Architecture students from the University of Huddersfield visited St Stephen’s Church in Lindley for the first time last week as part of a new project which allowed them to study the repairs taking place on the building.
The church’s repair project, named ‘Building for the Future’, has been partly funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the partnership between the church and the University has been established as a result of the required educational output for the grant while giving students the opportunity to see relevant work in action.
Revd Rachel Firth, vicar of St Stephen’s Church, comments, “It’s a great opportunity for churches to build relationships with University departments, to help pass on knowledge and experience on how to repair and maintain our heritage.”
The 15 Building Pathology students were given a talk by the main Architect and contractor working on the building’s repairs which outlined the church’s history as well as the process of the ongoing repairs from funding to the implementation of works on the site.
They were then taken on a full site tour, even going to the top of the church tower via the outside scaffolding.
Revd Rachel Firth says, “This phase of work represents £144,000 of investment in the building, and is the first phase of a project that will end up costing at least £250,000.
“It’s a key priority for Heritage Lottery Funding that the investment of public money in any building benefits as many people as possible in as many ways as possible – and this has helped us achieve that.”
Charles Smith, a member of the laity in St Stephen’s and its Church Buildings Committee, as well as Principal Adviser for Heritage at Risk at Historic England, explains, “The Heritage Lottery Fund grants require a degree of educational outreach celebrating the heritage of the building.
“We decided it would be great to invite Building Pathology students from the University of Huddersfield to visit and see a historic building repair project in action.
“This would allow the students to learn about specialist building conservation techniques in practice, enhancing the traditional building skills of future professionals working within the sector.”
The visit was a great success with the course leader, Charles Hippisley Cox, saying that ‘the students really enjoyed the visit and seeing the practical application of building conservation skills in a listed building’.
Charles Smith explains, “This relationship is important in helping to equip the building professionals of the future with skills in traditional conservation techniques.”
Revd Rachel Firth says, “Churches sometimes need a little more sideways thinking about the value of their buildings.
“We see their value for worship - as a place for brownies, cubs or the lunch club to meet too – but the heritage we’re restoring and investing in has more to give.
“These places hold historical, cultural, and educational value too.”
She adds, “It’s not just about guide books and information boards – we can help those who will be working in heritage professions in the future to gain real and valuable experience.
“Relationships like these are an investment in the future.”
St Stephen’s Church is a Grade II listed building that was completed in 1830 by Joseph Kaye, ‘the builder of Huddersfield’, - and designed by John Oates, an important local architect, making the church an important site for local budding Architects.
Charles says, “We plan for the students to visit again when the project has been completed, so that they can see the end results and learn about any changes to the scope of works that resulted from further investigations undertaken during the course of the project.”