St Mary’s Chapel restoration almost complete

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We all know about watching paint dry – well, we have been watching lime mortar dry! Before the special paint could be applied to the lime it had to be below a critical moisture level. St Mary’s Chapel is partially underground and there is limited air circulation, so drying took a long time. It is also a process which cannot be rushed, otherwise the mortar does not ‘cure’ properly. However, this was particularly slow, even with the use of some gentle heat and two dehumidifiers, Eventually the target level was reached and the painting was completed. That was the last major stage in the restoration work.

A view of the north aisle after completion of the painting

However, there were some other things going on. A new door was constructed for access from the south aisle of the Chapel into the archaeological dig site. This door was designed to look old but was built in the workshops of North Group, the contractors, during 2025. Once in place, it was stained to match the rest of the wood in the Chapel and fits in remarkably well.

Assessing a hand-made metal stud for the door in North Group workshop
The new bespoke door during installation

There was also a need to instal WiFi into the Chapel to allow control of the lighting and heating. There were many hurdles to getting it ordered – but in the end it was very simple and it works well. One or two small matters remain: the south door needs a bit of TLC and a letterbox adding and the parquet floor in the south aisle is going to get a spruce-up.

Looking back over six years

The restoration has been a long process, starting just pre-Covid and has not been without its problems. However, a few before and after photographs will illustrate just what a difference the OpenSpace Trust has been able to achieve.

At the start – the north aisle with steps to a higher level
The north aisle when the floor had been lowered to allow for wheelchair access
A view towards the north aisle from by the choir desk
The southeast corner of the apse showing the water-damaged plaster (and window before it was restored in 2011}
The same south east corner of the apse with restored window and painted plaster
Two final pictures. To the left looking south from the north aisle and to the right a view of the table in the apse

Come and have a look

We will be holding a series of ‘open days’ during 2026 – on the first Saturday of each month starting on 4th April and concluding at Doors Open Day on 5th September. We will be open 10.30 to 3.30 each day. Fulll details, and any changes or additional dates will be in the Tab ‘Chapel Opening Days 2026’.