Shillingstone Church Roof Appeal

Holy Rood, Shillingstone is a beautiful Grade 1 listed village church, the main part of which is 900 years old. All the roofs of the church need replacement due to their age which is thought to be around 140 years.

We suffered a dramatic collapse of part of the North Aisle roof in November 2022. Thanks to the immense generosity of donors and grant funders we were able during 2023 to reroof the North Aisle and all the interior damage caused by water was restored.

The Chancel Roof had by then started leaking and was our next priority. It is a little gem with its attractive tile banding, and inside a most beautiful and unusual ceiling that we treasure, a vision of the heavens. We launched a 'Sponsor a Tile' campaign for the Chancel Roof and it was so successful that we were able to fund the project in October 2024. A scaffold over-roof was erected to protect the chancel ceiling, which had developed six leaks before the tiles were taken off. The work was completed by Christmas 2024.

The remaining parts of the roof that need to be dealt with are the Nave and the Porch.  The Nave has an equally beautiful, but very different ceiling (pictured). We would love to be able to do this in 2026. We are continuing our appeal, our efforts to fundraise and our applications for grants. Any donation you can to make will be greatly appreciated.

Holy Rood Church is run by Shillingstone Parochial Church Council - registered charity no 1207014

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The Chancel roof was been completed by Christmas 2024, and the scaffold over-roof that had dominated the church was removed.  The roofer had to have new finials for the ridge hand made by a local potter as it proved impossible to source them from any reclamation yard.   It was discovered that the cross on the eastern apex was rather loose and therefore very dangerous. This was hoisted up and safely refixed.  When the chancel tiles were stripped diagonal boarding was discovered underneath which appears to have been the chancel ceiling before the more decorative barrel vault was added underneath it.  Thank you everyone who has supported this project.

Great news. We now have the official permission we need for the overroof and to reroof the Chancel.  Please help if you can and we can get it done from the end of this summer.

We are now working on an application for permission to protect the Chancel Roof from water ingress and then reroof it, which we hope to do during 2024. We need to protect and save that exquisite blue and gold ceiling.

The North Aisle roof is complete! Most of the original Bridgewater tiles were still in great condition and were reused along with matching tiles from reclamation.  Fortunately all the trusses were found to sound and did not need to be replaced.  The addition of counter-battens and bat-safe membrane over counter-battens has improved the roof for both bats and people.  All the damage inside cause by water has been repaired.  The roofers worked in very adverse conditions as this autumn was so very, very wet and we do thank them for their skill and care.

Next step: the Chancel roof.

The damaged roof has now been covered with quality tarpaulin well-fixed.  The loose tiles have been removed and conserved.  We are grateful to our architect at Crickmay Stark of Dorchester and to Simon Spiller Building and Roofing for their speedy response.  We have a plan of fundraising, grant applications and contributions that should enable us to reroof the damaged North Aisle later this year.  We are having a bat survey which will determine when work can be done- apparently at least 4 types of bat roost in the church!

The damaged roof has been protected with tarpaulin and the area round it cordoned off.  Loose tiles will be removed and made safe shortly.