Four churches spires across Greater Manchester have been identified as being at risk as a save our spires appeal is launched by the National Churches Trust.
St Mark’s and the Holy a Trinity Churches in Oldham, St Mark’s in Worsley and St Paul’s in Ramsbottom join a list of forty across the country, in a report that highlights the plight of crumbling church spires around the UK, many of which are in need of urgent repair.
Damage to parish church spires includes, Stone decay and deterioration, Rusting to iron cramps used in Victorian spires to hold masonry together, Woodpecker damage to wooden spires and High winds and heavy rain leading to weakened spires.
The church of St Mark in Glodwick is said to be in a bad condition. Built in 1875 in a Gothic style of rusticated coursed and squared rubble with Welsh slate roofs containing scalloped cut grey banding. The tower and spire are landmarks in the area. Inside, the nave arcade is on polished granite columns. The building is generally in very bad condition with the roof and high level stonework of particular concern.
Surveyors said the roof and high level stonework were of particular concern and the height and inaccessibility of spires means churches have difficulty monitoring their condition and cannot undertake any regular preventative maintenance.
Over the last three years, the National Churches Trust has helped fund repairs to 17 parish church spires in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, investing over £370,000 in their future.
Now the Trust is seeking to raise at least a further £250,000 to help fund repairs to more parish church spires and ensure that these key architectural features continue to grace villages, towns and cities throughout the UK. The Trust is also urging people to support churches fundraising to repair spires as the cost of this work is far beyond the ability of most congregations to pay for. (The ‘Save our Spires’ appeal only involves parish churches as the National Churches Trust does not fund Cathedral buildings.)
Repairs to church spires are expensive, partly due to the costs of erecting scaffolding and the specialist work required by stonemasons and structural engineers. The height and inaccessibility of spires also means churches have difficulty monitoring their condition and cannot undertake any regular preventative maintenance.
Claire Walker, CEO of the National Churches Trust said:
“Soaring high above their surroundings, church spires were often built as an attempt to get as close to Heaven as possible. Sadly, these days many are in danger of going in the other direction.”
“Church spires are a key feature of the UK’s landscape. It’s no surprise that many people’s favourite churches have spires, including Joanna Lumley OBE, whose favourite church is St Bride’s in the City of London, the inspiration for tiered wedding cakes and Michael Palin, one of whose favourite churches is St John’s Church in Ranmoor which has the tallest spire in Sheffield.”
“Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, in the last three years we have been able to help fund repairs to 17 spires in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
“Now, through our ‘Save our Spires’ appeal, we want to be able to continue to work with congregations and other funders to help repair more of the UK’s church spires. I also hope that in cities, towns and villages where spires are at risk, people of all faiths and none will support the fundraising efforts of local churches seeking to repair these amazing architectural achievements so that they can be enjoyed by our children and children’s children.”
