1886 Chancel Repairs

1. Initial report from the Vicar – 1884
2. Estimate from the architect – 1885
3. Certification that the work had been completed – 1886
4. Footnotes
5. Navigation

Initial report from the Vicar – 1884

After a substantial operation to reroof and upgrade the chancel in 1864, followed by a number of repairs in 1878, the vicar, the Rev. Hibbert Wanklyn, wrote to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners on October 13^th 1884 who, since 1877, had been responsible for financing the upkeep of the Chancel.

I am sorry to inform you that the Chancel of St Andrew’s Church Deopham is in great want of repair as regards the roof. The rain pours in upon the Altar, Harmonium and several other parts of the floor making it most miserable – nothing can now be left in the Chancel for fear it should be spoiled. I know that Mr Christian¹ has been informed that the roof is in a bad state, and shall feel obliged if your Lordships will order it to be repaired.

Image courtesy of Lambeth Palace Library; their ref: File 27377

Estimate from the architect – 1885

The architect, Mr Ewan Christian, advised the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1885 that the cost of repairs would be £59 12s 0d, attributing the demise of the roof to the tiles being “injured by the gales”. He appears to admit to deficiencies in his original design by saying that

1. whilst taking off and relaying the tiles, a layer of felt should be introduced between the oak panelling and the tiles;
2. the local tiles used were “not of very good quality” and should be replaced with factory made Broseley tiles from Shropshire at an additional cost of £21 5s 0d.

Images courtesy of Lambeth Palace Library; their ref: File 27377

Certification that the work had been completed – 1886

The architect confirmed on March 31^st 1886 that the work had been completed at a cost of £80 17s 0d: this total indicates that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had accepted the additional cost to replace the tiles.

Image courtesy of Lambeth Palace Library; their ref: File 27377

Footnotes

1. Mr. Ewan Christian was the church architect ↩︎

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Date	Change
13/3/24	Published