St Peter’s Church, Stonyhurst College

St Peter’s Church is a very important and significant church. It was the first major work of the architect J J Scholes (1798 – 1863), and the beginning of his long successful association with the Jesuit Order.

The church is a Grade I Listed Building which was constructed during the period 1832 to 1835 in the Gothic Revival Perpendicular style.

Cassidy + Ashton’s report outlined that the stonework and décor had been damaged through weathering and water ingress and required replacing and restoration. Significant amounts of stonework had decayed and in some cases pieces of stone could not be removed because the stained glass was supporting them.

The stained glass windows were in need of re-leading and cleaning, the heating system was inadequate and the light fittings did not provide enough light above the pews. In addition, extensive historical stencilling was covered up.

All in all, the church looked tired and in need of considerable repair and restoration.

The report provided by Cassidy + Ashton also outlined appropriate refurbishment recommendations.

The refurbishment works included the repair and re-leading of the stained glass windows to restore them to their former glory.

Extensive work was carried out on external stone repairs to window tracery and the main fabric of the building. It involved the complete re-roofing and the re-leading of gutters as well as new cast iron rainwater pipes and hoppers.

Stencilling from the 1850’s and the 1950’s which had been covered for many years by whitewash paint was brought back to life with the removal of the internal wall coverings. This was part of the complete redecoration of all wall surfaces, window surrounds and mullions. A small part of the 1850’s stencilling in the north aisle and the 1950’s stencilling in the south aisle have been partially exposed to provide a link with the past.

The magnificent ceilings in both the nave and the side aisles were cleaned and restored, and the east wall behind the sanctuary was restored and re-painted with the 1850’s stencilling. There was also a general cleaning of artefacts within the church.

Underfloor heating was incorporated into the refurbishment project with existing radiators retained for decorative purposes.

The refurbishment project included upgrading and improving lighting within the listed building. This included the redecoration and lighting of the Silence Gallery and the provision of new light fittings that not only throw light upwards to illuminate the ceiling, but also provided down lighting to the pews.

The work included improving access for the disabled and the introduction of emergency lighting.

The restoration of the St Peter’s Church was funded by the Society of Jesus Trust and has breathed new life into the church that future Stonyhurst communities can enjoy for generations to come. Cassidy + Ashton is proud to have played a key role in the restoration of this Grade I Listed Building.