Sixty two members of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association visited Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton last Saturday to have a look first hand at its restoration.
The group were in Cleckheaton following their annual conference in Huddersfield the day before and their first taste of this Grade 11 Listed building were tunes from the church’s Ellacombe system of bells which allows one person to play the eight bells.
Churchwarden Philip Hardill gave a presentation about the £265k restoration project which started in 2007 and included major roof repairs, gutter and fall pipe replacement, repairs to masonry surrounding the stained glass windows - and the reconstruction of the bell tower back to its original height.
He also described the current internal refurbishment project which has already re-wired, replaced the heating system and re-decorated and told the group that work was on-going with the windows and the porch.
EASA president, Russell Trudgen of Arctic Associates, spoke about his journey with the churchwardens over the years in repairing and improving the church for the benefit of the wider community and said: “It has been a pleasure and delight to partner with the church congregation at Whitechapel who have lovingly maintained their witness in the community. What has been achieved is testimony to a lot of hard work – well done.”
Whitechapel vicar the Revd Brunel James said “We were honoured to be recognised by this national group of architects and surveyors. Their visit was a tribute to the amazing work done by the volunteers who have preserved the historic Whitechapel Church for the future”
Pictured here from left is Philip Hardill, Charlotte and Russell Trudgen and the vicar, Brunel James.