RESTORATION work is beginning on one of Bradford's most historic churches.

The news comes as the Grade I listed Saltaire United Reformed Church, on Victoria Road, commissioned and paid for by Sir Titus Salt in the mid-19th century, also recently reopened for worship by members of its congregation.

The United Reformed Church Yorkshire announced the restoration works to the tower of Saltaire church and its internal plaster ceiling, which were damaged during storms in 2020, are now underway under the care of Cliveden Conservation.

The specialist work involves expert plaster conservators recreating moulds to make the plaster features that have been lost or damaged, as well as delicate lathe and plaster restoration, using materials that match the existing as near as possible.

Keith Learoyd, commercial manager for Cliveden Conservation, said: “The whole team is privileged to be involved in such an important project, carrying out the repairs which will form another chapter in the life of the building for years to come."

Due to storm damage, which caused part of the ceiling to collapse, the church closed to public worship in February 2020.

Since that time and throughout the pandemic, the congregation has held services online.

They have been looking forward to worshipping in the church again and their first service back, now that restrictions related to Covid-19 have been fully lifted, was Palm Sunday on April 10.

Worshippers access the church via an entrance via the doors on the south side of the building.

Saltaire URC, which also houses the mausoleum where Sir Titus and his family are buried, is the only Grade 1 listed building owned by the United Reformed Church.

When the ceiling collapsed in 2020, the Rev Caroline Andrews told the T&A: "It's devastating. Absolutely devastating.

"While it's terrible that the ceiling has come down, we're really counting our blessings that people weren't injured.

"With it being a world heritage site, we have so many people that would pop in on the Sunday. The church is also packed out every Christmas, every Easter."

Shortly after the collapse, Maria Glot, a Saltaire UNESCO World Heritage tour guide, talked about the building's importance to Bradford.

She said: "It's the Saltaire church. I love the building because it oozes history, totally oozes. They have generations of people who have lived and worshipped in Saltaire.

"It's a symbol of the wealth and the skills this area has to offer. The beautiful architecture, the beautiful pillars, the ornate plasterwork. These are all skills of the incredible craftsmen that makes an amazing place to live and visit."