From Cologne Cathedral in Germany to the Palace of Justice in Brussels, Charlie has left his mark—quite literally—on some of Europe’s most treasured structures. His most recent work? Overseeing the completion of the final eight pinnacles atop one of Cologne Cathedral’s spires, a breath taking Gothic masterpiece that has stood since the 13th century.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to work on these historic sites,” says Charlie. “I feel incredibly lucky to contribute to buildings that will (hopefully) stand for centuries to come.”
Charlie’s passion for stonemasonry wasn’t random—it’s in his blood. His father, Matthew Gee, is also a stonemason, and growing up, Charlie was surrounded by chisel, mallet, and history.
“When I was five, we moved from Bath to Tuscany for six years for my dad’s work,” Charlie recalls. “Watching him restore churches in Italy inspired me to follow the same path.”
At just 15 years old, he enrolled in a three-year stonemasonry course at Weymouth College, followed by a prestigious four-year apprenticeship at York Minster—home to some of England’s finest stonemasonry training.
“York Minster’s apprenticeship program is extremely competitive. It was a big deal for me to get in. They focus on traditional cathedral restoration, not commercial stonemasonry, which often relies on power tools. I work the old-school way—with a mallet and chisel.”
Since completing his apprenticeship in late 2023, Charlie has been self-employed, joining a network of global stonemasons restoring legendary landmarks like:
- Florence’s Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
- York Minster in England
- The soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral
Every stonemason has a signature mark they carve into the stones they craft. Charlie’s? “CG”—his initials.
“It’s incredible to know my mark will be there for future generations. One day, I hope to bring my kids to these landmarks and say, ‘That’s my work up there.’ Just like my dad did with me.”
Charlie isn’t just restoring history—he’s also trying to revive interest in his craft among younger generations.
He shares his work on Instagram and YouTube, hoping to spark curiosity about a profession that is both physically demanding and incredibly rewarding.
“A lot of young people don’t consider stonemasonry because it takes years of training, patience, and hard work. But if they could see how amazing it is to work on these sites, maybe more would give it a chance.”
Even his sister has started following in his footsteps.
So, if you’ve ever marvelled at the towering cathedrals and intricate stonework of Europe, just know—behind every carved pinnacle, archway, and gargoyle, there’s a stonemason like Charlie, chiselling history back to life.
Photo by Tony Johnson
