The silent witness of the cathedral: Charlie Gee

 

Charlie Gee, a master of hands that converse with history, is one of the rare artisans who brings stone time’s defiant language to life with a youthful spirit. Shaping his passion in his father’s workshop, Gee transformed it into discipline through his apprenticeship at York Minster. On his journey from Cologne Cathedral to social media platforms, he leaves his mark on both the past and future of stonemasonry. For him, marble is not merely a building material but a medium of storytelling. We spoke with the artist about how tradition endures and how it evolves.

How would you describe your father’s role in your decision to become a stonemason? What was the moment that influenced you the most?

My father played a massive role in shaping my path. Watching him carve stone with such precision made a strong impression on me from a young age.

What was the most valuable technique or principle you learned during your apprenticeship at York Minster?

At York Minster, the most valuable lesson wasn’t just a technique, but also patience. Stone teaches you to slow down and respect the material.  Creating precision carved pieces by hand repeated over the years was a core skill that shaped my craftsmanship. But patience and attention to detail were the real foundations.

What has working with traditional methods (using mallet and chisel) brought to your craftsmanship? How do you view modern stone masonry practices that rely more on power tools?

Traditional tools like the mallet and chisel force you to appreciative and understand the stone.

Most commercial firms in England teach apprentices with hand tools, as it is the foundation of stonemasonry.

I respect modern methods for their efficiency on large projects, but personally, I believe handcrafting is essential for learning the basics and for preserving the craft.

You mentioned that working on the restoration of Cologne Cathedral was one of your career goals. How did this experience meet your expectations, and what emotions did it evoke?

Working on Cologne Cathedral was genuinely surreal, it exceeded my expectations. Standing on scaffolding high above the city, working on a structure that’s survived wars and centuries, was incredibly humbling.

As a young craftsman, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of keeping an ancient craft like traditional stonemasonry alive?

The biggest advantage, is bringing fresh energy and a new voice to a historic tradition. I can bridge the old with the new, especially by sharing the craft through social media.

Fewer people today understand how much skill and time go into true stonework. Keeping it relevant and respected is an ongoing effort.

What are your thoughts on the use of marble in cathedrals? Especially in restoration projects, what do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of working with marble?

Marble is a beautiful, incredibly durable yet workable with a good set of tools. Its aesthetic qualities are unmatched for certain sculptures and interiors. However, in restoration, matching the original material is critical. So, it must match with the building original stone.

What kind of responsibility and pride do you feel when leaving your own mark (your initials, CG) on a stone you have worked on?

Leaving my mark is an honor, a quiet handshake across centuries. It reminds me that even though most people won’t ever notice, I was here, and I did my part to preserve something bigger than myself.

Looking ahead, is there a particular building or city where you dream of practicing your stone masonry skills?

I would love to contribute to restoration work in Rome, like St. Peter’s Basilica.

Since establishing your own business, have you aimed to bring a new perspective or innovation to the tradition of stonemasonry?

Yes, absolutely. I’m passionate about using social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube Facebook and TikTok to show people the process of stonemasonry. I think it’s important to show people the process and amount of work that goes into maintaining a historical building.

People don’t often know the amount of work that goes into it, and I hope to show that with my social media.