Tower Restored: The Story of St Laurence’s, Wyck Rissington
We are delighted to share the news that the tower restoration project at St Laurence's Church, Wyck Rissington, has been successfully completed.
It is a wonderful outcome for a building of exceptional historic significance, and one that would not have been possible without the dedication of the local community and the support of numerous generous grant-giving organisations, including the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust.
A Church of Outstanding Importance
St Laurence's, Wyck Rissington, is a Grade I-listed church that is deeply cherished by its local community and is widely visited throughout the year. Architectural historian David Verey described its Early English Chancel as the finest in Gloucestershire, and the church holds a special place in musical history as the location where composer Gustav Holst served as organist in 1892.
The church sits at the terminus of the Holst Way walking route and is also passed by the Oxfordshire Way, which runs directly through the churchyard, making it a natural stopping point for walkers and visitors from far and wide.
A History of Careful Stewardship
The community at Wyck Rissington has a strong track record of investing in the fabric of their church. In 2011, the roof was completely re-covered with Cotswold slate, the four bells were renovated in 2013, and the church's Bevington Organ was reconditioned in 2017.
In each case, generous contributions from local residents were supplemented by grants from bodies such as the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust, the All Churches Trust, English Heritage, and the National Churches Trust. The tower restoration project continues that tradition of careful, community-led stewardship.
Identifying the Problem
The deterioration of the lead on the tower roof and the porous condition of the tower buttresses were formally confirmed in the 2022 Quinquennial Survey, though early warning signs had already been evident in peeling wall paint and damp patches on the walls adjacent to the tower.
Local fundraising had begun before that point, but was interrupted by the COVID pandemic. Once the full extent of the challenge was understood in 2022, a more focused and structured approach to fundraising was required.
Planning and Fundraising
Progress was initially delayed when a key member of the church's architectural team retired in 2023. By 2024, however, the project was firmly back on track. Church Architect Arnold Bartosch Ltd prepared a detailed specification; a Quantity Surveyor was commissioned to assess likely costs; a Faculty was obtained; and an ecology survey cleared the way to proceed.
A direct appeal to the village raised an impressive £25,000, supplemented by proceeds from fundraising events including a Holst Concert and Open Gardens. Grants were awarded by the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and the Benefact Trust, contributing £4,000 and £2,500 respectively.
Combined with a significant draw on the PCC's Fabric Fund, these contributions enabled the appointment of contractor Allsworth Roofing Ltd. Before the contract was signed, the basis of the contractor's estimates was thoroughly scrutinised to ensure the brief had been fully understood. Work began in July 2025.
Carrying Out the Work
Arnold Bartosch Ltd provided both project management and CDM coordination throughout, with project leader David Arnold conducting regular inspection visits. Vulnerable areas of the churchyard were carefully protected, the tower was fully scaffolded, the bells were covered, and their bearings wrapped. Importantly, the church remained open to visitors throughout the works, with notices displayed to encourage continued access.
The lead work was completed promptly and to a high standard. The root cause of the previous roof's failure was identified as the use of large lead sheets with inadequate overlapping. The new lead roof has been far more carefully designed, and the access hatch repositioned for greater convenience. The lead covering of the buttresses was also completed to an excellent standard, drawing favourable comment from experienced observers. Smartwater has been applied to the new lead as a security measure.
The design and installation of new rain chutes required careful deliberation and testing before a satisfactory solution was found. The lightning conductor was also renovated and re-attached as part of the works.
Challenges Along the Way
As is common with historic building projects of this nature, additional work emerged once the tower was opened up. Significantly more re-pointing than originally anticipated was required, and two of the pinnacles were found to be insecure due to the absence of a central rod, necessitating repair. These additional works extended the project beyond its planned completion date of September 2025 into late November, and the contingency sum allocated was fully used.
A Building Protected for the Future
The outcome is enormously positive. The tower is now fully waterproof; water no longer penetrates the building fabric, and the existing damp patches are beginning to dry out. Redecoration is planned for late 2026. The heritage of this outstanding Grade I Listed Building has been preserved, and St Laurence's remains a safe, welcoming and beautiful space for its worshipping community and the many visitors who come to explore its history.
True to their commitment to keep the community informed, the church organised a tour of the tower roof so that local residents could see the completed work at closer quarters. The contributions of the community, the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust and the Benefact Trust are acknowledged at the entrance to the church.
A Thanksgiving Service
To mark the completion of this significant project, a special thanksgiving Songs of Praise service will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, 10th May at St Laurence's, Wyck Rissington. The service will give the congregation and wider community the opportunity to come together and give thanks for the restoration of the tower. Members of the GHCT team have been warmly invited to attend and share in the celebration.
Support Work Like This
The restoration of St Laurence's tower is a fine example of what can be achieved when a committed community, skilled professionals and generous funders work together towards a shared goal. GHCT is proud to have played a part in securing the future of this remarkable building.
If your church needs support for repair or restoration work, we encourage you to learn more about our grants programme and apply for funding. And if you would like to help us continue supporting historic churches across Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North Bristol, please consider making a donation or volunteering.