Roof Repairs to ‘Magnificent’ Dorset Church Recognised with Architecture Award

THE GRADE I LISTED St Peter and St Paul Church in Blandford Forum has won the ‘King of Prussia Gold Medal’ at the Church Architecture Awards.

The Georgian church has recently been restored and repaired, led by Benjamin+Beauchamp architects.

The Church of England Dorset church, which dates back to 1257, includes a pulpit believed to have been first designed by Sir Christopher Wren for the church of St Antholin in the City of London.

Historic England describes the Church of St Peter and St Paul as a prime example of Georgian church architecture outside London. It was rebuilt after a fire between 1732 and 1739 by local builders John and William Bastard.

Roof Repairs

The church’s five-year £10,000 major roofing works completed last year included repairs to the timber roof structure and areas of lead work, a full tile re-roof, stonework conservation, plaster repairs and the renovation and redecoration of the apse to re-gild its ‘hemi-dome’.

The roof repairs included restoration of a cupola, crowning the tower. When the church was rebuilt in the 18^th century, it was originally intended that a spire should be constructed on the top of the tower. However, funds had run out so the cupola was hastily designed by the Bastard brothers. After suffering years of neglect, the restoration included a local artist repainting four curlicues on the base’s corners.

The completed restoration project means that the building is now watertight. As a result, it is expected that the church will soon by removed from Historic England’s At Risk Register.

Award

The church restoration project has now received an award from the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association. Architects, Benjamin + Beauchamp were recognised for ‘The Big Church Project’, with judges praising the use of local trades for key parts of the project, including the new plaster cornices being cast within walking distance of the church.

Patron of the Association, Prince Nicholas von Preussen, presented the King of Prussia Gold Medal to representatives from the church for high quality church conservation or repair work that overcomes the greatest aesthetic or technical challenge.

The Prince said: “This church that is now watertight. Roof insulation is being installed across the whole building to ensure increased thermal efficiency. Georgian plasterwork that had been damaged by water ingress has been repaired, and the apse at the west end of the building has been restored, repainted and re-gilded. It looks magnificent.”

The award and a cheque for £500 for the church was presented to Sara Loch, Project Co-ordinator from St Peter and St Paul Church and Tom Griffin, from Benjamin+Beauchamp architects.

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