Church closed for extensive repair works

SCAFFOLDING surrounds St Botolph's Church, as extensive repair works get underway.
St Botophs Church is closed for repair work S04531H14St Botophs Church is closed for repair work S04531H14
St Botophs Church is closed for repair work S04531H14

The grade-one listed church, in Botolphs, has been closed for major repairs, which include a complete re-roofing, extensive masonry work, re-wiring and new drainage.

Conservation manager Brian Clark said at this stage, there was a lot of ‘set up’ on site prior to work beginnning.

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Listed as one of Britain’s 500 holiest places, St Botolph’s came under the wing of the Churches Conservation Trust in April last year.

Marketing officer Chana James said: “Although the church was open for visitors last summer, the building will now be closing for major repairs.

“These works are expected to last 10 months and cost around £380,000.”

The church, which gave its name to the village of Botolphs, just down river of Steyning and Bramber, is the 343rd building in the national charity’s estate.

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Built with local flint, the charming building dates back to Anglo-Saxon times. St Botolph is the patron saint of wayfarers and the church has received many visitors walking the South Downs Way, crossing the river nearby.

It includes fragments of highly-fragile wall-paintings depicting an abbot, saint and angel, dating back to 1240. These will receive careful cleaning by a conservator as part of the work.

Visit www.visitchurches.org.uk for more information on the work of the charity, which protects historic churches at risk.

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