In 2012 St Giles Church, a Grade 1 listed building, celebrated the 900th anniversary of its consecration in June, 1112. As part of the celebrations, an appeal was launched to refurbish and restore the stature of St Giles above the entrance to the church, which was erected in 1876, and the coats of arms alongside it.
The Freemen agreed to fund the professional restoration of the crumbling four-foot high statue which stands above the main entrance of the church in Gilesgate. It is good to report the patron of healing has made a full recovery after undergoing major surgery in an operation funded by the City of Durham Freemen.