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St Mary’s Church in Long Sutton’s spire restoration plans submitted to Lincoln Diocesan Advisory Committee for approval




Reconstruction work to Europe’s oldest and tallest wooden church spire could begin next year - using similar methods to that deployed on the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

St Mary’s Church spire in Long Sutton needs urgent work after it was deemed unsafe, ridded with woodworm and deathwatch beetle, - with repairs expected to cost around £50,000.

Proposals to fix the spire have been submitted by Buttress architects to Lincoln Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) for approval before work can start and a hi-tech 3D model showing the intricate timber frame has been produced by specialist architects.

The 3D model of the frame has been produced by James Brennan with drawings by structural engineers, Renaissance Associates Ltd, using the most up-to-date technology.

The cost will be around £50,000 to restore the spire to safety
The cost will be around £50,000 to restore the spire to safety

Steve Welsh, studio principal at Buttress, said: “The proposals have been submitted and the DAC may ask for more information or make a recommendation for approval.

“If the latter, the proposals are subject to a 28-day public notice period before the application is submitted to the diocesan registrar for a faculty, a formal approval, to be issued by the chancellor of the diocese.

“We will be seeking competitive tenders from suitably experienced contractors to do the work which will involve largely traditional carpentry techniques but working at height in the confined space of the spire.”

St Mary's church at Long Sutton - the spire is the oldest and tallest in Europe
St Mary's church at Long Sutton - the spire is the oldest and tallest in Europe

St Mary’s spire was built c1200 - with timbers carbon dated to as far back as 1120 - at a similar time to the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris which has had restoration work with contractors working at height, using scaffolding, abseiling and repairs to timber frames.

Specialist contractors, who are able to work very high up and in confined spaces, will be sought.

Father Jonathan Sibley, vicar at St Mary’s, has held a number of fundraising events and applied for grants to raise three quarters of the £50,000 needed for repairs.

He is confident the remaining money will be granted and is keen for the restoration to happen before his retirement in the spring.

A drawing by structural engineers Renaissance Associates Ltd gives a visual explanation. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
A drawing by structural engineers Renaissance Associates Ltd gives a visual explanation. PHOTO: SUBMITTED

Fr Jonathan said “If the DAC are happy and once approved it means we will be a position to go ahead with the restoration early year and it should only take a few weeks.

“The architect diagrams are amazing showing the timbers that need restoring and the timbers that need repairing.”

“We are still fundraising and someone recently made us a legacy which is very kind.”

3D model of St Mary's Long Sutton church spire produced by James Brennan. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
3D model of St Mary's Long Sutton church spire produced by James Brennan. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Up-to-date technology was used to produce the image of the spire. PHOTO: 3D model produced by James Brennan
Up-to-date technology was used to produce the image of the spire. PHOTO: 3D model produced by James Brennan
Specialist contractors will be needed to carry out the restoration work. PHOTO: 3D model produced by James Brennan
Specialist contractors will be needed to carry out the restoration work. PHOTO: 3D model produced by James Brennan
3D model produced by James Brennan shows which timbers can be restored. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
3D model produced by James Brennan shows which timbers can be restored. PHOTO: SUBMITTED
Father Jonathan Sibley is due to retire as vicar at St Mary's Church Long Sutton next year
Father Jonathan Sibley is due to retire as vicar at St Mary's Church Long Sutton next year

Restoration works will hopefully begin in January 2025 if planning approvals are met.

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