A 200-year-old Brighton church is preparing to take down the scaffolding that has hidden its tower for the past 11 years.
The team at St Peter’s Church, fondly known as Brighton’s cathedral, hopes to start removing the wrapping and the poles behind it from the late summer.
Restoration work started inside the church – the gateway to Brighton where the roads from London and Lewes meet – in 2009.
Major work on the external stonework started five years later in 2014 when the scaffolding went up with a protective wrap.
But now the £3 million restoration is nearing completion and the project team hope that the scaffolding can start to be dismantled later in the summer.
The project team said: “Among the major achievements of this phase is the full restoration of the tower’s four clock faces, which are now visible and keeping time once again.
“Further works have addressed deep-rooted structural issues that only became apparent once the latest phase of the project was under way – a common challenge with historic buildings of this age and complexity.”
The vicar of St Peter’s, the Reverend Daniel Millest, said: “We are thrilled to mark this significant milestone in the restoration project.
“For 200 years, this sacred space has been a home for the worship of Jesus, a centre for community life and a witness to the ever-changing story of Brighton.
“For the last 10 years many people have poured their energy into restoring this amazing building and we cannot wait to reveal more of the magnificent tower.”
Project director Sandy Matthews said: “We’re pleased to confirm that we’re now approaching the point where the scaffolding will begin to come down.
“It’s taken longer than we originally hoped, but the work has been painstaking and thorough, and the end is now firmly in sight.
“While frustrating at times, every delay has been for good reason – to ensure the safety and future of this building for generations to come.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our funders, congregation and to the local community for their patience, generosity and support.”
The church said: “Most of the scaffolding is due to be dismantled in sections from late summer. However, a couple of the lower levels will need to remain in place for ongoing safety, inspection and access for further works planned in the future.
“The work has been possible thanks to major funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and several national and regional grant-makers – including the National Churches Trust, the Sussex Historic Churches Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and Garfield Weston.
“St Peter’s Church has remained fully open throughout the restoration, hosting four Sunday services and multiple community events each week.
“On average, the church welcomes up to 1,000 people through its doors weekly for worship and prayer, support, and connection.”
The current team took over running St Peter’s in 2009 after rising costs and a dwindling congregation had prompted a proposal to close the church.
There was a determined local campaign to save the church, with former councillor Jean Calder prominent among those leading the charge.
And the day was saved when a small team volunteered to move from Holy Trinity Brompton, in London, to reopen the building and rebuild a community.
One of their first tasks was to restore not just the church community but the fabric of the building, with fundraising and some of the most urgent tasks starting straight away in 2009.
Since the scaffolding went up in alate 2014, a couple of sections have been removed but many have long-awaited the final revelation.
Brighton and Hove News reported when the scaffolding was about to go up, with the aim of completing the necessary work in about 18 months.
But then, according to the second epistle of Peter, a day can be like a thousand years and a thousand years can be like a day.
For more information about St Peter’s Church and its bicentennial celebrations, visit www.stpetersbrighton.org.
And to donate to the restoration work, click here.
11 years cleaning with a toothbrush, there’s a lot of money in building advertising and for a high traffic site like this companies like big media will pay in excess of £10k a week so someone’s was very happy.
I am pleased that someone pointed out that the church is a place for the worship of Jesus.
Who would weep I think, that this needs pointing out..
In my opinion in this moment. ..
If you think that you… Well, you’re relationship with a higher power is your own, but “Jesus” or what that represents would not weep. They would understand why, that people are their own experiences and he would forgive their (in your context, Christian dogma) flaw. They would not feel attacked. That’s like the entire point has been missed.
Holier than thou attitude is what puts people off organised religion. It’s ok though as you yourself are also a flawed human being.
Just sayin’
It’s a perfect site for the congregation to worship and work out their salvation in Christ Jesus.
Situated where is at the crossroads, it should draw people from all walks of life to seek peace within its walls.
I hope it becomes a reality and not just a place for putting on ‘Dramas and Flog It’
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Excellent news!
Looks like they’ve done a really good job on the restoration, well done. It’s a Christian church restored by the Christian’s, with benefits of a beautiful building to look at for people like me who aren’t. Really no need for silly comments by anyone, it’s a good thing and reflects well on all involved.
Could we have ALL of the scaffolding down just for a couple of weeks in the spring time for visitors and photographs, please? The ways it’s going, half of us won’t see this in our lifetime otherwise.