Phase 2 – the inside
Once the exterior of the building was sound again we needed to focus on the inside. Because of the issues with damp in the walls and just due to the age of the building there were quite large areas of the lime wash on the interior wall that were flaking away. These needed repair and stabilising before a finish coat of specialised paint suitable for this type of wall construction.
While suitable scaffolding was in place we also painted the panels in the ceiling of the nave which were also suffering due to their age and treated the chancel ceiling with some tender loving care and danish oil, revealing the gold highlights which had been dulled by years of candle smoke !
Punch Construction Ltd were engaged to to do the work as specified by Peter Hamer at BGA Architects.
We’ve been really encouraged over the last 2 years by the involvement of the community both within and outside the regular congregations of both churches whose fundraising efforts have already raised over £25,000 towards this work. This is evidence again of how much Holy Cross means so much to so many people.
Thanks to the FSJ Charities who have supported us with a £3,000 grant towards the work, to the Friends of Essex Churches Trust, who are supporting us with £5,000 and the Benefact Trust who have given us a grants of £2,650. We also will be able to get some support from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme, which means with the money already raised, work was able to start in September 2024, and and completed in late November 2024.
Thank you to everyone who supported us to enable us to return Holy Cross to a state honouring to God and fit for our local community.
There are more pictures showing the before and after images here.