2023-12-31-annual-report

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH OF IRELAND CATHEDRAL, ARMAGH Trustees, Annual Report, Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31 December 2023 Charity Number: NIC104194

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH OF IRELAND CATHEDRAL, ARMAGH Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 Contents Pages References and administrative details of the Charity Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees 10 Receipts and Payments Account Statements of assets and liabilities 12 Notes to the Financial Statements 13-16

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH OF IRELAND CATHEDRAL, ARMAGH References and administrative details Charity Name: St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh Charity Registration Number: NIC104194 Contact Office.. Library House, 43 Abbey Street, Armagh, BT617DY. Trustees: The Dean and Chapter, and the Succentor: Very Revd T.S. Forster, Revd Canon R.J,N. Porteus, Revd Canon W.J.A. Dawson (retired December 2023), Revd Canon W.M. Adair. Ven T. Scott (retired January 2023), Ven Dr P.A. Thompson (change of title from February 2023), Ven D.E. Cairns. Revd Canon J. Moore (retired March 2023) Revd Canon D. Hilliard, Revd Canon W.B. Paine, and Revd Canon M.H. Hagan (from April 2023). Diocesan Representatives,. Mrs M. Caldwell, Mr R.B. Hannam, Mr R.A. Speers, Mr. T Morrow and Mr A. Williamson. Congregational Representatives.. Mrs D. Ballantine (resigned March 2023), Ms C. Conlin, Mr D Hamilton, Mr E. Marshall, Dr D. Reaney, Dr P. Reaney, Dr S. Day (elected March 2023). Congregational Representatives (Ex Officio): Mrs O Jones and Mrs F Creaney Principal Office-bearers: Clergy.. Secretary to the Cathedral Board: Very Revd T.S. Forster Mrs D. Ballantine (resigned March 2023) Ms C. Conlin (from March 2023) Treasurer to the Cathedral Board.. Mr E. Marshall Independent Auditors: WHR Accountants Limited, Wm Courtney & Co., 26 The Square, Moy, DUNGANNON, Co, Tyrone, BT717SG. Bankers: Danske Bank, Donegal Square West. Belfast, BT16JS.

Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 The Trustees present the Annual Report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of the Cathedral the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion. the Cathedral has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Board of the Cathedral. Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit Purpose 1 The Advancement of the Christlan Religion The Cathedral exists primarily. and above all else, as a place of Christian worship. Services of public worship are held on Sundays throughout the year, as follows.. 10.00 a.m. The Holy Communion - in traditional language 11.00 a.m. Choral Eucharist and sermon - in contemporary language 3.15 p.m. Choral Evensong - in traditional language Choral services are replaced with a said liturgy when the Cathedral choir is on holiday. The Holy Communion is celebrated on Wednesdays, Saints, Days and other Christian festivals. In Holy Week (the week before Easter), lunch-time services are held Monday- Thursday, including an address, to focus on the central mystery of the Christian faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus, at a time chosen to include others from beyond the usual congregation. The Cathedral has no parish, and so no 'resident' members. In the terminology of the Church of Ireland, the members of its regular congregations are all 'accustomed' to worship in it. As it is not a parish, it records only the numbers of communicants at the Holy Communion, not of worshippers at all services. The Cathedral, the Diocese and the wider Church As the 'mother church, of the Diocese of Armagh, the Cathedral has an important role in bringing together for worship members of the Church of Ireland community scattered across parishes from Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry to Drogheda, Co. Louth. Ecumenical and Cross-community Activities As one of two cathedrals dedicated to St Patrick in the City of Armagh, the Cathedral, through its services, plays an important role in ecumenical and cross-community relations.

The Cathedral has two Ecumenical Canons, appointed by the Archbishop for a five-year term (which may be renewed). Ecumenical Canons are members of the Cathedral Chapter, and attend its meetings, but are not members of the Cathedral Board. They are included with the other canons of the Cathedral on the preaching rota, doing so twice a year, They are Dom Mark-Ephrem Nolan, OSB, Abbot of Holy Cross Abbey, Rostrevor, appointed in 2012, and the Revd Dr Heather Morris, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland, appointed during 2022. As an aspect of its ecumenical outreach, the Cathedral is joined with the Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Armagh Cathedrals Partnership. This is chaired by the Administrator of the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Dean of this Cathedral. The Partnership's activities in 2023 included two community events in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. as part of the St Patrick's Festival and then again during Advent, also an outing to Belfast, in June. The Cathedral and the Wider Community The Cathedral regularly arranges and hosts special services to mark significant events in the life and history of organizations serving the community. Such services are held on request. Services for community organizations are recognized as important by the Cathedral, as affirrning their contribution to the community in Amiagh and more widely in Northern Ireland. Wherever possible, care is taken to ensure that they are ecumenically inclusive. In May 2023, just two weeks after the Coronation Service, Their Majesties The King and Queen visited Armagh. The King attended a special service in the Cathedral of "Prayers and Blessing" and had the opportunity to meet Church Leaders and community representatives. Both The King and Queen then met with children from local schools as they walked through the Cathedral grounds before proceeding to a civic event in the Market Square. The Cathedral Choir The Cathedral choir. of boys and men, all volunteers, plays a key part in the worship of the Cathedral. It is, however, legally the Archbishop's choir, supported with its own funds vested with the Representative Church Body in Dublin, and is not under the supervision of the Cathedral Board. The Organist and Master of the Choristers is the Archbishop's appointment. In recognition of the importance of the choir to the Cathedral's worship, the Cathedral Board supports the Archbishop's Choir Fund with the sum of £2,000 annually. The Cathedral Board is responsible for the operation in the Cathedral of Safeguarding Trust- the Church of Ireland Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children. In connection with the choir. the Cathedral maintains a supervision rota of choir parents, all of whom have undergone a formal application process. and for whom a Disclosure Certificate has been obtained from Access Nl. The supervision rota ensures that there is always at least one additional authorized adult present at all rehearsals, services, and social activities involving the choir. The supervising adult keeps the roll of boys attending and is available in case of need. There are no other young people's organizations based at the Cathedral. For the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults, all staff and volunteers involved in the life of the Cathedral, have been the subject of a criminal record check by Access Nl (or its predecessor organisation).

The Armagh Diocesan Singers To add to the musical resources of the Cathedral, an adult voluntary choir of men and women sings underthe direction of the Venerable Dr PeterThompson, Assistant Organist. Its members are drawn from across the Diocese and from further afield. The Singers have their own robes. and sing Evensong at approximately monthly intervals, including occasions such as the half-term holiday when the Cathedral Choir is not available. Worship and Pastoral Care The Cathedral may be chosen by members of the congregation, or others with a connection to it, to mark significant events in their family life. In the course of 2023, the following took place: Christian Baptism: 2 Holy Matrimony: 1 Christian Burial: 5 Pastoral care of those associated with the Cathedral is undertaken by the Dean and clergy associated with the Cathedral. Accommodation for the Dean In 1924, the Deanery of the Cathedral and the Keepership of Armagh Robinson Library (formerly Armagh Public Library) were combined as one appointment. Since then the Dean, as Keeper, has lived in the accommodation provided in the Library. In September 2018, a Co-ordinating group. with membership from the Diocesan Council of Armagh and the Cathedral Board was put in place to explore the future provision of accommodation for the Dean if finances became available for the Library to expand into the residential part of the Library. By the end of 2022, £78,156.84 had been donated to a special Deanery Appeal to provide future accommodation for the Dean of the Cathedral if the Library expansion project is successful. The current Dean and his family live in the Library Residence and this is to be reviewed in two years, time. Purpose 2 Access to Heritage The Cathedral stands on the reputed site of St Patrick's first Church in Armagh, built in AD 445. The present Cathedral dates in its structure from 1268. Much altered and many times restored since then, the present appearance of the Cathedral dates from a major restoration between 1834 and 1839. with extensive alterations to the choir and sanctuary between 1900 and 1913. The last major renovation and updating of the Cathedral was carried out in the 1990s. Herltage Generally Apart from its architecture and ambience, the Cathedral is notable for its heritage and interest to visitors for the following: A fine collection of funerary monuments, many by the leading sculptors of their day, dating from the 17 to the 20th centuries,, some good nineteenth and twentieth century stained glass windows., the shaft of the 10 -century Armagh market cross, that once stood in Market Street to the east of the Cathedral. The Royal Irish Fusiliers, Memorial Chapel. a collection of pre- Christian 'heads', mostly in granite, and including the so-called 'Tandragee Man,. most of which are in the Crypt. the seventeenth-century Chair of Archbishop Bramhall. with his arms and date (1661). with a contemporary chair of secular origin beside it. The Crypt, is the only part of the Cathedral of 1268 still in something like its original condition, and is the burial place of former archbishops and of landed families.

By the employment of a Cathedral Steward (full-time April-september. part-time October-march), by the provision of visitor information, by provision for guided tours, and by taking part in special events, the Cathedral makes this heritage available to the public. The Cathedral is rated as a 'four-star' visitor attraction by tourism Nl. This accreditation was renewed in 2018. For reasons of safety, no public access is permitted to the Cathedral tower, on account of an extremely narrow, steep and uneven medieval stairway in the thickness of the wall. Access to the Cathedral Crypt, opened as an additional visitor resource in 2012, is possible only with a member of the Cathedral staff. The Crypt is reached only by one external door, which for reasons of safety must be kept locked. The Cathedral also manages public access to the Cathedral Gardens, maintained by Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, opening and closing the entrance from the Cathedral grounds at the same times as those for the Cathedral itself. Visitors in General The Cathedral is normally open daily throughout the year, 9.30 a.m. (closed Tuesdays) and 9.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. April - September. 1.30 p.m. October- March A charge is made for admission to the Cathedral as follows.. Adults: Concession: Children: Groups of 1-24: Groups of 25 or more: £4.00 1 É4.60 £3.50 1 £4.00 Free £4.00 1 É4.60 £3.50 1 É4.00 The published justification for charges is as follows.. "It costs in excess of £250 per day (£90,000 per year) to run the Cathedral, with no support from public funds. Conservation of its fabric is an additional and on-going expense." There is no admission charge for those attending services. Education and Tours The Cathedral offers guided tours to pre-arranged group tours. community organizations, history societies etc. Groups tend to be of two kinds: 'Religious' tours (mainly), concentrating on Armagh's two cathedrals as part of longer day's itinerary. 2. Groups availing of a 'Morning on the Hill,. The latter is a programme run jointly with Armagh Robinson Library and its Registry Museum at No 5 Vicars, Hill. This programme is designed to appeal both to adults and to children in school visits. Guiding and interpretation is 'pitched' accordingly. Tours are booked through the Administration Officer of Annagh Robinson Library, which provides administrative support to the Cathedral (for which it is remunerated). Adult groups are normally charged £3.00 per head for each of the three sites. No charge is made for children. Tours are conducted by the Cathedral Steward, or on occasion by the Dean.

As children are admitted to the Cathedral without charge, the Armagh Diocesan Board of Education made a grant to the Cathedral in 2021 of £2,750 in support of its schools, education programme. The Cathedral also provides, free-of-charge, a specially produced children's guide to the Cathedral. For all visitors, the Cathedral provides a self-guiding leaflet which is available in multiple languages alongside the English version and Braille. Within the south aisle of the Cathedral, and adjacent to the west door, the Friends of Armagh Cathedral (NIC100129) provide a small shop for the use of visitors. This also serves as the point where admission charges are received. It is staffed by the Cathedral Steward or Cathedral volunteers. Muslc The Cathedral has excellent acoustic properties. It also has one of the finest organs in Northern Ireland, and one particularly well-adapted to the Cathedral's size and acoustic. The Cathedral has an entertainments Licence, granted by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, for musical or theatrical performances on up to fourteen unspecified days in the year. This allows some outside organizations who use the Cathedral for concerts to charge for admission. The annual Charles Wood Festival was hosted by the Cathedral in August 2023. other Concerts In a normal year, when the Cathedral is used by external organizations, there is a charge from £250.00, plus £100.00 for heat and £50.00 for after-hours staffing (when required). Public Safety For the safety of the Cathedral and its uses, the Cathedral Board maintains the following systems under annual contract: Lightning Protection. Fire Detectors (including a 'Vesda' air-sampling system in the Cathedral roof- space); Emergency Lighting; Fire Extinguishers. Intruder Alarm. In the Cathedral Music Hall, the Board is responsible for maintaining Fire Detectors and Emergency Lighting systems, and fire extinguishers. The Cathedral's electrical wiring is checked and certified on a three-year cycle, as required for its Entertainments Licence. The Cathedral Board is also responsible for the tuning and keeping-in-repair of the Cathedral Organ and Music Hall piano. The Cathedral Board maintains procedures to deal with hazardous conditions created by snow and ice and storm conditions. The Cathedral's patterns of use, extensive grounds, and openinglclosing procedures make for complexity in the assessment and treatment of risk. Written procedures are in place and are adhered to.

Flnancial Overview No major development or refurbishment works were undertaken during the year. After meeting day- to-day costs and minor one-off commitments unrestricted receipts exceeded payments by almost £30.8k. The major element giving rise to this uplift was receipt in-year of a grant of £21.8k fully funding the upgrading of audiolvisual facilities in the Cathedral, £18.8k of which were completed and paid for the previous year. Other significant contributors were net increases of £6.1 k in donations and £2.5k in visitorltourist revenue. The deficit of £0.4k in restricted receipts related principally to a recall of prior-year donations lo the Deanery Sub Account. The Board acknowledge the generous support of the Cathedral congregation, Friends, and Funders over the year and look fO￿ard to their continued support in future years. Thanks are also extended to Mr. Stephen Leighton, the Diocesan Architect, for his professional input during the year. Going Concern The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Cathedral can continue its activities and the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023 Unresliicled Funds 2023 Reslricled Endowment Funds Funds 2023 2023 Total 2023 Total 2022 £s Note Recel ts Donations and plate collections Toursladmission charges Fees and charges Legacies Investment income Grants Other 80,091.56 10,714.10 6,282.00 1,000.00 8.290.10 29,084.80 3,924.75 13,225.14 93,316.70 10,714.10 6,282.00 1,000.00 8,290.10 35,965.33 3,924.75 85,615.39 8,187.88 5.117.00 15,000.00 11,699.78 16,652.20 2,886.80 6,880.53 Total Recelpts 139,387.31 20,105.67 159,492.98 145,159.05 ments Wages Diocesan costs Adminislralive costs Church running costs Music Hall running costs Charitable donations Other 27,409.67 12,315.20 9,807.28 45,618.24 3,963.85 4,200.00 5,283.15 2,750.00 30,159.67 12,315.20 9,874.43 48,596.64 3,963.85 17,262.64 6,929.28 21,021.71 14,623.55 10,552.64 60,832.15 7,137.83 13,488.06 5,568.73 67.15 2,978.40 13,062.64 1,646.13 Total Payments 108,597.39 20,504.32 129,101.71 133,222.67 Excessldeflcit of Receipts over Payments for the year before transfers 30,789.92 .398.65 30,391.27 Transfers Ex¢essldeficit of Receipts over Payments for the year 30,789.92 -398.65 30,391.27 Signed on behalf of the Trustees Date li

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2023 Unrestricted Funds 2023 Restiicled Endowm8nl Funds Funds 2023 2023 £s £s Total 2023 Total 2022 Cash Funds Current Accounts Total Cash Funds 102,163.71 102,163.71 32,156.32 32,156.32 134,320.03 134,320.03 130,928.76 130,928.76 Investment Assets M&G Unit Trusts NICIFC Unil Trusts RCB Unil Trusts Total Investment Assets lat costl 23,000.00 19,100.00 56,464.27 350.00 50,835.04 107,649.31 98,564.27 350.00 131,835.04 230,749.31 98,564.27 350.00 104,835.04 203,749.31 15,000.00 38,000.00 66,000.00 85,100.00 Assets retained for the Board's own use Fixtures and fittings (Music Hall) Total assèts retained for the Board's own use 62,000.00 62,000.00 44,500.00 62,000.00 62,000.00 44,500.00 Signed on behalf of the Trustees Dale o.Lfr../10 /20>+ 12

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 1. Accounting policies Sel out below are the principal accounting policies which have been adopted in the compilation of the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. (al Recelpts and Payments Account All items of income and expenditure included within the Receipts and Payments Account have been accounted on a cash receipts basis Ib) Statement of Assets and Liabilities li) Assets retained for the Cathedral's own use The assets of the Cathedral, retained for ils own use comprise... Cathedral Building and Churchyard Fixtures and fillings (Music Hall) The Cathedral Building and Churchyard are deemed to be Heritage assets as defined by the Charities SORP {FRS1021. These Herilage assets are not included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as infomiation on the cost or valuation is not available and such infomialion cannot be obtained at a cost commensurate with the benefit to the users of the accounts and lo the Cathedral. Only the fixtures and fittings in the Music Hall are considered as assets of the Cathedral Board. The landlord of the building is the Diocesan Properties Committee and is provided rent free for the sole use of the Cathedral. Fixtures and fittings are recognised on a cost of renewal basis. {ii) Investments Fixed asset investments comprising investments in RCB, NICIFC and M&G Unit Trusts are recorded al cost with capital gains or losses reflected in the accounts as and when such assets are redeemed. The market value of investments al 31 December 2023 is estimated al £390 k. 2. Reconciliation of Cash Funds Total Cash Funds at beginning of the year Receipts for the year Payments for the year Investment of funds Total Cash Funds al end of the year £130,928.76 £158,492.98 -£128,101.71 -£27,000.00 £134,320.03 13

1. Movement of Funds Al 01 Jan 2023 £s Incoming Resources Outgoing Resources Al 31 Dec 2023 Transfers Endowment Funds Historical bequests and legaaes 106,649.31 106,649.31 9,290.10 9,290.10 -8,290.10 107,649.31 -8,290.10 107,649.31 Restricted Funds Current Sub Account.. a. Collections for third parties b. Cathedral Schools, Education Prog. c. Specific grants Development Sub Account.. Donations towards Iransepi window rapairs Deanery Sub Account Organ Fund Flower Fund 0.00 0.00 o.oo 13,062.64 2,750. 00 4,130.53 -13,062.64 -2,750.00 4,130.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 3,151.06 78,504.95 35,200.00 798.96 117,654.97 3,151.06 78,156.84 35,300.00 648.42 117,256.32 -348.11 1QO.00 62.50 20,105.67 -213.04 .20,504.32 Unrestrided Funds Curronl Main Account Development Main Account 38,856.01 71,517.78 110,373.79 120,220.21 9,877.00 130,097.21 -108.566.59 -30.80 .108,597.39 8,290.10 58,799.73 81,363.98 140,163.71 8,290.10 Total Funds 334,678.07 159,492.98 -129,101,71 0.00 365,069.34 Pur ses of Endowment Fund To provide income for use at the discretion of the Cathedral Board including upkeep of churchyard Pur oses of Restricted Funds Current Sub Account- As stated in table above Development Sub Account - As stated in table above Deanery Sub Account- To provide future accommodation for the Dean of the Cathedral Organ Fund - To make provision for repairs lo the Cathedral organ Flower Fund - To provide flowers for display during seNices of worship

2. Donations and plate collections 2023 £s 62,993.46 23,023,27 7,299.97 93,316.70 2022 £s 58,685.55 23,015.17 3,914.67 85,615.39 Weekly and annual freewill offerings {including Gift Aid) Ordinary and special collections lincluding Gift Aid) Other gifts and donations (including Gift Aid) 14

3. Grants 2023 £s 9,652.00 2,750.00 1,152.13 600.00 21,811.20 2022 Benefact Tnjst Ltd. Ifor use at the discretion of the Cathedral 8oardl Diocesan Board of Education (Cathedral Schools, Education Programme) Grand Council of Knight Masons Power Nl Energy Bills Support Scheme RCB Church Fabric & Development Fund Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (Cathedral fabiFC repairs) RCB (one-off Covid Support Grant) 11,031.00 2,500.00 1,611.20 1,510.00 16,652.20 35,965.33

4. Administrative costs 2023 £s 5,413.00 3,766.13 695.30 9,874.43 2022 £s 4,974.41 4,884.26 693.97 10,552.64 Administrative assistance Slalionary, printing, postage and etc. Bank and audit fees
5. Church running costs 2023 £s 16,297.11 15,096.81 10,391.09 6,811.63 48,596.64 2022 Heat, light, water and sewage serVI￿S Fabric and equipment maintenance Ground maintenance Insurances 17,696.51 32,768.94 4,050.00 6,316.70 60,832.15
6. Music Hall runnlng costs 2023 £s 2,520.93 1,410.75 32.17 3,963.85 2022 £s 1,992.06 5.115.94 29.83 7,137.83 Heal, light, water and sewage services Fabric and equipment maintenance Insurances
7. Charitsble Donations 2023 £s 5,938.54 11,324.10 17,262.64 2022 Diocesan Funds and Bodies Missions and extemal Funds and Bodies 3,526.44 9,959.62 13,486.06 The above amounts have been included in Receipts for the Year under"Donations" and in Payments under'charitsble Donations. 15

10, Transactions with the Trustees The Board reimbursed £755.04 to one trustee in respect of minor running cost expenses incurred for and behalf of the Board during the year. Apart from the aforementioned no trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year. 11, Governance Costs. Govemance costs of £360.00 were incurred during the year all of which relates to fees paid lo the independent examiner. Govemance costs are included within "Administration Costs. in the Receipts and Payments Accounts. 16