At the start of November there were finally some signs of change and development from St Matthews as the scaffold started going up. However, this doesn’t mean we were not busy in the run up to this visual work. There were more surveys to be conducted, discussions with the conservation officer in the council about the proposed works and lots of different contractors to call and show round while we collected quotes on the roof work, scaffolding, windows, asbestos removal and stonework. We started calling this work ‘Phase 1’ all the external work to try and waterproof the building and make repairs which required the scaffold.
As the building became legally ours the extent of the work started to become more clear. The roof really was in a poor state and the majority of the internal flooring was rotten through. In the north wing of the building the floors were only being help up by the vinyl flooring glued into the walls. That gives an idea of some of the damage to the roofs, windows and flooring. there was wet and dry rot infecting most of the internal walls and floors.
We discovered there was a basement/cellar when the team surveying the floors fell through a particularly crumbly and rotten pice of floor. This was an exciting discovery. The space in the cellar is variable; in some areas just a few feet but in others, a good 6 foot. Although not deep enough to have a useable space, it does potentially give us a great storage area. The downside was that we finally found some asbestos in the cellar, until then we were clear. This was removed and cleaned up as the first job by some professionals.
Here are a few photos of the state of the building. You can see the very poor state of the roof. At first, before the scaffold was erected, we had hoped that we might just be able to repair the roof and the few scattered loose tiles. Unfortunately when we got up close we realised the slates were all in very poor condition. They were cracked and coated with a bitumen like paint, there was also evidence of a previous poor repair job. In the end we needed to totally repair all the roofs to make sure we future proofed the roofs for many decades to come.
And so the scaffolders started….
This was day one of scaffolders on site (left). They worked very quickly and in only a couple of days the majority of the external frame was erected. Then it didn’t take long for the roofers to start. What a difference a new roof makes!
WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT?
Now the scaffold is up the roofers can start work on the top roof. We are also starting to get some quotes for the repairs needed for the stonework and the new windows. We need to cut out those trees growing out of the roof and have a closer look at the damage that has been caused. The huge trees which sit around the edge of the building are going to be chopped back to allow more light and access for deliveries but also start getting them better under control once again.
WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT?
Now the scaffold is up the roofers can start work on the top roof. We are also starting to get some quotes for the repairs needed for the stonework and the new windows. We need to cut out those trees growing out of the roof and have a closer look at the damage that has been caused. The huge trees which sit around the edge of the building are going to be chopped back to allow more light and access for deliveries but also start getting them better under control once again.
PRAYER POINTS
PRAYER POINTS
- For the safety of the contractors on site
- For us to have opportunities to share the vision of the church and therefore the gospel message with contractors on site.
- For Gods favour in lining up the different contractors to start work in the right order.
- For the safety of the contractors on site
- For us to have opportunities to share the vision of the church and therefore the gospel message with contractors on site.
- For Gods favour in lining up the different contractors to start work in the right order.