This page outlines the major structural issues currently being addressed at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corsham, along with our plans for heritage restoration. The work focuses primarily on the south elevation of the church and adjoining structures added in the 20th century.
Two key areas of the southern aspect of the church are the main focus of the current restoration effort:
1. The 1940s fire escape and inserted uPVC door which are unsafe, structurally unsound and out of character with the church’s historic architecture.
2. The 1960s flower sacristy (originally built as a servery) has severe damp and structural failures, and compromises the integrity of the adjoining church wall.
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Main Window – Structural Concerns and Restoration Plan
In the 1950s, this window was lowered, and leaded-glass panels from the eastern window were reused. The eastern window, having lost its original panels, was repaired with poor-quality replacement glass that does not match the rest of the church. It now leaks and will be fully replaced with a new leaded-glass window.
The uPVC door is inserted into an original Gothic stone arch. The doorframe is not load-bearing and was not fitted with any structural lintels.
The metal escape staircase does not meet current building regulations; it is too steep and lacks fire protection from a possible fire. It’s installation has caused damage to the surrounding window resulting in structural cracks and instability.
There are no lintels above or below the uPVC door. The door frame supports the infill of the arch, resulting in visible movement, cracking, and crude repairs. These conditions pose a long-term structural risk.
Planned Work
The uPVC door and fire escape will be removed, and the original stone and leaded-glass window reinstated in its place, restoring both structure and historic character.
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Flower Sacristy – Structural Failure and Demolition Plan
History and Condition
The flower sacristy was constructed in the 1980s replacing an earlier modification to the original building. It was used to prepare and serve refreshments after internal modifications to enlarge the worship area. Made from single-skin stone and blocks with no insulation, it now suffers from major damp and structural failure. It receives all the water runoff from the main church roof gulley, which it is unable to discharge effectively.
Planned Work
Due to extensive deterioration and lack of heritage value, the flower sacristy will be demolished. There are no plans to replace it. Instead, the original Victorian façade with twin school entrances marked “Boys” and “Girls” will be restored. This will also provide access to a staircase leading into a small cellar, originally a fuel store.
The loss of the flower sacristy will be compensated by enlarging the current robing sacristy by moving a late addition stud partition.
The internal staircase to the upper area will be remodelled to comply with building regulations and create a new fire escape using the redundant door into the robing sacristy. This will allow the upper area to be used as a meeting room/office.
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This restoration will enhance both the safety and historic integrity of St Patrick’s Church, ensuring its preservation for future generations.