London & South East

Restoring All Saints Church

All Saints Church- Kingston, Surrey

Work to repair and redevelop All Saints Church in Kingston, Surrey continues to make great progress.

The project comprises the update and improvement of electrical and heating systems; the creation of a new entrance to improve access and the repair and restoration of stonework and roofing. New toilet facilities are also being installed, along with a services room.

In addition, work is also being undertaken to develop the church’s choir vestry to create a joint choir vestry/heritage interpretation space.

Work began on All Saints Church in February 2013 and is currently scheduled to reach completion in July 2014. The work is being divided into three phases, concentrating on the north, west and east areas of the building.

Phase One focuses on the northern areas of the building, which includes the creation of the new door, the services room and the choir vestry/heritage interpretation space, along with the installation of two toilets. Once work is complete on the first phase of the project Phase Two will get underway and will comprise the repair of flooring, heating and lighting and some decoration works to the west side of the church.

The third phase of the project will see repairs to the heating and lighting systems within the eastern area of the church.

In addition to the works a two-storey building to provide community facilities is also being planned.

Daedalus Conservation is the main contractor on the project, with Ian Gangadeen as the site manager. Whilst work is ongoing on the project, All Saints Church remains open to the public.

All Saints Church- Kingston, Surrey

Commenting on the work so far, All Saints Church rector, Reverend Jonathan Wilkes, said:

“Building is a noisy and messy business, so we are extremely fortunate that our contractors, Daedalus Conservation are fantastic people to work with and are being very considerate. At present we are approximately halfway through Phase One and work is going well.”

Reverend Wilkes, added:

“All Saints Church is located within a nationally important town, where the first king of England was crowned. Around 21 million people come to Kingston each year, either to shop, eat or attend the theatre and as we are right in the heart of the town we always feel that the church provides the town with a community, cultural and heritage space.

“The church hasn’t had the facilities that it has needed in the past, so for a building like this to continue to fulfil its potential we have had to invest in its restoration.”

Reverend Wilkes, concluded:

“If we were unable to implement the repairs at All Saints Church then we would make do and get on with things as best we could, however what we have here is a fantastic opportunity to develop the church further and we are embracing this opportunity.”

Architectural stone mason specialists, Albion Stonemasons Ltd is responsible for the repair and conservation of existing masonry and flint on All Saints Church. In addition, the company is also supplying and fixing new stonework to the north areas and the service room.

Albion Stonemasons Ltd Company Director, Mick Bushell, said:

“We value our role on this restoration project. The client is great, there is a really good team involved and it is a worthwhile project.”

Ark Stained Glass & Leaded Lights Ltd is responsible for the removal and restoration of leaded lights, the restoration of metal casements and the replacement of missing ‘antique glass’ to match the original glass on the project.

Tony O’Donnell, Director of Ark Stained Glass & Leaded Lights Ltd, said:

“It is great to be involved with this project and to be working alongside Daedalus Conservation, a key client in the restoration industry. This is an historic church and we are delighted to be involved with its restoration.”

All Saints is the church of the ancient parish which at one time stretched from Molesey to Richmond. The church is open every day and has a long standing musical tradition which includes Sunday and occasional weekday choir services.

For more information on All Saints Church, please visit: www.allsaintskingston.co.uk.

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