Help complete Durham Cathedral in LEGO
Posted by Huw,
For the last three years a LEGO replica of Durham Cathedral has been under construction at the site and there are now just a couple of weeks left to complete the build.
When complete, the model will stand 1.7m tall, 3.84m long and 1.53m wide with 300,000 bricks, each brick representing a £1 donation from a member of the public. This is the first time that a large-scale LEGO model has been built by the general public, and anyone can support the project by visiting the Cathedral to add their bricks in person, by texting LEGO16 £2 to 70070 or donating online at http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/donate.
There are still around 15,000 bricks to add to the model before the final brick is laid on Monday 25 July, so to help complete the model in time I encourage you to support this fantastic initiative.
There's a series of mini-films retelling the story of Durham Cathedral in LEGO available to view on the cathedral's website and images of the model and more information about the initiative can be found after the break.
The story of Durham Cathedral is being retold … in LEGO!
The story of Durham Cathedral is being brought to life through a series of mini films, which are recreating the history of Durham Cathedral using the medium of LEGO.
From the life of St Cuthbert to Cathedral life today, five short films are being produced to share the Cathedral’s fascinating history in anticipation of the launch of Open Treasure, the Cathedral’s new world-class exhibition experience open from Saturday 23 July 2016. The films are being produced by North-East based video production company LintelFilm, in collaboration with Durham Cathedral.
Inspired by the now world-famous Durham Cathedral LEGO Build, a fundraising project which has seen the magnificent Durham Cathedral recreated in 300,000 LEGO bricks over three years, the films will raise awareness of both Open Treasure and Durham Cathedral in LEGO, which the Cathedral aims to complete in the next four weeks.
Ruth Robson, Head of Marketing and Events at Durham Cathedral, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with LintelFilms on the production of this LEGO mini-series. Durham Cathedral in LEGO has been such an important part of life at Durham Cathedral for the last three years, we thought it fitting to immortalise the project through LEGO whilst raising awareness of Open Treasure.
‘The films retell the history of Durham Cathedral in a fun and imaginative way. They are designed to encourage people to rediscover the Cathedral’s story, support Durham Cathedral LEGO Build, and inspire them to visit Open Treasure, which is open to the public from Saturday 23 July.’
The first two films, telling the story of St Cuthbert and the building of Durham Cathedral (which was completed in just 40 years!), have already been released via the Cathedral’s social media channels with great success. Together, the two videos have been viewed almost 30,000 times on social media, with the remaining three films expected to be released over the next three weeks.
The Story of Durham Cathedral in LEGO can be viewed on Durham Cathedral’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts, as well as the Cathedral’s website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/lego-story
Anyone wishing to support the LEGO build can donate by texting LEGO16 £2 to 70070, by visiting the Cathedral in person or head to http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/donate.
Open Treasure, Durham Cathedral’s world-class exhibition experience, opens on Saturday 23 July 2016. Visitors can register their interest for tickets in advance on the Cathedral’s website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/open-treasure
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15 comments on this article
Woah, that piece count is way over the limit of ANY Ideas project. Oh well it's an independent project.
I have added about 10 bricks in person and bought the set, why isn't it in the database?
There are 3 sets, a small version without out cloisters and one with and another big version
He has earned a place in Heaven. God will always bless him with peace! He glorfied God's dwelling place! Wish I could see it in person!
A similar build has been started at Exeter Cathedral.
^^^ Because it's not an official set
^ A lot of cathedrals have jumped on the bandwagon, it seems!
Chester cathedral are doing it as well. Went last month. Very impressive in person
It's been fun to watch this come together over the past couple of years (online as I'm an ocean away). I can hardly believe it's almost done.
Bury St Edmunds Cathedral is also starting a scale Lego model built by members of the public for a donation of £1 per brick. Our cathedral is a little smaller than the others, so that will be just 200,000 bricks then! We started in May and at the current rate of progress it will also take about three years. The plans and expertise for this project have been provided by those clever folks at Bright Bricks. If you are interested you can follow progress here: https://www.stedscathedral.uk/lego/
^^ watched it grow in person
Where can you buy the sets?
Dang. Looking ridiculously good so far.
^^^^ St Edmundsbury cathedral. I keep meaning to pop up town and pay to place a few bricks.. I was also hoping that some sort of unofficial set is launched (like other cathedral's have done).
Last year, Christine and I spent a month in the UK and we planned on visiting Durham Cathedral specifically to see this LEGO model. Unfortunately, we got behind in our plans and could not fit in a detour into Durham. My parents bought me a miniature Durham Cathedral set as compensation. I am looking at it now as it is is on display in our lounge.
https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/news/mini-lego-model
Thanks for the fantastic images of the full sized model. There is an amazing amount of detail. 10253 Big Ben will sell like hot cakes!
You can buy them in the cathedral
Really nice MOC! This would make for an awesome set in a stop motion video!