Following the collapse of sections of the ceiling at St Mary’s Church, a detailed survey revealed that much of the remaining plaster was unstable and required urgent attention.

Our immediate priority was to make the building safe while allowing the church to continue holding services. We installed protective netting beneath the affected ceiling, providing a temporary safety measure while we obtained the necessary Listed Building Consent to undertake the restoration works.

Once consent was granted, The full ceiling plaster was carefully removed and damaged timber laths were repaired. The ceiling was then re-plastered throughout, with particular care taken to protect the church’s historic rafters. Each individual rafter was wrapped in protective plastic sheeting to safeguard the original timber during the works.

Alongside the internal restoration, we carried out external render and roofing repairs to address water ingress and reduce moisture within the building, helping to prevent a recurrence of the ceiling deterioration. The project also included repairs to the church’s boundary wall, which was re-rendered using traditional lime render to maintain the character and breathability of the historic structure.

This project demonstrates our commitment to sensitive heritage restoration, combining traditional building techniques with practical solutions to protect historic fabric and ensure the long-term preservation of important buildings.