Conservation Update

Last updated Friday, 15 November, 2024

It has been announced that Historic England has included Christchurch Priory among 31 sites in the South West on its 'At Risk' register for 2024, which gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places. It helps to ensure they can be protected and continue to be enjoyed in the future.

Simon Hickman of Historic England writes

“The late medieval roof structure, hidden behind a 19th century plasterwork ceiling, retains original and highly significant painted decoration, but is in deteriorating condition with substantial repairs needed…. The congregation have prepared a masterplan to address the necessary repairs and provide new and improved facilities and are in the process of identifying sources of funding.” From   https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/13100

The photographs above (by Ross Cook) show some of these roof paintings. Conservation of the Nave Roof is the top priority in our Masterplan - to see more about this please click here

The statement issued by Historic England says:

One of the longest parish churches in England requires repairs to its late medieval roof. 

Christchurch Priory as we see it today was built from the 1090s on the site of a Saxon Priory and completed by around 1150. Additions to the Norman church, including the late Gothic Lady Chapel, the ornate Tudor Salisbury Chantry, and the West Tower, were made before Henry VIII granted the building to the people of Christchurch in 1540 and declared that it should be used as their parish church in perpetuity.

As a large former monastic building, Christchurch Priory is considered one of approximately 300 ‘major’ parish churches by the Church of England, which face a different scale of opportunities and threats compared to most listed church buildings. The upkeep and repair of these buildings pose a significant challenge and the responsibility falls entirely on the local community. 

Major repairs including to the Lady Chapel, external stonework and internal plasterwork have been completed in recent years, but now the late 14th/early 15th century wooden roof of the main church needs urgent repairs. Notable for its spectacular, but hidden, late medieval painted timberwork, the roof would originally have been visible from the nave floor before a plaster ceiling was installed in the early 19th century. 

Charles Stewart, Vicar at Christchurch Priory, said: “The Priory has been at the heart of Christchurch since the mid-16th century and remains much-loved by the local community. As well as being a place of prayer and reflection, with regular Sunday services attracting 300 worshippers, we welcome around 70,000 visitors each year and host concerts, events and activities for a diverse range of people. Even very hard-working and active congregations, supported as we are with over 200 dedicated volunteers and the Friends of the Priory, can struggle to maintain historic places of worship, let alone cover the cost of major repairs. We hope placing Christchurch Priory on the Heritage at Risk Register will highlight that urgent support is needed for one of the great churches of England.”

Historic England 

    - has dedicated toolkits on its website for Heritage at Risk and Caring for Heritage and provides expert advice to owners, local authorities and communities.  

    - works creatively with owners and communities to deliver new visions for how these historic places can be used again and can provide grant aid. 

    - supports communities to come together, connecting interested parties to raise awareness and additional funds.