Abbey Church of St Mary & St Melor, Amesbury
Conservation & repair
Following decades of water ingress, the 15th Century Nave roof of this large parish church was at risk of structural collapse. As Inspecting Architect, Emma Mullen (during her time at St Ann's Gate Architects) led a comprehensive repair project, including complex carpentry repairs, traditional sand cast lead, conservation and replacement of lath and plaster ceilings, new oak carvings and masonry repairs; all to a tight programme and budget, during the challenges of the Covid pandemic.
St Mary & St Melor Church was once part of a lavishly-endowed 12th Century Priory. What we see today was once part of a much larger complex of buildings with 10th Century origins.
King of Prussia Gold Medal Award Winner 2022
The project was awarded the King of Prussia Gold Medal for excellence in building conservation by the National Churches Trust and Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association and Emma Mullen was named Young Church Architect of the Year 2022. This project also received building conservation awards from the Salisbury Civic Society and Salisbury Diocesan Awards.
Structural Repair, Masonry works and interior
Extensive timber decay was uncovered due to active deathwatch beetle decay, decades of water ingress and poor ventilation. Large structural scarf repairs and other carpentry repairs were developed with the structural engineer (Andrew Waring) to consolidate the roof structure.
New ventilated eaves and ridge details were developed, to improve ventilation to the roof void and avoid the use of chemical timber treatments.
The aim of the works was to preserve the internal appearance of the 15th century ceiling, with its ornate oak carvings and exposed principal roof trusses, with structural works concealed above the lath and plaster ceiling. The works were carried out to a high standard by Daedalus Conservation.
A New Design with Historic Narrative and Traditional Leadwork
Original oak carvings that had become lost over time were reinstated to new designs, each designed by Emma Mullen, to tell a story of the building's history, the local community, or the repair project.
The 40,000 Honey Bees that were discovered during the works are commemorated with two beautifully carved oak bees and the work of the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic is remembered with a carved rainbow.
The new lead roof was designed for longevity, using traditional techniques of sand casting. Four of the sheets included cast text panels to replicate those from 1905. Emma designed full-scale moulds by hand, using wax rubbings of the cast text from 1905, which were used for sand casting.
The judges noted the complex nature and urgent timescale to rescue the roof. The final result looks stunning, and is clearly fit for the next century and beyond.
National Churches Trust
King of Prussia Gold Medal 2022
