Church of the Immaculate Conception

Refurbishment and conservation repairs to mid 19^th. Century Gothic Revival church by William Deane Butler (1844-52). The brief for this project evolved over a 12 month period following the preparation of a comprehensive Condition Report, which identified a number of urgent maintenance and upgrading issues. The scope of work was developed during a number of meetings with the Parish Steering Committee and was ultimately presented to a public meeting of the parish prior to the commencement of the works. The design solution involved integration of modern building services without loss of character to the interior of the church. Plaster repairs and renewal of parging cement on the underside of the roof slates was carried out in accordance with good conservation practice. The existing stencilled ceiling was cleaned and conserved under the guidance of a painting conservation specialist. The project involved the reinstatement of elements of an earlier historic decorative scheme in the interior of the church based on careful analysis of paint samples and historic photographs. Much of the decorative character to the chancel arch and sanctuary, which had been lost through over-painting, was restored.