Results of the Building Survey

In 2023 the Church asked our architects, Crosby Granger Architects Ltd (CGA) of Kendal to conduct a detailed survey of the building. The following is a summary of the survey.

Crosby Granger concluded that whilst the Church was in generally good condition, there were some very serious issues.

The pointing on the tower was unsatisfactory and was letting water get into the tower and preventing it escaping. This is evident in the photograph of one of the windows of the tower where algae is growing on the top arch. At some stage in the past, the tower has been pointed with cement pointing, which allows water in through cracks but prevents water getting out. In addition to retaining water, in places the soft sandstone is being damaged. the water retention has caused some timbers in the tower to rot resulting in the clock removal. Buildings of this type were originally lime pointed and lime rendered which allows for some water ingress but also allows water out. A very detailed study of this approach has been carried out by Dr Tim Meek and the following study – https://www.storre.stir.ac.uk/handle/1893/34971

In addition to the issues with the stone work pointing, one of the tower pinnacles has cracked and needs replacing.

The west door at the base of the tower is one of the earlier parts of the building. There is evidence of erosion of the stonework and we need to undersand the cause and what can be done to prevent further deterioration.

The Church had its roof replaced in the 19th Century with a mixture of new and reused slates. Many of the slates are now delaminating and the nails are rusting. In addition the headlap that has been used is not sufficient for the type of rain we are now getting.

These findings concur with our own experience of having to use buckets inside the building to collect water from leaks during heavy rain.

In addition to the survey of the building there has been a detailed drainage survey.