Plaster conservation for precious Victorian architectural gem

19th April 2022

Conservation and repair work to the tower of the Saltaire United Reformed Church (URC) and its internal plaster ceiling, which were damaged during storms in 2020 is now underway.

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

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 have held services online. They are now looking forward to worshipping in the church once more from Palm Sunday 10 April, now that restrictions related to Covid-19 have been fully lifted.

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.”

Saltaire URC is the only Grade 1 listed building owned by the United Reformed Church.