Wraps ready to come off £225k church restoration
It was exactly a year ago that work started on urgent repairs to one of the city's historic churches - but now the end of the £225,000 project is in sight, say parish leaders.
Workmen moved into St Mary & St John's in Snow Hill, Wolverhampton, last September after the Grade II-listed church was placed on Historic England Heritage's At Risk register.
The project has preserved the Gothic-period Roman Catholic church for future generations. A total of 36 churches and chapels across the UK in a similar position received grants from the trust in last year's round of awards.
Concerns had been raised over the safety of parishioners and visitors when high-level masonry began to crumble - particularly when a corbel, a decorative support for one of the external beams, fell to the ground.
The 160-year-old building has been covered in scaffolding and protective sheeting since Easter when work started on the exterior of the mid-Victorian structure - now the wraps are set to come off next month.
As well as masonry repair work, the front entrance has had glass panels fitted so people can see into the church when it is locked and a new ramp for wheelchair access has built at the front. Some £20,000 of funding came from the National Churches Trust.
Andy Butwilowski, chairman of the restoration committee, said everyone at the church was thrilled with the results so far.
"Visually, it is nice for people to see the appearance of the church improved over the months and obviously, on the maintenance side, it's going to be a lot better. The church is being restored so that it will last for much longer.
"It is still being shrouded so we can't yet see the full effect of the work that is being carried out but it is already giving people a huge lift."
The church, designed by Charles Hansom, was built between 1851 and 1855. The main driving force behind it was John Hawksford, who later became Wolverhampton’s first Catholic mayor. The building has now been removed from the At Risk register.
At the time that the grant was awarded, broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, vice-president of the National Churches Trust, said he was 'delighted' that St Mary & St John's was being 'safeguarded' by the grant.
He added: "This funding will help ensure that this historic church, which does so much to help the local community, continues to serve local people for many years to come.”
He urged people to help maintain the building by helping to clear drains and gutters to help keep the church watertight and by keeping an eye out for vandals or thieves.
Meanwhile, events in the church's calendar have gone ahead regardless. This weekend the church is taking part in Heritage Open Weekend and later this month, on September 22- 24, parishioners are staging their biennial flower festival. The restoration work is due to be completed by October 22.
