Update on the Building Fund

As mentioned at Mass, during the week the newly carved stone cross, which replaces the crumbling Victorian one taken down on safety grounds a couple of years' ago, was installed high above the main door of the church.

A few weekends ago, a verbal update was given on the completion of phase one of our building project, funded by the Building Fund set up at Easter 2025 to help in the repair and preservation of the exterior of our 153 year old church building.  The text of the update can be accessed on the button below. As it says, the Building Fund has been supported phenomenally well with £147,000 raised so far plus gift aid of £10,000 and grants amounting to £65,000 plus £11,000 from the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme.

Phase 1 works included:

• Stripping and re-slating of the eaves slating to the south elevation of the nave roof.
• High-level brick repairs to the south nave, including the replacement of spalled and deteriorated brickwork using specially manufactured matching bricks.
• Installation of new roofing felt and battens to the south-east elevation.
• Raking out and repointing of brickwork to the south elevation of the belfry tower.
• Deep repointing works to the spire.
• Replacement of failed plywood panelling beneath the patent glazing above the Lady Chapel and Presbytery entrance hall with new fibre-cement panelling.
• Cladding works to the flat roof area, including the installation of new substrate and insulation.
• Removal, refurbishment, and reinstatement of high-level gutters, together with the installation of new lead lining throughout.
• Installation of new lead cappings.
• Poulticing treatment to clean and remove staining from the main entrance brickwork on the west elevation.
• Raking out and repointing of the main entrance brickwork on the west elevation.
• Repair and redecoration of the decorative stone columns on the west elevation.
• Remedial works to the drains, including jet-washing and CCTV surveys