In October 2009 St. Stephen’s congregation had to move out of St. Stephen’s Church for major structural repairs – this is the story of what’s been happening …
May 2009 … the chancel of the church (altar end) cracked from floor to ceiling making the East wall (adjacent to M&S) unstable
October 2009… the congregation moved out and services are held in Chantry Hall (next to the Assembly Rooms)
November & December 2009… restoration work commences … the church is protected and the East window removed … an archaeological dig takes place prior to restoration work
January, February & March 2010… deep excavations to place concrete blocks under foundations
April, May & June 2010… concrete piles are put in – some up to 18m deep to stabilize the church. Crack stops ‘moving’ after 1 year
July & August 2010… mending the crack begins and ‘tying’ the walls together
September & October 2010… securing ties are put into the wall at the top of the crack just under the roof & inside the church
November & December 2010... new doorway is made from the ‘old’ vestry to the chancel and a floor laid
January, February, March & April 2011… – the new toilet area begins to take shape and clear glazing of the East window prior to re-installation of stained glass the exterior scaffolding is removed and repaired stonework cleaned
May, June, July & August 2011… (photos L to R) doorway emerging, plastering and window replacement at the East (altar) end
and…. new floor with underfloor heating at the altar end
Winter 2011
The reredos and nave ledgers are re-installed
… and ground works commence for underfloor heating
What’s going to happen next?
… the stained glass in the East window will be put back
…the altar and office will be re-instated and alterations will take place including new toilets and new church floor
…installing new heating
and… re-opening in 2012
