St Matthew Church Surbiton, Surrey
Essential conservation work to preserve church tower for future generations.
What we did...
- Conservation & Restoration
- Stone Masonry Repairs
- Timber Restoration
- Glazing Repairs
- Construction
- Internal Refurbishment
- Drainage / Lighting Alterations
- Specialist Services
USL were pleased to work on the conservation works at this large stone-faced church in Surbition Surrey, built in 1874-75 to the design of architect C L Luck. St Matthew is listed Grade II church, in the Gothic style with Kentish ragstone and limestone dressings.
Following a regular architects’ inspection found that there was significant deterioration and serious faults with its tower and spire, and had been put on the “at risk” register by Historic England.
St Matthew Church was awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to carry out essential conservation work to preserve the church for future generations.
USL carried out extensive masonry restoration and repairs to the buildings’ square tower crowned with a tall octagonal stone spire. The steeply pitched roofs covered in clay tiles suffered from erosion of stone, pointing and embedded ironwork resulted in the cracking of stonework. The USL team removed the ferrous metal in the spire and overhauled the cross and weather vane as well as implemented repairs to the belfry windows, tower parapets and guttering, improvements to the belfry, installed CCTV and refurbished the WCs facilities in the hall to include three new fully accessible toilets.
Restoration works undertaken;
- Extensive repointing of the tower and spire
- Repairs/overhaul to weathervane/cross (the removal of ferrous metal in the spire)
- Stone repair on tower pinnacles
- New Stone Carvings (Finials)
- Removal of Bells for Restoration
- Repairs to belfry windows, tower parapets and guttering
- Timber restoration in ringing chambers
- Overhaul and improvements of access to and winthin the belfry
- Internal works included the reconstruction and refurbishing the WCs/lobby in the hall to include 3 new toilets with full accessibility.
- Lighting additions
“We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The church has been an important focal point for the community for the past 140 years, and it’s great to know that we are a step closer to preserving it for another century or more.”
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