Campaign

Conservation work by Cliveden Conservation on the de Clinton effigies and the Digby tombs suggest that the parish church must have been a riot of colour centuries ago.

The company was commissioned to conserve four medieval tombs, the two effigies of knights, a wall monument and a white marble seventeenth-century urn.

In particular, 14th century pigment was found under heavy dust on the sandstone effigies during a four month long contract to repair and conserve the monuments.

Using chromatography, the company found evidence that the tombs have been repainted more than once. Gilding was found in one sample, laid over a very thin layer of yellow containing ochre.

Repair work was required for the chest tombs to stabilise the disaggregation of the stone and impart strength to some of the areas: one of the chest tombs needed to be dismantled and rebuilt.

Crude repairs from the past which were unstable were fettled back and remodelled. Loose sections were also repaired and consolidated.

“The conservation of the effigies, tombs and monuments was an amazing thing to behold.

“The work carried out has certainly given us a renewed appreciation for the very fine heritage that hitherto we had rather taken for granted and we now look forward to welcoming many more visitors to enjoy the unique treasures our church contains,” said vicar Reverend Nick Parker.

A short flyby/walkthrough DVD to mark the completion of three stages of renovations is now available, or here on line.

Renewal today, for tomorrow

Much of the re-ordering and renovation has been completed.

This will enable us to transform our presence in the local community, engaging a wider range of people in our mission:

Standing for Christ at the heart of the community; inspired to share God's love with everyone.

We have
- a new disabled toilet and baby change facility
- improved access to the building via the west door
- enhanced kitchen facilities

And now have
- a new heating system
- improved, flexible seating, for both worship and other events (the pale blue bit above).
- and now working on a new meeting room, able to be used by groups from within both the community and the church.

For information about making a gift to the project, please contact us: coleshill.campaign@outlook.com

To appreciate how much difference financial support from individuals and these organisations has made, look back at work in progress three months ago, and how the church looks now.

Monumental

Cliveden Conservation produced a hugely detailed, 158 page, illustrated report. It gives fascinating insights into the meticulous restoration and conservation work done on the monuments.