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churches
historic
The
Building
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SPECIAL
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25th Edition
THE CONSERVATION AND REPAIR OF ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS
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THE BUILDING CONSERVATION DIRECTORY
SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES
Twenty-fifth Annual Edition
CONTENTS
ISBN 978 1 900915 90 8
PUBLISHED BY
Cathedral Communications Limited 3 SEEKING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6HA Becky Clark
Tel 01747 871717 Fax 01747 871718
Email admin@buildingconservation.com
www.buildingconservation.com
5 CHURCH TOURISM
Jonathan Taylor
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Gordon Sorensen
7 REMEMBRANCE AND REMONSTRANCE
EDITORIAL TEAM Claire Daunton
Jonathan Taylor, editor
Felicity Fox
13 PORCH GATES
David Boulting
Linda Hall
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Elizabeth Coyle-Camp
16 THE CATHEDRAL WORKS YARD
PRODUCTION & ADMINISTRATION Antony Lowe
Lynn Green
Lydia Porter
21 CONSTRUCTION VIBRATION
ADVERTISING David Trevor-Jones
Nicholas Rainsford
Carla Winchcombe 24 CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES FOR WIRING LIGHTING SYSTEMS
TYPESETTING Bruce Kirk
xendo
PRINTING 29 COPPER PANEL PAINTINGS
The conservation of a chancel scheme
Micropress Printers Ltd
Michael Bowes
The many companies and specialist groups advertising
32 OLD CHURCHES, NEW BEGINNINGS
in this Building Conservation Directory Special
Colin McNeish
Report have been invited to participate on the
basis of their established involvement in the field of
building conservation and the suitability of some 36 URNES and Norway’s Stave Church Preservation Programme
of their products and services for ecclesiastical
Felicity Fox
buildings work. Some of the participants also supply
products and services to other areas of the building
market which have no application in the building 41 USEFUL CONTACTS
conservation field. The inclusion of any company or
individual in this publication should not necessarily
be regarded as either a recommendation or an 44 PRODUCTS & SERVICES
endorsement by the publishers. Although every effort
has been made to ensure that information in this
book is correct at the time of printing, responsibility 52 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
for errors or omissions cannot be accepted by
the publishers or any of the contributors.
© Copyright 2018
Cathedral Communications Limited
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recordings,
or otherwise, without the prior written permission FROM THE EDITOR
of Cathedral Communications Limited. This edition of Historic Churches marks 25 years of our exploring the many layers of
COVER ILLUSTRATION significance attached to ecclesiastical built heritage, and probing some of the most
The scaffolded tower of Canterbury Cathedral challenging conservation issues of our time.
rises above Christchurch Gateway and As almost one in three churches now has a congregation of fewer than 20, the
Mercy Lane (Photo: Jonathan Taylor)
question of sustainability is a recurring theme, led in this edition by Becky Clark, the
director of the Church of England’s cathedral and church buildings division. Other
leading authorities delve into the detail of some of our most extraordinary church art
£5.95 and architecture, tackle the technical challenges posed by ageing fabric, and consider
opportunities for greater use.
We at Cathedral Communications have very much enjoyed our first quarter of
a century of harnessing and communicating the issues and triumphs surrounding
the conservation of our churches and other places of worship, which could not have
happened without the valuable input of our dedicated authors, contributors, production
team and advertisers, to whom we are most grateful.
CAT H E D RAL
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S
SEEKING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Becky Clark
‘C
RUMBLING CATHEDRALS’.
‘Church in crisis’. ‘Ageing
congregations put future
at risk’. – All of these headlines have
appeared in UK media over the past
year, and all of them have accompanied
articles which sought to suggest that
the very existence of the Church of
England as we know it is at risk. All
were overly dramatic and, in the way of
headlines, only really there to get people
to read the full story. Nevertheless,
all contained a kernel of truth.
The Church of England is the major
player in English religious heritage, having
within its ambit over 16,000 churches
and innumerable vicarages, church
halls, churchyards, burial grounds, and
associated green spaces. Over 12,400 Evershot, Dorset: parish churches form the focal point of countless villages and towns throughout the UK,
CofE churches are listed and 45 per cent treasured by both the wider community and their congregations. (Photo: Jonathan Taylor)
of all England’s Grade I listed buildings
are churches. Almost by accident the CofE gone. National money supported local statutory body. We all had reason to rue
has become the single largest manager of care and ownership. It was a virtuous the original decision when, after five
built heritage in the UK, and by and large circle in which churches, when in good years, HLF wrapped up what was by then
it is doing its best to look after it. repair, could offer support of all kinds to called the Grants for Places of Worship
At a local level, parishes retain the people of their community, in turn scheme into its general funds, bringing
responsibility for the care of their helping to build and develop the sorts of to an end dedicated money for places of
buildings, but this situation is places that people wanted to live in. It worship capital repair and restoration
becoming rarer. In France the state wasn’t perfect and it didn’t help everyone, work. Churches will, from now on, be
takes responsibility and in several other but for the most part it worked. applying for HLF money using their
European countries both funding and Sadly, we are now in a position where standard criteria, competing with all other
administration have been centralised. such funding simply no longer exists. forms of heritage.
England however has always resisted The ‘bonfire of the quangos’ in 2010 led It stands to the credit of the
this approach, and arguably the nation to English Heritage making significant government that, in difficult times,
is the better for it. To take away local changes, eventually resulting in its split it sought to help. The Listed Places
responsibility is to take away local into two organisations, with heritage of Worship Roof Repairs Fund was
engagement and ownership. No matter protection legislation and listing ending announced by George Osborne in
how well-meaning, a large piece of up with the new Historic England. As part 2014 and, over the coming two years,
centralised organisational machinery can of seeking to minimise duplication, the awarded £55 million to places of worship.
never hope to understand the needs and Repair Grants for Places of Worship Cathedrals, Catholic and CofE, also
wants or the hopes and dreams of every scheme was transferred wholesale to the benefitted from the First World War
local community. That challenge and Heritage Lottery Fund in a move that Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund, worth
privilege must stay locally entrenched. This some senior people at HLF have latterly £40 million. Both of these have had a
being said, it is not enough to state this come to see as a mistake. Core funding huge impact, but among all the good news
principle and then leave them to flounder. of capital repairs was never part of HLF’s stories was the certainty that short-term
Deals with government (latterly via brief, and moreover, it was giving up a pots of money were not enough to solve
arm’s length bodies such as Historic state-accepted responsibility to a non- the underlying problem.
England) have meant 40 years of
continuous state support for the care of
historic places of worship. Largely, this
Religious heritage is one of the pillars of European
majored on the heritage significance culture and identity. It is the largest ‘museum’ in
of churches, but issues of community
cohesion and social and economic input Europe and covers every corner of the continent.
were also part of the deal. Churches, Future for Religious Heritage, writing on the
especially historic ones, were felt to be too protection of religious heritage in Europe
valuable to be lost, and irreplaceable once
BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION 3
The Taylor Review of English
Cathedral and Church Buildings
Sustainability was commissioned in April
2016, reporting to the Chancellor and
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport. Its aim was ‘to examine
the funding and sustainability of listed
Church of England buildings, and
consider how to ensure that the thousands
of listed church buildings, many of which
define our towns, cities and villages, are
conserved for future generations.’1 This
was the government asking for ideas
about a long-term solution, one which
didn’t limit the definition of churches
to either their religious, community or
potential commercial use, but accepted a
multivalent position, where overlapping
uses and groups of people worked St James’, West Hampstead, London welcomes the wider community through its doors with its new Sherriff
together for a sustainable future. It was a Centre, which includes a post office, café and play area. (Photo: Katie Garner)
hugely exciting opportunity.
The entire report is available online two-year pilot of these recommendations.
and is worth a read for anyone who either Greater Manchester and Suffolk (the local
cares about the future of churches, or authority areas, rather than the dioceses,
who questions why so much time and as this will be an all faiths pilot) will
money has been put into them over the each appoint two officers who will work
years. It seeks to answer the obvious yet with a project manager based at Historic
provocative question: ‘Why doesn’t the England. They will work with faith groups
Church of England look after them itself?’ within their area, predominantly but
It draws out examples where extended not limited to the Church of England
use of church buildings, alongside their dioceses, to identify key areas for them to
purpose as places of worship, has brought focus their efforts on during an 18-month
in new communities to help with the trial period. The pilot areas were carefully
collective task of caring for the place. chosen: one north, one south; one mainly
The Taylor Review makes several urban, one largely rural; both with
recommendations. Key among these existing strategic approaches to church
is the importance of strengthening the buildings into which the pilots can fit.
resource which supports the development We will have to wait until 2020 to see
of sustainable churches. In this instance, exactly what the pilot schemes achieve.
resource means people. Historic England Training and evaluation are built into the A library in the bell tower of St Peter’s, Peterchurch,
and the Church of England have known scheme, so we will have a very good record Herefordshire (Photo: Church of England)
for years that support officers working at of what this is. There are, of course, other
diocesan level can help projects succeed, models that could have been attempted but The Taylor pilots will not please
ideas flower, and finances appear. Taylor the CofE, working with Historic England everyone, but they acknowledge the
picks this up and re-imagines it as two and the Department for Digital, Culture, unique place of religious heritage
roles in each diocese: one looking at Media and Sport, is trying this one. We and in particular the parish church
community development and action, the already know that having good people on in English life. They accept a shared
other focusing on building maintenance. the ground doesn’t just give better access responsibility for supporting their local
These two are to work together in a dance to key resources through expertise and care and development and with the right
devised to fit their local surroundings, availability, but also helps to boost the assistance, churches can secure and
balancing the necessary work between confidence of parochial church councils, continue to grow their offering to the
them, managing a small pot of grant cash church friends groups, local history people of England. A sturdy roof and a
for repairs and acting as gatekeepers to societies and others to try out new ideas. warm building is just the start.
a larger national pot for major works, Churches can be post offices and
as well as advising on where else might cafés. Churches can be a social care BECKY CLARK is Director of Churches and
the funding come for the really large or centre one day and the village shop the Cathedrals at the Church of England and
ambitious ideas. next. Churches can be doctor’s surgeries, Secretary of the Church Buildings Council and
At the heart of this proposal is a refuge centres, night shelters and food Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.
return to the point about local ownership banks and they can do all this while She trained as an archaeologist and has an MA
and care. Taylor accepts the crucial nature still remaining churches. Churches are in Heritage Management from the Ironbridge
of the parish relationship. This is about places of care and sanctuary, worship and Institute and an MBA from Warwick Business
supporting that relationship and helping it joy. They should be open, they should School. Becky previously worked for English
to work, not taking powers away. be welcoming and they should be the Heritage in the planning policy team and
The upshot of the review is the opposite of a private members club with Chief Executive’s Office. She is Treasurer of the
government’s investment in a £1.8 million, unspoken rules on who can join. Society for Church Archaeology.
¹ http://bc-url.com/taylor-review pg.10
4 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION
CHURCH TOURISM
Jonathan Taylor
H
ISTORICALLY, THE architecture
and decoration of religious
buildings across Europe
have always been accorded the finest
workmanship and artistry available, and
in the UK today the larger cathedrals
and abbeys are among the most visited
attractions in the country. Although less
well visited, our small parish churches
too include world-class architecture, their
interiors lined with the finest works of art
in stained glass and sculptural ornament.
Many are substantially intact medieval
buildings, and often they are by far the
oldest buildings in their neighbourhood,
having been cherished and embellished
by the community from one century to
the next. No wonder then that historic
churches and chapels are loved by
visitors from this country and abroad.
Although some churches see it
as part of their mission to welcome
all visitors, whether they wish to
worship or not, others take the view
that these buildings are sacred spaces,
built to the glory of God. They are
not museums or art galleries, so why
should they open up their buildings
to cater for the needs of agnostics?
Firstly, from a simple, practical
point of view, few congregations (if
any) have the wealth to maintain these
buildings without substantial outside
help. Most rely on public funding and
the assistance of charitable bodies for
essential repairs to keep their buildings
water tight, and for the conservation of
their works of art. Organisations such
as the Heritage Lottery Fund prioritise
their grant assistance according to
public benefit, so keeping the church
open to the public is usually a primary
requirement. Likewise, congregations
also have to consider whether it is
acceptable for them to accept public A model of the medieval layout of Carlisle Cathedral provides thought-provoking historic interpretation for
support without accepting public access. visitors, without distracting from the character of the surroundings
In areas of the country with high crime
levels, it is perhaps understandable that Church Open and Secure explains, seem counter-intuitive to some, but
some parishioners see locking their place ‘An open door enables people to find a a locked and deserted church is more
of worship as the best way to protect it. quiet place to pray, it offers somewhere likely to attract vandalism, and the best
However, Ecclesiastical, the largest insurer to sit and think, and it enables visitors to defence is actually to encourage more
of places of worship in the UK, actually the area to enjoy any historical treasures frequent use.
encourages congregations to keep their you may have. A steady flow of legitimate It is well known that the nave of
churches open during daylight hours. visitors also helps deter those with criminal parish churches was used in the medieval
As their guidance note Keeping Your intent’ (bc-url.com/open-church). It may period for a wide range of secular
BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION 5
visitor using digital 3-D models, and
content can be tailored to the age group
and interests of the visitor.
Digital content, if well designed, can
transform the visitor experience, and
is well worth considering despite the
relatively high cost of the initial hardware
and installation.
VISITOR NETWORKS, TRAILS
AND ‘CHAMPING’
The visitor experience in each church
is important, but a broader strategy is
required to encourage existing visitors
to visit more churches and to attract
new visitors. Networks provided by
organisations such as the Historic
Religious Buildings Alliance and the
Church Visitors and Tourism Association
are vital for sharing information and for
Champing with the Churches Conservation Trust at St Michael and All Angels in Booton, Norfolk (Photo: Joseph Casey) promoting best practice.
One approach is to develop trails so
activities, and not solely as places of Trust property this might take the form visitors can enjoy interesting days out in
worship. As the Bishop of Worcester of a leaflet specifically written to keep the countryside visiting several churches.
explained in the 2017 edition of Historic children active and engaged, and in most The CVTA’s website lists a variety of
Churches; ‘Over the years, however, a churches this approach can work too. schemes ranging from short walks to
pietism crept in which tended to exclude But it might also be useful to consider long distance pilgrim trails and cycling
everything but public worship from allocating an area in which children can routes. In the Church of England’s diocese
them, all other activity being transferred sit and play safely while their parents of Warwick for example, a series of
to places such as halls and community and grandparents enjoy the art and 53 short walks has been developed to help
centres. Far too many churches remain architecture of the place. promote visits to the historic churches
locked and stand like mausoleums Assigning an area of the church and churchyards in south Warwickshire,
except when open for worship and are to visitor information and children’s while the Church of England has teamed
increasingly marginal to the life of the activities can be particularly welcoming up with the cycling charity Sustrans to
communities they exist to serve.’ for visitors, and it may be designed to produce a series of ‘Towers and Spires’
Encouraging visitors is one of the serve the needs of worshipers and the cycling tours linking English cathedrals
simplest ways in which the use of places community too. However, if using display and historic churches.
of worship can be extended, and if done boards to interpret the historic and One of the most interesting recent
well it can have minimal impact on the architectural interest of the place, the developments, by the Churches
character of the building or its use by the quality of the design and the scale needs Conservation Trust, enables visitors to
congregation. Furthermore, promoting to be carefully considered so as not to camp in historic churches overnight.
wider appreciation of the building’s harm the setting itself. Something small, ‘Champing’ as it is known, has proved to
architectural and historic value can help to engaging and thought-provoking may be be extremely popular with 16 churches
safeguard the building’s fabric in the future. all that’s required to encourage visitors added in 2018 to bring the total number
to use the printed guides and to create a available to 21 churches across England
HERITAGE INTERPRETATION sense of welcome. and with one in Orkney. The churches
It is common for historic churches to Art galleries often provide an audio are equipped with camp beds, chairs,
provide a leaflet which outlines the guide, enabling visitors to access key lanterns, candles, tea and coffee-
history of the place and the stories behind information about each work of art in making facilities, as well as toilets,
some of the key features. However, their own time as they walk around. and sizes vary from those that offer
while a good, well written guide to the In historic churches and churchyards, accommodation to just two people
history of the building, its contents and information may be delivered in much to those suitable for large groups.
its surrounding is perhaps the minimum the same way using the visitor’s smart The extraordinarily rich heritage
requirement for encouraging people to phone. Info-point (info-point.eu) represented by parish churches and other
visit historic places of worship, it is not for example, allows the visitor to see places of worship in the UK remains a
the only issue. Heritage interpretation information using the web browser of largely undeveloped resource. However,
requires careful consideration of the their phone while within the church or its imaginative solutions such as these, and
needs of the visitors, why they are there, churchyard, without having to connect to with growing support for individual
and what is likely to interest them. the internet (and avoiding data-roaming parishes from church authorities,
Art galleries and historic houses charges). Systems such as this can provide charitable bodies and the private sector,
which are open to the public generally a wide range of content from a simple church tourism seems set to grow.
cater for a wider variety of needs and PDF or video guide to highly interactive
engage people in different ways. Having augmented reality. Earlier phases of JONATHAN TAYLOR is the editor of
something for small children to do is construction or wall paintings for example Historic Churches and a director of Cathedral
particularly important. In a National could be brought to life in front of the Communications.
6 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION
REMEMBRANCE and
REMONSTRANCE
A FENLAND CHURCH
Claire Daunton
S
IR NICHOLAS Beaupre of Outwell,
a village on the Cambridgeshire and
west Norfolk border, was a man of
detail, as his long and interesting will
of 1513 makes clear. He wanted to leave
nothing to chance. Very clear provisions
were made concerning his land, his
house and contents, and a range of
other goods. He was concerned that his
sons’ education and subsequent paths
in life should befit their gentry status:
he wished them to train in ‘the law’ as
well as to concern themselves with the
management of land. He had married
well, to Margaret Fotheringhay, but it
was more than a marriage for money and
status: it was a close partnership, as the
will indicates. His other concern was the
parish church of St Clement, particularly
the Lady Chapel, on the south side, where
his family used to sit. He makes provision
for repairs and repainting there and for
hangings, as well as for a crimson cope (a
cloak-like liturgical garment) for use in
the chapel.
The two quotations opposite, along
with other detail from the will, make clear
that he spent time in the church, to pray
alone and take part in the liturgy, and
that he liked to do this in a style befitting
his status. But he was not a lover of great
ostentation. There are marks of genuine
piety in the will and of a genuine concern
for the wellbeing of St Clement’s, as well
as for the wider community of Outwell.
He wished to be remembered as a devoted
father, a devout Christian and a good The 15th-century nave roof of St Clement’s (Photo: Mike Dixon)
member of the parish.
Sadly, nothing now remains of the …and al my bokes as prikson boke gramer bokes englyshe bokes and al other be
desk, the cushions or the hangings, but devidyd be twine my sonnes Edmonde and Nichols excepte I wil my primer remain
there is a tomb to Sir Nicholas and his in o[ur]lady chapel in owtwell under lokke and key in a lytill deskewiche yf I leve
wife and heirs. There is also some very I purpose to make for myself to sit inne and knele before sainte John and att pleasure
fine late medieval glass in the tracery of my nexte heres to have it born in to my chapel. I geve also my portas to remain.
lights of the east window in that chapel,
…also I will that iv coshons cov[er]yd with greys skinnys remain in the churche on
probably dating to the period when
my deske and iii upon my grave ston to sit on.
Sir Nicholas entered into his marriage
Provisions made in Sir Nicholas Beaupre's will for St Clement’s in 1513
with Margaret. The scheme includes
BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION 7
patrons of the north chapel by the time
Sir Nicholas was making his will.
John Fyncham (John was a common
Fyncham name, just as Nicholas was a
common Beaupre name) of Fincham
St Martin, some 15 miles to the east, was
the son of John Fyncham of Fincham and
Beatrice Thoresby, daughter of one of the
leading merchant families of Lynn. This
John had also married well, to Elizabeth
the daughter of Thomas Derham,
sometime MP for Lynn. Although the
Fynchams were landowners and members
of the gentry, they were also a family
of lawyers in a county notorious for
its litigation and for the importance of
lawyers, with close links to London.
John Fyncham, lawyer, who died in
1527, requested burial in St Bride’s Fleet
Street, but he described himself as ‘John
Fyncham of Owtewell in the countie of
Cambrigge gentilman’.
The Fyncham chapel on the north side
of the church, like that of the Beaupre
chapel is noted for its architectural
details but also for what remains of a The restored figure of Balthasar in the north chapel
fine early 16th-century glazing scheme (Photo: Mike Dixon)
which had depicted the visit of the
Magi to the newly-born Christ. Only choice and positioning of these angelic
one figure, that of Balthasar bearing a figures was likely to have been taken by
gold cup, now remains below a set of a building committee of laity established
Fyncham heraldic glass, pieced together by the churchwardens, probably with
during a programme of restoration. In significant input from the clergy.
his will John Fyncham requested that According to the work of the 12th-
five gold cups be made for members century commentator William Durandus
of his family so that he might be on liturgy and imagery in churches and
remembered by these. It is interesting their pre-figuring of heavenly existence,
to note that in the original glazing the higher up in the building and the
The tomb of Sir Nicholas Beaupre, his wife Margaret scheme five gold cups were present. closer to the chancel an image appeared,
and their heirs (Photo: Mike Dixon) The evidence in glass and stone of the closer its subject was to God. Thus,
gentry families such as the Fynchams angels and apostles belonged on the roof.
male and female martyrs of the early and Beaupres is one of the engaging In Outwell the angels are in places you
Church, but also figures of East Anglian aspects of St Clement’s, Outwell. Other would expect to find them and so are
saints such as King Edmund and King elements of striking decorative work were figures of the apostles, on the roof posts;
Oswald, alongside the arms of the then surely provided by communal decisions apostles in the company of the angels,
Diocese of Ely, with a background of and with communal fundraising: that but a little below them. What is different
crosses, suggesting the ‘crosses crosslet’ which genuinely marks out St Clement’s, at Outwell, however, is that the apostles
of the Beaupre coat of arms. No evidence Outwell as unique is the composition of share their roof-post position not with
survives of the family’s funding of the the imagery on the nave roof. angels but with others. Each figure of
glass, but a close involvement with the The roofs of the nave and aisles are an apostle is accompanied by a figure
choice of imagery seems more than likely. filled with figures of angels, large and of a human being or that of a devil; and
The window, illustrated opposite, is one of small (one count suggested 107 angelic some of the human figures are distorted.
the several glories of this fenland church figures), on roof beams and posts, Now blackened with age and the heavy-
that deserve to be better known. carrying objects associated with the handed application of dark-stained
The Beaupre family’s association with celebration of the Mass, instruments varnish, these roof-post figures are almost
the church and the area went back more of the Passion of Christ, and symbols completely invisible to the naked eye.
than two centuries: their gentry status of episcopal and papal office. Probably Their examination being a challenge
was well established by the time that dating from different decades of the makes uncovering their details all the
Sir Nicholas became head of the family in 15th century, these angelic figures, their more exciting.
the late 15th century. dress and the items they carry, are not On each of the 12 posts (six on the
Another family responsible for the unlike others found in East Anglian north side and six on the south side of
enrichment of St Clement’s was the churches, although they are particularly the nave) a full-length figure of an apostle
Fynchams’. Although their association with rich in their range and number. The repair stands tall and straight. Several of these
Outwell began a little later, the Fynchams and upkeep of the nave and aisles was figures can be identified from items they
had already established themselves as the responsibility of parishioners, so the hold, linking them with their life stories
8 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITIONDetail of the east window which includes male and female martyrs of the early Church as well as figures of East
Anglian saints such as King Edmund and King Oswald (Photo: Mike Dixon)
or their legends, well known to medieval juxtaposition of sacred and profane, for
viewers. Each figure is carved with care mixing the heavenly and the earthly.
and skill allowing small details to be This trend can also be seen in other
visible, such as buckles and holes on a media in buildings. In the north east
belt, or the brim of a hat. The figures have window of St Peter’s, Great Walsingham,
an air of quiet stillness about them as they for example, are images of human heads
stand on small ledges formed by the ends with grotesque features, the remains
of the roof posts. Above each full-length of a much larger 14th-century scheme
figure of an apostle is a half-length figure. mirroring those found in manuscripts.
These are formed into the curve of the In the 15th century this type of imagery
roof structure. They are load-bearing began to appear on bench ends and on
and their shape and position makes them roof friezes. A good example of the latter
appear larger than the apostles. Shape, being on the nave roof at All Saints,
size and location are important. Some Elm, Cambridgeshire and on the north
of these figures are human, some are aisle roof of Outwell’s near neighbour,
demonic, some have dual characteristics, St Peter’s, Upwell. Further, if we take
some are male, and some are female. No one of the most striking of the figures,
two are the same, but some have similar that of the woman with the horned
characteristics: there are two grinning head-dress and claws, we can see ‘sister’
demons, but they are not identical; there figures in the church of St Martin,
are two bourgeois merchant figures, Fincham, some 15 miles to the west,
but there are slight differences in their and in St Mary’s, Mildenhall, some
appearance; there are two men of the 30 miles to the south. Both places have
church, but one is a tonsured cleric and either direct or indirect familial links to
the other a cowled monk; there are two Outwell. At Fincham and Mildenhall,
women, but one has a simple head-dress however, the figures do not have the
and carries rosary beads and the other detail of the claws and are not paired
has a rich, elaborate horned head-dress, with apostles. In Outwell the normal
but claws in place of hands. Although order of things is turned upside down.
only half-length, these figures appear In the north aisle of St Mary’s,
large, somewhat ungainly and somewhat Mildenhall there are roof-post pairings
distorted, in comparison with the precise, of angels and apostles, but here, true to
careful and upright figures of the apostles. Durandus’ treatise, the figure of the angel
What to make of this roof-post stands higher than the apostle, inclining
scheme? There was an established in a protective manner. In Outwell
Details of some of the double figures on the roof posts with
tradition in East Anglia, particularly when seen from the floor of the nave an apostle on each, and: a merchant (above), a woman
in manuscript illumination, for the (the view parishioners would have had), with horned headdress and clawed hands (below)
BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION 9message was too forthright. Perhaps the
roof figures reminded parishioners of
those around them and their human traits
and foibles; and one can see, perhaps, a
deliberately playful and enigmatic element
in this scheme.
We can gain some idea of the impact
of the new roof scheme at Outwell from
the recently restored roof at St Mary,
Beeston-next-Mileham, Norfolk. Here
the pale oak is bright, and the impact
of the carved figures is clear from floor
level. There are figures of angels, saints
and clerics, but also of birds and animals.
What is now blackened by age and hidden
from the naked eye at Outwell would have
been visible, perhaps not in every detail
but the message of the scheme would have
been there for parishioners to see. Were
they puzzled, disappointed, outraged?
Or was it the case that in fact not all the
details were so clear and some of the
impact of the scheme, its full message, was
blunted? Or were the master carpenters
putting their own interpretation on
instructions and did the scheme turn out
Details of some of the double figures on the roof posts with an apostle on each, and (from L to R): a tonsured cleric to be either more or less in its impact than
and a demon with St John (Photos: Hugh Harrison) the building committee and its backers
intended? While the figures of saints
the larger half-length figures appear to familiar with a wide range of imagery, and and angels in other parts of the church
loom over and overwhelm the smaller the literature from which this was derived. provided comfort and familiarity, the
figures of the apostles. When viewed at We know that a range of devotional figures on the nave roof remonstrated,
eye level, or roof level, the pairing seems and didactic literature was in circulation challenged, amused and reminded
completely different: the larger figures at this period, available to the clergy and those who viewed them that there was
are bearing the weight of the roof, are to the literate laity. It included treatises a saint and a sinner in each of them.
worn down by it and appear much more that dealt with the virtues and vices, This is a remarkable, beautifully-
vulnerable than the free and straight- with preparing for a good death by living executed scheme, in a church full of
backed apostles. The larger figures are a holy life, exhorting congregations to interesting imagery and artefacts,
in fact not larger; they are more bulky put aside the animal side of nature and lovingly supported by a small community.
perhaps, but also more encumbered. look to things spiritual. Some of these The figures have survived since the
This scheme begs a great many treatises painted vivid word pictures 15th century but they are now in grave
questions which, in the absence of translated by carpenters and masons danger from damage accumulated over
surviving documentation, have no into visual imagery in wood and stone. the centuries. The Friends of St Clement’s
clear answers. Some interesting points, It is possible then that a building and the church’s parishioners have been
however, arise from the apparent committee at Outwell, or one or two working hard over the past decade to raise
ambiguities in both the content of the leading parishioners, might have agreed funds for restoration of the roof, the late
scheme and its location on the roof. that the new roof needed a didactic medieval stained glass and other aspects
Making comparisons with surviving scheme that illustrated how men and of this special place.
images of figures in brass, stone and glass, women from different walks of life and
we can date the roof scheme to the middle social stations were prey to temptations, Further Information
years of the 15th century, a period when and that these temptations could be For details of The Friends of St Clement’s
many churches in East Anglia were being understood as physical distortions. By and how to support their work of
restored or enlarged. It was common for contrast, the apostles are now saints caring for the church, see www.
roof levels to be raised and for the new and have therefore been purified of the stclementsoutwell.org.uk.
roofs to have decorative figure schemes. disfigurements of sin. Such a scheme Photos are reproduced by kind
Projects of this nature would have would have been up-to-date with the permission of Mike Dixon, Norfolk
involved fundraising campaigns, building contemporary literature and would have and of Hugh Harrison, Conservation
committees and the involvement of had much to recommend it both in Consultant, Devon.
leading families of the parish. They would didactic terms and in its visual impact.
have engaged craftsmen from the locality Those commissioning such a scheme, CLAIRE DAUNTON MA PhD (chgd2@
or further afield, according to their novel in itself, could not have known how cam.ac.uk) is a medieval historian based
finances and the availability of skilled it would turn out in practice. The fact that in Cambridge. Her PhD research at the
labour. Some of the most skilled teams, it was not repeated elsewhere suggests University of East Anglia examined the
associated with the Benedictine abbey either that it was a disappointment to patronage and iconography of stained
at Bury St Edmund’s, would have been those who commissioned it, or that its glass in late medieval Norfolk.
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12 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITIONPORCH GATES
Linda Hall
H
OW MANY times have you
stopped and looked at the porch
gates before entering a historic
church? Occasionally? Never? Many
churches do not have porch gates, while
some have outer doors, but a surprising
number of fascinating and historic porch
gates survive. Sometimes these are in
a rarely used porch, while the current
entrance has plain functional gates that
may be quite recent. A Google image
search will also produce interesting
modern examples. Yet these gates are
never mentioned in books about church
architecture and very rarely mentioned in
Pevsner’s Buildings of England or in church
guide books. It is as if they are invisible.
Porch gates perform different
functions in different places. Some are
clearly designed to keep intruders out,
with locks, bars and a fearsome array of
wrought iron spikes on the top. Others
are lower and spike-less and were perhaps
intended to keep out dogs, cats and other
animals rather than human intruders.
More recent examples often include a
mesh to prevent birds from flying into the
church, especially where the main door is
kept open as a sign of welcome.
The oldest surviving gates appear to
date from the 17th century, with many
more from the 18th century and later.
They come in three main types. Some are
of solid plank or panelled construction
like doors, while others have an open
framework of posts, rails, wooden slats
or ironwork. The third type combines St Andrew, Broadhembury: the design of the turned balusters, the fielded panels and the ramped top rail all
the two, with a solid, often panelled, suggest an early 18th-century date. (All photos: Linda Hall)
lower section and decorative spindles
or balusters in the upper section. Pairs wrought iron spirals (page 14, upper left). to produce a more decorative effect).
of gates seem to be more common than The equally magnificent gates at St Peter’s, The balusters appear to be late 17th or
single gates and are often more pleasing Oundle (Northamptonshire) have heavily early 18th century in design, although
to the eye. moulded fielded panels, typical of the later the overall composition looks later
Some porch gates are almost doors 17th century, while ventilation is provided (page 14, lower right). Simpler versions
filling the entire arch, but qualify as in the upper section by a sunburst effect exist elsewhere. A door composed
gates by including ventilation in their of tapered slats radiating from the centre entirely of plain splats fills the arch at
design. The south porch of Holy Trinity, (page 14, upper right). St Peter’s, Wormleighton (Warwickshire)
Much Wenlock (Shropshire) has a Holy Cross, Sherston (Wiltshire) has and has a simple wooden latch. The
splendid pair of late 17th- or early 18th- a wooden porch with very striking and gates at St Mary’s, Priors Hardwick
century doors with alternating rows of unusual openwork gates composed of (Warwickshire) each have two recessed
tall and square fielded panels, with a elaborate ‘splat’ balusters set in a two- vertical panels with an upper section of
panelled top section almost filling the panelled framework under a cusped head vertical square struts; an 18th-century
head of the arch. The narrow gap left (splats are flat in profile and have either date seems likely. St Pol de Leon, Paul
for ventilation is filled with beautiful straight or symmetrically shaped sides (Cornwall) has a probably 19th-century
BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION 13with large panelled doors. The tops are
curved in such a way that when the gates
are closed they almost form a semicircle.
This feature is also found at St Cuthbert’s,
Wells, where the south porch gates
have fielded panels but no spikes, and at
St Saviour’s, Dartmouth (Devon), with
recessed moulded panels and very large
spikes with a spiral twist.
The same concave curve occurs at
St Brannoc’s, Braunton (Devon) where
Holy Trinity, Much Wenlock: these wonderful panelled the gates to the unused north porch
gates to the south porch date from the late 17th or early
18th century. The space for ventilation is unusually belong to the second type of gates, with
small and the ironwork takes the common form of a a framework of posts and rails infilled
lozenge-shaped spike with a spiral on each side.
with spindles, slats or ironwork. Here
St Peter, Oundle: these handsome doors date from the middle rail follows the curve of the
the late 17th century. The sunburst effect forming a top rail and the infill consists of slender
ventilation panel filling the head of the arch is most spindles of alternating twisted and ovolo-
unusual.
moulded design. The posts and rails have
a bead moulding and the gates are topped
with alternating leaf-shaped and twisted
iron spikes, now sadly rusting through the
paint. St Mary’s, Isle Abbotts (Somerset)
has more substantial alternating twisted
and turned spindles, a slightly curved top
rail and strap hinges which return down
the central posts. The handsome spikes
alternate simple lozenges with fleur-de-lys
designs. These both appear to date from
the 18th century but St Mary’s, Debenham
(Suffolk) has a pair of early 17th-century
gates with two rows of turned balusters
with slender spikes on top (page 15,
St Andrew’s, Cullompton: looking somewhat forlorn Holy Cross, Sherston: this wooden porch and its lower left). The steep stair in the western
in the unused south porch, these gates of Chinese openwork gates with dramatic cusping superficially two-storey ‘porch’ (Pevsner calls it a
Chippendale design are nevertheless impressive and look 19th century, but the design of the splat
unusual, with beautifully executed ironwork. balusters suggests that it may be 18th century. Galilee) has newels and balusters of the
same design. The disused south porch
version, with a smaller, solid section gates, inscribed ‘THO : BENGOVGH : of St Andrew’s, Cullompton (Devon)
comprising narrow flush planks. AND : IO : BADHAM WARDENS : has unusual Chinese Chippendale gates
17th-century gates are often of ANO DMI 1678’. The gates are topped by topped with tall spikes with multiple
plank construction with moulded fillets curved sections bearing a row of sharp scrolls which probably date from 1770–90
covering the joints. At St James, Charfield iron spikes; the wood is less weathered (page 14, lower left). The lower section of
(Gloucestershire) the strap hinges run and it is tempting to believe these sections saltire crosses appears to be a repair and
under the fillets and are set into the were added in the 18th century (page 15, may not follow the original design.
planks, while a strong drawbeam and lower right). Most gates of this type are much
lock on the inner face show that they The two-panelled gates at St Martin, less decorative and can be plain in the
meant business. The gates at St James, Dunton (Buckinghamshire) have ramped extreme, but visit on a sunny day and
Dursley (Gloucestershire) could be tops and date from the early 18th century. their shadows on the porch floor can
earlier, perhaps even 16th century. They They are quite low and would be easy be dramatic. Top rails may be straight,
have a simpler moulding to the applied to climb over were it not for the row of have a gentle downward curve, or be
fillets which divide each gate into five fearsome spikes along the top. The gates ramped at the ends and may have a simple
vertical panels with rounded heads. at St Mary’s, Winterborne Stickland bead moulding. Studs can be square
Heavy strap hinges run under the fillets (Dorset) are taller and also have a ramped or set diamond-wise, while the splats
and the gates are topped by alternating top and spikes, but are constructed of two may be plain or have decorative tops.
plain and four-pronged wrought iron layers of planks, the inner layer horizontal St Mary’s, Grosmont (Monmouthshire)
spikes (page 15, main). The timber west and the outer layer set diagonally. The has decorative splats with finials on
porch at St Bartholomew, Otford (Kent) north porch of Wells Cathedral has even the side posts of each gate. All Saints,
has square-headed plank doors with taller ramped-top gates, each with nine Monksilver (Somerset) has a ramped
heavy applied mouldings forming six recessed moulded panels. The strap top rail, bead mouldings on the main
panels on each. The porch is ventilated hinges are the full width of the gate, the members and diamond studs with a little
by sturdy turned balusters running the upper ones following the curve of the finial on each. Like many gates, they have
length of each side and is dated 1637 on a ramped top. The spikes are attached to been extended to fill the entire arch with
decorative pendant at the apex of the roof. the top of the gates by a metal plate which a modern framework and metal mesh.
The north porch of St Mary, Pembridge folds over the sides. Inside the cathedral The charmingly rustic gate at All Saints,
(Herefordshire) has a pair of four-panelled at the west end are two pairs of gates Billesley (Warwickshire) also has diamond
14 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITIONstuds with little finials and a curved top
rail. The otherwise plain splats at St Peter
and St Paul, Kedington (Suffolk) end in a
little twist and the gates have a dramatic
curve, with the tallest splats in the centre,
while St Mary, Gislingham in the same
county has a single gate with three rails,
the top one curved, and plain splats.
Many iron gates follow the
same basic pattern of vertical and
horizontal members, with more or
less embellishment depending on size,
location and date. Many are very hard
to date but some certainly date back to
the 18th century. The west porch gates at
St Mary’s, Usk (Monmouthshire) have a
central spiral finial that looks 18th century,
while St Oswald, Malpas (Cheshire) has
a fine pair of wrought iron gates made by
Thomas Tomlinson in 1767 (Pevsner).
Perhaps the most attractive gates
are those which have a lower panelled St James, Dursley: the solid plank gates in the south porch have applied fillets with a simple hollow moulding
creating five vertical round-headed panels on each gate.
section and an open upper section filled
with turned balusters, simpler studs, or
ironwork. The lower section may have
a single horizontal panel on each gate
(St Martin, Elworthy, Somerset), one
large square panel (St Mary, Dunsford,
Devon) or two vertical panels (St Andrew,
Broadhembury, Devon). At St James,
Dorney (Buckinghamshire) the brick
porch is dated 1661 and the pair of gates is
undoubtedly the same date. Each has four St Mary’s, Debenham: the gates have two rows of
turned gun-barrel balusters above a plain turned balusters of simple design, symmetrical St Mary’s, Pembridge: the north porch gates are
panel with applied moulding forming a about the centre and dating from the 17th century. inscribed with the names of the churchwardens and
Although there is a keyhole and a row of spikes, it the date 1678. The upper curved section carrying the
lozenge. Broadhembury (page 13) and is hard to take these gates seriously as a security plain spikes looks less weathered and may have been
Puddletown have very attractive turned measure. added later.
balusters of early 18th-century design and
while the latter has simple spikes along balusters of a simple design typical of the Much simpler but equally pleasing
the top, the former has the most elaborate mid- to later-18th century, with a ramped ironwork partially fills the round
set of scrolled spikes above a row of egg top rail and no spikes. arch at St Martin, Welton-le-Marsh
and dart moulding, with a rosette at The single gate at St Mary’s, (Lincolnshire), where the western tower
each outer corner. Pevsner calls it ‘a C17 Nettlecombe (Somerset) has two forms a porch. The simple gates have
wooden gate’ (at least he noticed it). horizontal panels and an open section plain vertical slats above flush panels,
St Peter’s, Shaftesbury (Dorset) has with moulded studs and rails forming but the lintel carries five decorative
equally extravagant features, with the three rows of six squares. The only spikes, graded in size, each with a twisted
curved and moulded top rail of each gate remotely similar gate is at St Melangell, central shaft carrying four leaves.
finished with a beautiful scroll. The iron Pennant Melangell (Montgomeryshire), Historic church porches are
spikes have tightly curled scrolls, with where the pair of gates bears the date 1763 often full of interest. Outside there
an S-shaped scroll atop the outer post. and the initials ‘SO’ and ‘EM’, presumably may be boot scrapers or a decorative
Instead of turned balusters there are the churchwardens of the time. Here each path; inside may be old benches, an
four diamond-section studs in each gate. gate has two square fielded panels, with interesting floor or roof, or a holy
Diamond studs are also found in the very an open lattice above formed from plain water stoup. Linking the two are the
handsome gates in the north porch at slats, and like Nettlecombe the top rail porch gates, of a huge variety of styles
St Mary’s, Usk (Monmouthshire), where is ramped. The execution is much less and dates but always worth a closer
they are finished with tiny sharply pointed precise, however, and nothing is quite look. The author would be delighted to
finials. Medbourne (Leicestershire) square, giving a rustic charm. hear of other interesting examples.
also has diamond studs which protrude Even more unusual are the handsome
through the ramped top rails, and the gates at St Mary’s, Ross-on-Wye LINDA HALL BA FSA (lindajhall61@googlemail.
gates are finished with ball finials on both (Herefordshire) which have the upper com) has spent many years examining fixtures
inner and outer posts. They are fastened panels filled with elaborate wrought and fittings in houses, but churches are her
by a simple iron hasp and a modern ironwork. Further ironwork on top of first love, inspired by the acquisition of I-Spy
padlock, and were perhaps more effective the ramped and moulded top rail fills Churches and The Observer Book of Churches
at keeping dogs out than humans. the space between the gates and the at the age of ten. She is the author of Period
Dunsford (Devon) has slender turned ironwork filling the head of the arch. House Fixtures and Fittings 1300–1900.
BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITION 15THE CATHEDRAL
WORKS YARD
Antony Lowe
T
HE UK’S towering gothic
cathedrals form a fundamental
part of our tangible heritage,
continuing to draw in the religious and
secular alike. Celebrated as the pinnacle
of artistic, architectural and engineering
achievement, these buildings are also the
repository of an often untold narrative of
cyclical renewal, inspiration and growth.
Central to this process of rebirth is the
cathedral works department.
Of the 42 Anglican cathedrals in
the UK, nine retain their own dedicated
body of craftspeople, including York,
Lincoln, Worcester, Winchester,
Salisbury, Durham, Canterbury, Exeter
and Gloucester. At the heart of these
works departments is a people-based
enterprise, but there is no set model
dictating their form or management.
There are variations in structure,
professional association and remit. Some
have a full range of trades, whereas
others are predominantly formed of A temporary masons’ workshop on the North Green in the 1860s (Photo: Lincoln Cathedral Works Yard Archive)
stonemasons and glaziers, a natural focus
given the nature of the buildings on consistent gaps in the supply of
which they work. Some work solely on craftspeople with a specific background
the cathedral and its ancillary buildings, in historic building conservation, as
whereas others also take on external well as the loss of existing skills through
commercial contracts. Furthermore, retirement. So at a time when the ultimate
in some cathedrals all the craftspeople sustainability of key sector skills is being
operate as one unit, whereas in others questioned, it is important to recognise
the association is less rigidly fixed in the these sites and organisations as both
cathedral’s organisational structure. historically-important and active assets so
The common unifying factor, however, that they can be managed, developed and
is that they all exist solely because of protected effectively.
the cathedral. They operate from a
workshop, or a series of workshops, LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
generally clustered close to one another In order to understand the wider works
within the immediate environment department sector, it is worth considering
of the cathedral itself. The archetype one particular example in detail. Lincoln
would be a vernacular workshop tucked Cathedral Works Yard houses a full range
away in its own corner of the cathedral of craftspeople including stonemasons,
close with an enclosed yard buried stone conservators, joiners, carpenters, Craftspeople working on the cathedral in the 1860s
(Photo: Lincoln Cathedral Works Yard Archive)
by unworked piles of raw stone. lead-workers, glaziers and an archivist,
Today the evolution and management as well as engineering and grounds
of these workshops takes place against a maintenance staff. This multidisciplinary century chapter house and the cathedral’s
wider narrative of declining craft skills. body is based on a single site situated east end. The ‘yard’ is simultaneously
Reports from sector-level organisations at the north east end of the cathedral a physical historic place and a body of
such as Historic England have highlighted close, immediately east of the 13th- craftspeople whose skills are valued both
16 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 25 TH ANNUAL EDITIONYou can also read
