B & E Boys will commence work this month on stone masonry repairs to the tower of St Mary and St James’ Church in Rochdale following damage to one of the church’s four spires. Works will be completed by the end of June 2017. The church is a Grade II listed building and is an imposing sight for any visitors to central Rochdale.
The original church was consecrated in 1821 as an Anglican Church. It features a wide nave with a central west tower and entrance porches to the north and south. Built in the style of a Commissioners’ Church, the building is impressive. The beauty and significance of the building is recognised in its Grade II listed status, and it is of course important that this stone masonry repair work is completed to a high standard to ensure the spires of the church stand proud over the Rochdale skyline for many years to come.
St Mary and St James’ Church has an interesting history. In 1975, it became a Ukrainian Catholic Church, renamed as The Ukrainian Catholic Church of St Mary and St James.
B & E Boys have undertaken work on a variety of Church properties over the years. Past projects include St Oswald’s Church in Winwick – a building dating back to the 13th century, and St Barnabas Church on Penny Lane in Liverpool, the street made famous by The Beatles.
Another notable project was completed at St Anne’s Church in Waterfoot. As is often the case with such projects, many challenges were faced with access being particularly difficult. As ever, the company’s careful project management and consideration of health and safety requirements for the project were particularly important.
The projects B & E Boys undertake can be to carry out essential repairs, such as the upcoming St Mary and St James’ project. But, as was the case with the St Anne’s project, the works are often focused on making internal alterations and substantial refurbishment to update or create new facilities. In the case of the Waterfoot project, the end result was a new community centre.
We are commencing another Church project in May at Rawtenstall Unitarian Church and we hope to work on many more similar projects in the future. Church buildings are an important part of our heritage and continue to serve our local communities.