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York Minster Mason Honored in Stone Carving
15 Jul
Summary
- A stonemason's likeness was carved into a new stone grotesque.
- The carving honors nearly 50 years of work at York Minster.
- The newly carved grotesque is set for installation later this year.

A remarkable tribute is being made at York Minster to honor John David, a master stonemason emeritus. David has dedicated nearly 50 years of his career to the preservation and restoration of the iconic cathedral.
As part of the ongoing work to replace weathered grotesques, David's likeness has been intricately carved into a new stone feature. This artistic recognition took approximately five weeks to complete.
The newly carved grotesque, bearing David's face, is slated for installation later in 2026. It will be positioned on the south side of the Minster, facing the very stoneyard where David has long worked.
Reflecting on the honor, David expressed profound humility, acknowledging the countless carvings that have endured for centuries on the historic structure.