Building repairs at St Mary\'s

The Victorians carried out a major restoration of St Mary’s Church in 1863, but unfortunately used an inappropriate mortar to rebuild the west wall. Totally inadequate guttering and hoppers were also installed. To make matters worse, a boiler flue was built into the west wall, helping to weaken it further.

The net result is that rainwater has deeply penetrated both the west wall (which gets the prevailing weather) and the east end of St John’s chapel (where the guttering is defective). A later attempt to cure the damp inside the west end by applying an internal coating of impervious plaster simply trapped the damp inside the walls. Outside, the flint cladding on the west front was crumbling, creating a hazard to passers-by.

Remedial work started in May 2009 with the repair of the west wall, which was stabilised with stainless steel anchor bolts.  Then the flint facing was extensively repointed and much decayed stonework repaired or replaced.  A new rainwater overflow system was installed.  All this cost in excess of £100,000, which placed a heavy burden on parish reserves, though we were helped by grants from the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust and the Diocese.

The work required at the east end of the church is expected to cost considerably more.  The roof of St John's Chapel will need to be rebuilt, the gutters need repairing, new soakaways will have to be constructed and internal damaged caused by damp penetration be made good.

It is hoped to start work on this second phase in the spring of 2011, provided that sufficient funds can be raised by then.  The parish is very grateful for the promise of a substantial grant from English Heritage, and a generous donation from St Saviour's Church, to whom St Mary's opens its doors on the second Sunday of each month.  Surrey Churches Preservation Trust is again making a welcome contribution.  Meanwhile the congregation continues to promote a series of successful fund-raising activities.

However the shortfall between available funds and estimated costs is still considerable.  Donations from people who care about saving this ancient and very special church would be most gratefully received.  Cheques made out to 'Holy Trinity and St Mary's PCC' may be sent to the Parish Office, 5 Trinity Churchyard, Guildford, GU1 3RR