Removal of pews start of major changes for London’s oldest cathedral [Video]

A new year is bringing a new look for London’s historic St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Construction crews are set to remove more than 250 wooden pews from it this week, kicking off an ambitious multi-year plan to reinvent the cathedral as part church, part creative arts incubator.

It comes as the Anglican Diocese of Huron faces declining religious attendance and officials with the cathedral examine the building’s future role in the community.

The objective is to enhance the cathedral for use as a holy place, while opening it up to new possibilities and providing financial security for the future, said Dean Kevin George.

“We believe God is at work in the creatives in this city, so, to be able to bring creatives into the space who want to perform and express themselves with their music, for instance,” he said.

“We want to be able to, yes, increase some revenue, but more …