cold in!

(above: the East Window, the largest in Hull Minster, which is broken in 17 different places according to the York Glazier's Trust, possibly due to an air rifle)

Thank you so much for reading into our cause, and we hope to welcome you to Hull Minster soon.