Heritage project
Great News: Repairs were completed by Easter 2023!
The tower and vestry roofs have been replaced.
Stone work around the windows and cornice has been repaired or replaced with new stone.
The windows have been repaired and cleaned.
Still to follow are solar panels to be installed.
John Hallaway, Project Manager
07912861339
A look at the before and after of the stonework
Take a peek at what the stonework looked like before the repairs and what they now look like after the repairs and new stonework has been put in.
Be a stone mason day for school children
There were smiles all around in Skirlaugh as Pinnacle Conservation Ltd, a York based Conservation company, brought their skills and expertise to the Grade I listed St Augustine’s Church, Skirlaugh.
Adam Hickey, Managing Director, Stephanie O’Bee, Marketing Manager and stone masons Tom, Simon and John hosted an exciting day for primary school kids from Skirlaugh CE school and Sutton Park Primary School, with children from Sigglesthorne and Long Riston Schools visiting a couple of weeks before, teaching them all about the craft of stonemasonry along with involving the children in interactive sessions.
“What a great and unique experience today has been for them and us! It’s very important to keep one of the oldest trades alive” said stonemason Tom Farrell. “Seeing the children learn and take an interest in the craft, asking questions and enjoying themselves.”
The children took part in watching a stone get crafted into a piece that will be used on the upper cornice within St Augustine’s Church, which is being partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Tom took the children through the processes of stonemasonry, starting with the stencilling of the stone – this gave the children the opportunity to create their own stencil, using geometrics and mathematical skills.
They were also given the opportunity to create their very own mortar which they took home in small test tubes. The children were very engaged throughout the event asking questions and getting involved with the activities. As fun and exciting as this day was for the children, it was also a day for learning about safety around construction sites, with kids learning the importance of high vis vests and hard hats.
Adam Hickey was very enthusiastic about the role of teaching the children and enlightening them on the history and work undertaken by Pinnacle both internally and externally at the Church. “I want to show the children that it’s not just another building and hopefully make them think twice when they walk past about the history and how exactly it’s made,” said Adam Hickey showing his dedication to keeping one of the world’s oldest trades alive and well.
For more information on the Skirlaugh restoration project please visit www.skirlaughchurch.org.uk and to see more of Pinnacle’s work please visit www.pinnacleconservation.co.uk
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About St Augustine’s
St. Augustine’s Church was built in 1400 and is of national importance, being a Grade 1 listed building and one of the finest examples of perpendicular architecture in the country. It is built of a limestone ashlar and comprises Nave with concealed roof, west tower, and north vestry. Pevsner describes St. Augustine’s as 'a perfect piece of perpendicular architecture, perfect because, it was built, not only lavishly but also quickly and entirely to one plan'. That plan, and the finance, came from local boy made good, the diplomat and Bishop of Durham, Walter Skirlaw.
In the 1960s the nave roof was replaced with a stainless-steel construction, and major renovations took place were between 1981 and 1991 when, among other things, the stonework was re-pointed and some stones replaced. In 2009, the west end was adapted for multiple uses and a kitchen installed.
For more information on our church activities see the home page.
Sharing our heritage
We are proud of our superb church and, once the repairs are done, we want to share its heritage as widely as possible, both locally and further afield. We plan to tell the story of St Augustine's in three themes, each inspired by one of our stained glass windows. through lots of exciting activities for all ages . Our themes are:
MEDIEVAL TIMES - inspired by the East window which contains fragments of the original medieval glass and the initials ‘WS’
VICTORIAN TIMES - inspired by the stained-glass window in memory of a former Matron of the Skirlaugh Workhouse.
MODERN TIMES - inspired by all our remaining windows designed in the 1960’s by Ronald Sims and showing village development.
Skills Development will also be a part of the Heritage Project. We are planning:
Photography and creative writing activities led by a local artist.
An introduction to stone-masonry under professional guidance.
Digital media to tell our stories on the website and on in display(s) in church.
St Augustine's finances
St Augustine’s Church, Skirlaugh is cared for and managed entirely by local people through their weekly donations and voluntary efforts. Like other churches, it receives no subsidies from national organisations.
The last major renovation was carried out over 30 years ago, and time has taken its toll.
Eco Church
We intend to improve the environmental impact of Skirlaugh church. This will include the use of solar energy to pre-heat the building and magnetic conditioning as recommended by ‘Ecochurch’.
A Nature walk will include wildlife friendly wild areas.