Work under way at historic Bradford church (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Work under way at historic Bradford church

7:00am Saturday 6th October 2012 in News By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

A massive project to restore a 19th century Grade II Listed public landmark at a Bradford church is well under way.

The extensive work will cost £225,000 in total, and £20,000 still needs to be found to get the work completed.

Cash received so far to pay for work at St Paul’s Church in St Paul’s Avenue, Buttershaw, includes an English Heritage grant of £172,000.

The church was built in 1838 of sandstone “brick” with a slate roof and is described as a “simple Gothic revival style church”.

But the Pariochal Church Council (PCC) are still appealing for the £20,000 to ensure all the work can be completed.

Stuart Phillips, from the PCC, appealed for the public’s help in finding the remaining money.

“Up to eight foot of the spire was removed and cleaned and put back up,” he said.

“We hope to have that completed by the end of next week.

“We started all the work about a fortnight ago and expect to have it all finished by November.

“The windows have been taken out to be redone and there is a roof on the vestry being redone.

“We are fundraising and raised £700 with a table-top sale last week.”

The cash already secured will pay for the restoration work for the tower and includes dismantling the upper course of the spire and the lightning conductor, repairing and renewing damaged stone, and re-building and re-pointing defective masonry joints.

Further work involves a new low-pitch vestry roof with stainless roof coverings and parapet gutter linings, and replacing rainwater downpipes and hoppers in cast iron.

An inspection report in 2009 identified that urgent repairs were needed to the spire and temporary work was carried out to prevent collapse.

The report also identified the health and safety issues raised by access to the bell chamber by a wooden Jacob’s ladder. That has been made safe.

Although English Heritage has been the main grant provider, the parish have also received £23,000 worth of help from other bodies, including £4,000 from the Bradford Diocesan Church Buildings Fund, £10,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, £2,500 from the Yorkshire Historic Church Trust, £2,000 from the All Churches Trust – Ecclesiastical Insurance Company, £1,500 from the Alan Evans Memorial Trust and £3,000 from a parishioner.

The parish has also been working hard to make up the rest with a series of money-raising efforts, including coffee mornings, classic car rides, a table -top sale and concerts.

These events have raised £3,000 and there are two more concerts, a Christmas fair and a Christmas market to come.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the restoration project can send donations to the PCC c/o Michael Bennett, treasurer, 88 Fair Road, Wibsey, Bradford BD6 1QL.