A Spanish farmer who spent six decades building a 115-foot-high cathedral with his own hands has died aged 96 before it is finished – with supporters now pledging to finish it within the next two years.

Former Trappist monk Justo Gallego started building the cathedral in the town of Mejorada del Campo, located in the Spanish Community of Madrid in 1961. He had no architectural training or building experience before starting to construct the cathedral.

He died on 28th November aged 96 after reportedly spending the last couple of months bedridden and unable to work on his life’s work.

For six decades, the man worked tirelessly on the cathedral using recycled and donated materials.

Popularly known as ‘La Catedral de Justo’, Gallego dedicated the monumental building to Our Lady of the Pillar (Virgen del Pilar) as a gesture of gratitude after overcoming tuberculosis as a boy.

The Council of Mejorada del Campo said in a statement on Sunday: “He was building his dream stone by stone. This cathedral has attracted visitors and media attention from all over the world, including an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) In New York dedicated to his work.”

In April, the council named Gallego as the town’s ‘favourite son’ and three days of mourning has been announced following his passing.

Gallego became famous in 2005 when the drinks brand Aquarius used the cathedral in an advert.

The cathedral stands on farmland owned by Gallego’s family and occupies an area of 4,740 square metres and is 35 metres (115 feet) high. It also boasts all the common features of a cathedral, such as a crypt, cloister, porticoes, and over 2,000 stained glass windows.

Before his death, Gallego donated the cathedral to members of the Messengers of Peace programme who announced that they plan to finish construction within two years after obtaining the necessary council permits.

The engineering company Calter has been commissioned to carry out the remainder of the construction.