Ecclesiastical - Blair Gratton Architects Limited

13 April, 202313 April, 2023

Critical Masonry Works to Protect an Important Grade II* Church

Earlier in the year we worked as Church Architects with a specialist stonemason to carry out masonry repair works in order to protect an important Derbyshire church. Areas of the masonry were at risk: a potential disaster for both the community it serves and the architectural heritage which it embodies.

The PCC asked us to visit the Grade II* Listed Church and a report was swiftly prepared by ourselves for the areas of immediate importance. Ingress of water had led to cracking stonework, rusting ironwork, and instability.

Scaffolding was immediately erected and the works were carried out as quickly and safely as possible. Most notably the bottom half of the buttress pinnacle was cut and replaced like-for-like and fixed in place.

Read about a similar project regarding a truss repair to a church here.

Are you interested in working with an Architect? Read about what it means here.

6 April, 20233 April, 2023

New Wheelchair Friendly Platform for Derbyshire Church and Hall

See our latest update of the accessible platform project we are managing at a Church in Derbyshire. As Church Architect, we have designed a solution to a long-running problem.

The brief was to create a new accessway, linking the Nave of the Church – via the church hall – with the existing toilets at the northern entrance. The church hall has a lower floor level, with 2 sets of stairs to navigate. Currently, if unable to use the stairs, you must exit the church on the southern entrance and navigate round the entirety of the building footprint – not favourable in the worst of British weather.

The new hardwood platform will create a level route, making access through the church hall via wheelchair possible. An existing opening has been raised too, and the works are coming along nicely so far.

Keep a look out for future updates.

Read more about another church we have worked on here.

Are you interested in working with an Architect? Read about what it means here.

24 March, 202324 March, 2023

New Architect Designed Roof to Tower of Church

New hatch and leadwork
New leadwork and winters view

Last year marked the completion of a project to replace the roof of the church tower at St. Peter’s Church, which we administered as Church Architect.

An early example of structural concrete, thought to be constructed in the early 20th century, the roof replaced the original timber roof. However, after almost a century of use the roof was failing and beginning to crumble into the belfry, becoming an extreme hazard to the occupants and the integrity of the bell chamber below.

As Churches Architect, we were appointed from start to finish to carry out a survey and work with a specialist conservation Engineer to complete a proposal; timber frame with leadwork covering.

A tricky construction process – the only access to the roof was via tight spiral staircase – we worked as Principal Designer and managed the Building Contract with a specialist Contractor to agree a scaffolding solution which worked for all parties. Allowing the church to continue on with its activities and the Contractor to carry out the project in conjunction was important.

We re-visited this winter, to appreciate the quality of the works and admire the fantastic views in the snow fall.

Read more about another church we have worked on here.

Are you interested in working with an Architect? Read about what it means here.

9 November, 20229 November, 2022

Design & Completion of New Church Choir Stalls

In order to modernise the choir stalls at this Darley Abbey Church, we were asked – as long-running Church Architects – to reconfigure the existing design.

The requirements of the congregation had changed in recent years, with wheelchair accessibility a key factor in making the church choir area as open as possible.

The existing choir stalls were long individual structures, which we split into easier to move sections with new end panels. We introduced new rows to a complementary design. The stalls were carefully cut and re-constructed in their ‘bite-size’ sections, and the new stalls were constructed from scratch using quality materials. The new stalls and new sections were then varnished to match.

We worked through all RIBA Work Stages, including contract managing the works during construction, working with a reputable joinery-centric Contractor.

We are pleased to say that the congregation are delighted with the new choir stalls, and we have received nothing but positive words regarding them.

See our recent post regarding a truss repair project to a church we have been involved with here.

19 October, 202219 October, 2022

Quinquennial Inspection and Truss Repair Project to Derbyshire Church

As Church Architect to this Grade II Listed Chapel in Chesterfield we prepared a written detailed report on the condition of the building. During the inspection a broken truss was identified above the main Chapel. We detailed and managed the works from start to finish advising the Church Wardens and instructing the contractor.

Architects Quinquennial Inspection revealed view toward balcony of sagging ceiling. — View toward balcony of sagging ceiling.

We have been carrying out Quinquennial Inspections (5-year mandatory inspections) of churches for many decades, through the experience of Architects John Gratton and now Simon Gratton. We were appointed to carry out a Quinquennial inspection of a church in Calow, Derbyshire, and noticed something amiss when entering the Nave – the ceiling was sagging where the central truss sat.

Working with a conservation experienced contractor, we removed a portion of the ceiling to investigate. Scaffolding was erected carefully.

It was revealed the bottom chord of the truss had fallen away from the central post, destabilising the structural integrity of the truss and putting the roof at risk of collapse.

Working with a specialist conservation engineer, we proposed a solution to freeze the truss in place, stabilise it, and halt any further movement.

The pictures above show the truss when first opened up, the post clearly losing connection with the chord. We worked closely with the church and contractor to manage the project, get the solution in place, and allow the Church to return to normal services with the knowledge that their ceiling wasn’t close to falling down. All parties were pleased with the results.