Heritage North West

Christ Church Renovation

Christ Church, Didsbury

Christ Church in Didsbury, a grade two listed building, is part way through a renovation set to repair the roof and make it more energy efficient.

Work began in June 2012 and the project completion date is set for the end of 2014.

Premier Construction spoke to Anne Pilkington, Christ Church’s Rector, about the ongoing works. Anne said:

Work has just finished on phase one of the project which included renewing the lead work and overflow shoots on the roof and installing new pointing. Rainwater goods, parapets, gutters were repaired and we hope to carry out some consequential redecoration.

Christ Church, Didsbury

 

We were unable to do the decoration work as dry rot was discovered; the next phase will therefore deal with the dry rot. Stainless steel will be installed on the roof and more work will be conducted on the overflow shoots and gutters.”

The works have not disrupted the operation of the church too severely as most of the scaffolding was erected outside the building. The large church, where worship is conducted, has chairs instead of pews and so the church layout has been able to be easily adapted around any internal works occurring over the past year.

Anne said:

We have worked around the development well on a Sunday-to-Sunday basis. There have been times when the church has not looked its best because it has been sheeted up; however on the whole it’s not been too disruptive.”

Christ Church, Didsbury

Christ Church has secured the majority of the funding for the first phase of the redevelopment project from English Heritage, under the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme. Other bodies that have supplied funds to the project are Theodore Tarsus Trust, Manchester Diocese, Allchurches Trust,Garfield Western Foundation, and the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund. The church also fundraised locally.

The cost to repair this historic Mancunian landmark will cost an estimated £350,000. £175,000 has been spent so far on the project and the church already have a principal offer on a grant from English heritage to fund the second stage of the repair project.

The church is in the process of investigating the dry rot and submitting reports and architect reports to English Heritage following the initial grant offer. The works will go out to tender before the end of this year.

Christ Church, Didsbury

 

Oldham based Bullen Conservation were the main contractor on the first phase of works at Christ Church. The company provide specialist masonry and conservation services on historic, ecclesiastical and commercial developments.

With the aim of preserving historic buildings for future generations Bullen Conservation was the ideal choice for this regeneration project at Christ Church. The company preserve buildings in a manner that is in keeping with the traditional methods of construction.

Bullen have been involved in numerous prestigious projects including The Royal Academy of Arts in London and Manchester’s Royal Buildings. Alan Jackson was the architects on the project.

Anne Pilkington said the renovation meant a lot to the church and its congregation. She added:

Part of the work in phase two involves insulation as well so we will have a dry church and a more energy efficient building as well. The Building is widely used and so is an important part of the community. The church is used throughout the year by Manchester Chamber Choir, Didsbury Arts Festival, as well as the actual congregation.

Christ Church, Didsbury

We want the building to be fit for purpose for the coming years; it will not look much different but it’ll be nicely decorated and it will be watertight and more energy efficient we hope.”

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