New finds in March

March progress
Work starting on the vestibule with the floor taken up

Preparation for the new boiler room at first floor level

Scaffolding put up around the side balconies to enable them to be taken down

Starting to dismantle the balcony

Sleeper walls being built under the new floor

February – Starting the work
Blocking up the door to the side galley

The floor removed showing the pipes underneath.

We found an old shoe under the floor which probably dates from the time the church was built in 1902. This was a tradition dating back to the earliest record in 1308AD, particularly common in the 1700s and 1800s but died out during the 1900s.

Last week in January – emptying the church

The organ pipes have been removed and taken to Henry Groves and Son (organ builders) for restoration and safe-keeping. They will be put back once the building work is complete. This photo shows the empty organ space.

Some of the largest organ pipes (bass flute stop)

One of the wooden organ pipes was found to have writing on it that said “Made by Charles Patterson 1902”

Pews being removed from downstairs for sale as benches