Project Announcement: St Clement Danes, the Central Church of the RAF Embarks on Steeple Dismantling and Rebuilding Programme

Universal Stone Ltd. is honoured to announce an exciting new restoration project in partnership with the Trustees of St Clement Danes Church Fund.  As the Principal Contractor, our conservation team and stonemasons will be dismantling and rebuilding the historic steeple.

Located in central London on The Strand, St Clement Danes has numerous characteristics that set it apart from normal parish churches. With over 1000 years of history, it was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and the steeple added later by James Gibb. St Clement Danes was re-consecrated in 1958, following near destruction in WWII, as the memorial church to those who have lost their lives whilst serving in the RAF; it now commemorates over 150,000 people by name in the Books of Remembrance.

The programme of essential works will include stone dismantling, off-site stone cleaning and repairs, stone production and replacement, stone rebuilding and associated works to lead coverings, railings and weathervane. The rebuilding of the steeple will see each element reinstated in its exact initial position so as to not deviate from the original design.

Daniel Johnstone, USL Contracts Manager for the project commented,

“This is a fantastic project to be involved in. It is always a privilege to be able to work on these historic buildings and ensure their preservation for future generations to enjoy. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this project progress in partnership with the client and wider team.”

This exciting restoration programme has been made possible by the successful fundraising efforts of the 1941 Appeal. St Clement Danes initiated a fundraising campaign known as the 1941 Appeal in 2022. The first pillar of the Appeal focuses on the restoration of the historic steeple. The fundraising efforts culminated in a generous donation from the Royal Air Force, which has enabled the commencement of this steeple restoration programme.

Works officially commenced in July 2024 with the erection of hoarding and scaffolding and the first stone will be lifted from the steeple in October.

The project is a 73-week programme that will complete in December 2025. This Grade I listed church will remain open throughout the works with a regular programme of services and events continuing as normal.

We are pleased to be collaborating with St Clement Danes, the RAF, Stace LLP, Sheppard Architects and Hurst Peirce + Malcolm LLP on this collaborative restoration of the steeple to ensure the protection and preservation of this historic church for future generations. We look forward to publishing interactive progress updates on the restoration works.

USL extends our heartfelt thanks to all those who have made donations toward the 1941 Appeal to make this project possible.

If you have any questions regarding this exciting new project, feel free to contact the USL team on: 01245 326 721 or USLenquiries@universalstone.co.uk

Please visit St Clement Danes website for more information on the 1941 Appeal.

https://stclementdanesraf.org/1941-2021/

We look forward to providing you with further updates on this project.