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FAITHFUL CONVERTS: ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION OF ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION BY RICHARD PAUL BOULD Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree BSc(Hons) Building Surveying Leeds Metropolitan University May 2011 ABSTRACT Ecclesiastical buildings form part of the architectural legacy of the national built heritage. Proportionally, they number abundantly amongst the designated listed buildings. The future of these buildings is threatened by social change, making numerous places of worship redundant. Seeking to reuse the buildings, many have been acquired by developers and converted for residential habitation. This dissertation undertakes an assessment of completed and ongoing residential ecclesiastical conversions to determine if and how they successfully retain their significant architectural features, to establish what lessons can be learned. This dissertation gathers academic literature and planning guidance to develop a framework for the successful conversion of ecclesiastical buildings whether designated as listed buildings or not. Applying this material, the dissertation presents four case studies of building surveys from a selection of different architectural styles and ecclesiastical use. This provides a detailed survey of each building, from which general themes of conversion are assessed. A building survey was undertaken at four sites, with a photographic record taken at each site. This illustrates the conversions and acts to support the critical analysis. The photographs also serve to provide evidence to planners and developers of both positive and negative examples of conversion works. Whilst the case studies are limited in the architectural style of buildings, each conversion should be regarded as a unique mission. This dissertation is therefore valuable as a base for general principles of conversion and valuable for application to most conversions. The case studies present varied findings for the retention of significant architecture in the conversion process. Externally, the buildings can be conserved with little alteration. Internally, ecclesiastical buildings are a challenge to convert. Smaller structures provide the best opportunity to successfully retain and conserve any of the original character. Architectural qualities and features are however at risk during any internal conversion. Assessment of architectural significance therefore becomes crucial before works are undertaken, to determine the value of the building. Conversion proves successful at retaining and conserving significant architecture, dependent upon the structure of the building and the diligent approach of the developer and planner. The findings of this dissertation can be recommended for use as guidance by planning authorities and developers alike, guiding good conservation practice and applied planning policy, to faithfully convert both designated and undesignated ecclesiastical buildings. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My first note of thanks goes to the “custodians of the buildings” who allowed access to their homes. Their time, knowledge and willingness to support my work are greatly appreciated. Thanks to Colin Smithson, former occupant and ‘architect’ of Marrick Wesleyan Chapel, who gave background information on the Chapel and conversion. Thanks also to members of the congregation of Thorner Methodist Church, for their knowledge and time. Appreciation also to my friend Geraldine Ford, for having the patience to proof read this work. I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement provided by Dr Beverley West. I also thank her for igniting my interest in the historic built environment, giving me the impetus to undertake this dissertation. My thanks to Yorkshire Housing, my employer of six years for offering the financial support and releasing me from work to undertake five years of education. Gary, Brian and Andrew, my managers during this time have inspired and given me the opportunity to develop my career. Finally I wish to dedicate this work to four close members of my family. To my mother Margaret, grandmother Sonia and father Paul, for their ever-present support and encouragement. Last to my grandfather, John, who has been my academic, philosophical and occupational inspiration and who offered critical direction on this dissertation. ii CONTENTS CHAPTER HEADING PAGE Abstract i Acknowledgement ii Contents iii List of Plates v Glossary of Terms ix 1 Ecclesiastical Redundancy & Conversion 1 Problem Specification 1 Literature Review 3 Methodology 9 2 Developing an Ecclesiastical Conversion Framework 12 Conversion Checklist 21 3 Conversion Case Studies 22 Thorner Methodist Chapel 22 Low Row Methodist Chapel 38 St Andrew’s Marrick Anglican Church 50 Marrick Methodist Chapel 63 4 Discussion of Case Studies, Conclusions & 74 Recommendations Bibliography 81 iii Appendices 85 Appendix A: Thorner Methodist Church Designation Listing 86 Appendix B: Leeds Mercury – 7th September 1876: Article 87 concerning planned Thorner Wesleyan Chapel Appendix C: Low Row Methodist Chapel Planning Application 88 Appendix D: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Planning 89 Committee Meeting 8th July 2008; concerning application for development of Low Row Methodist Chapel Appendix E: E-mail from Colin Smithson; former occupant of 90 Marrick Wesleyan Chapel Appendix F: Compact Disc with supplementary photographs of 91 building surveys and additional sources of information iv LIST OF PLATES All plates by the author unless otherwise stated Plate Description Page Case Study 1: Kirklands (formerly Thorner Methodist Chapel) 3.01 Kirklands: west elevation 22 3.02 Nave: view of roof lights on north elevation 24 3.03 Roof lights to school house 24 3.04 Timber doors to west elevation. Pre-conversion 25 3.05 Former doorway altered to accommodate new window openings to western 26 elevation 3.06 Blocked geometric tracery and lancet window to north elevation 27 3.07 Blocked window to west elevation of school house 27 3.08 Insertion of window casements to north elevation of nave 28 3.09 Original lancet windows to west elevation 28 3.10 Gargoyle to west elevation of spire 29 3.11 Date stone above door to west elevation. Floral spandrel flanks numbering 29 3.12 Columns to western doorway 29 3.13 Guilloche string course above west doorway 30 3.14 Foundation stone to west elevation of chapel 30 3.15 Interior of chapel nave pre-conversion. View from gallery towards eastern end of 31 building. Hammer beams to top of plate 3.16 Communal corridor to ground floor of chapel post-conversion. Located in former 31 nave 3.17 Living room in flat to former southern side of nave 31 3.18 Top floor flat to former nave: View of hammer beam, tie-beam and geometric 32 perforations to spandrel below roof light. (Source: Beadnall and Copley estate agents) 3.19 Mid-floor flat to former nave of chapel: Lower section of hammer-beam bisected by 32 floor insertion. Lancet windows shown bisected by floor insertion (Source: Beadnall and Copley estate agents) 3.20 Pine boarding to underside of roof adjacent roof light to top floor flat in nave. 33 (Source: Beadnall and Copley estate agents) v 3.21 Rose window to east elevation of chapel. Balustrade and handrail seen bisecting 34 window 3.22 Geometric tracery to head of window to western gable of chapel. Glazed panel and 34 floor bisect opening 3.23 Thorner Chapel (1985 approx), Organ, pulpit, altar rail in situ prior to residential 35 conversion. (Source: Thorner and District Historical Society) 3.24 Internal lobby doors noted in listing of former Methodist Chapel. Now located in 35 current Thorner Chapel as shown 3.25 Altar rail and pulpit in Thorner Methodist Chapel. Transferred from former Chapel, 35 as seen in Plate 3.23 3.26 Memorial to Rev. John Pawson, former Methodist Preacher from Thorner. 35 Memorial sited in current chapel 3.27 Electricity substation for Kirklands. Sited in car park concealed by landscaping. 36 Constructed with sandstone walls matching the existing chapel building Case Study 2: Low Row Methodist Chapel 4.01 Low Row Methodist Chapel – front elevation 38 4.02 Roof light to pitched roof – side elevation 40 4.03 Chapel from rear. Roof light has minimal impact on roof aesthetic 41 4.04 Door converted from window to side elevation 41 4.05 Original window opening to side elevation 41 4.06 Chapel with terraced walkway to front (1910-1930). (Source: Low Row booklet 42 “Low Row People Houses and Community Buildings”) 4.07 Terraced walkway narrowed to allow off-road parking to front elevation 42 4.08 Memorial foundation stones to front elevation. Inscriptions showing wear 43 4.09 Retained stained glass to front elevation windows. Secondary glazing to be 43 installed in opening later in conversion 4.10 Original rear window with stained glass. (Source: Michael Guy) 44 4.11 Upper section of renewed rear window. All glazing in clear glass 44 4.12 Lower section of renewed rear window, below floor divide. Stained glass retained 44 in bathroom 4.13 Underside of roof pre-conversion – with dark boarding and tie beam truss. (Source: 45 Michael Guy) 4.14 Tie beam truss retained post-conversion. Timber panelling removed from ceiling 45 4.15 New floor bisecting side window. No allowance for setting window back 46 4.16 New floor bisecting side window: later in construction. Floor set back from opening 46 vi 4.17 Void space at head of window viewed from interior. Floor and blank panel set back 47 from opening 4.18 Internal sub-division during construction. New floors and blocks walls pictured 47 4.19 Original chapel interior featuring; gallery, pulpit, organ casing and altar rail. 48 (Source: Michael Guy) 4.20 Bow pews to original interior of chapel, with rear window in background. (Source: 48 Michael Guy) Case Study 3: St Andrew’s Marrick Anglican Church 5.01 St Andrew’s: Marrick Anglican Church 50 5.02 Pitched roof with log burner flue breaking roof line. Viewed from rear, alongside 52 vestry 5.03 View from street of roof with steel flue breaking ridge line of pitched roof 52 5.04 Renewed door to vestry. Composition and material similar to that of front door in 53 Plate 5.05 5.05 Front door to chapel.