St Mary’s Church, Coxhoestmaryscoxhoe.co.uk/Coxhoe St Mary's Church Report Aug 2017.pdf · St...

St Mary’s Church, Coxhoe

Window Condition Report – East Window

Martin Johnson & Co (York) Ltd

August 2017

2 Martin Johnson & Co (York) Ltd August 2017

INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL COMMENTS

BRIEF

Scope of Report

The purpose of this inspection is to determine as fully as possible the condition of

the East window of Saint Mary’s Church, Coxhoe, and to make recommendations

for its conservation.

Investigation

The site was visited by Philip Barrand (Contracts Director, Martin Johnson & Co

(York) Ltd) on 15th June 2017 on a dry bright day. Access to the windows was by

ladders. The subsequent report was compiled by Philip Barrand.

Persons with responsibility for Works

Architect Chloe Granger

Crosby Granger Architects Ltd

The Factory, Castle Mills

Aynam Road

Kendal

Cumbria LA9 7DE

Tel: 01539 555300

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.crosbygrangerarchitects.co.uk

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.crosbygrangerarchitects.co.uk/


Persons with responsibility for windows

Priest in charge Rev. Alison Richardson

The Vicarage

8 Mulberry

Coxhoe

Durham DH6 4SN

Tel: 07873 596164

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.stmaryscoxhoe.co.uk

Church Wardens Mrs Shirley Davies

Tel: 07769 268405

Mrs Joyce Levy

07528 291861

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.stmaryscoxhoe.co.uk/


DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF THE BUILDING

The Parish of Coxhoe became a combined benefice with the parish of Kelloe in 1996.

The benefice is situated south east of Durham, in the Sedgefield Deanery, within the

Durham Diocese. Coxhoe was once a thriving mining area, - Coxhoe colliery was sunk

in 1827, and in the first half of the 19th century the population rose from around a

hundred to nearly four thousand. The mine finally closed in 1933, but Coxhoe remains a

popular dormitory town for Newcastle, Sunderland, Stockton and Darlington, all within a

30 minute drive, and the town also boasts an increasing amount of new light industry in

the area.

The church was designed by the architect Robert Jewell Withers (1823 – 1894), a

London architect who began his career in Sherborne, Dorset, and designed St James’

Church in Holland Park. He became a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects

in 1873.

Completed in 1868, St Mary’s Church is built in the Gothic style with an ornamental east

window. The building costs amounted to £2500. Local stone from the nearby village of

Cassop was used. A note from the original design states ‘The Incorporated Society for

Promoting the Enlargement, Building and Repairing of Churches and Chapels, granted

£125 towards Building this Church. The sittings are all free and unappropriated’

Signed by the architect RJ Withers, this drawing shows the original floor plan of the

building and the situation of the window which forms the subject of this report:


CVMA numbering system

The CVMA window numbering system is used to identify the main lights and tracery

lights, also the separate panels within lights. Panels and lights can be identified by the

respective plans.


East Window



DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF THE WINDOW

Situation and History of Window

The window is situated on the East wall of the church behind the altar. The architect’s

drawing of the church shows a five-light window opening, though it is not known what

was originally glazed into the window openings at the time of the church’s construction -

possibly simple quarry-glazed panels.

The East Window was paid for by public subscription, in honour of the men of Coxhoe

who fought and died in the First World War. The new window was dedicated by Bishop

Moule in 1920, some 50 years after the building of the church. The war memorial was

also dedicated at this time.

Window Composition – main lights


a light 530 x 2750mm

2 base panels plus trefoil head

6 no. internal support bars in all (including divisions)

1a 1240mm high, 3 no. support bars

2a 1200mm high, 3 no. support bars

3a 310mm high

b light 530 x 2750mm



1b 1240mm high, 3 no. support bars

2b 1200mm high, 3 no. support bars

3b 310mm high

c light 760 x 3045mm

2 base panels plus cinquefoil head


1c 1240mm high, 3 no. support bars

2c 1200mm high, 3 no. support bars

3c 605mm high

d light 550 x 2750mm



1d 1240mm high, 3 no. support bar

2d 1200mm high, 3 no. support bars

3d 310mm high

e light 535 x 2750mm



1e 1240mm high, 3 no. support bars

2e 1200mm high, 6 no. support bars

3e 310mm high


Window Composition – tracery lights

34 No. tracery lights (including eyelets):

Top

Tracery

H1 Central quatrefoil 397 X 397mm

E1,G1, G2, I1,

I2, J1, J2, K1

Lozenge ‘petals’ surrounding

centre

397 x 530mm

Left

Tracery

(from in)

C1 Central disc 310 x 310mm

A1, B1, B2, D1,

D2, F1

Part circular ‘petals’

surrounding centre

230 x 230mm

Right

Tracery

(from in)

C2 Central disc 310 x 310mm

A2, B3, B4, D3,

D4, F2

Part circular ‘petals’

surrounding centre

230 x 230mm


Window Content

Glass Painted and stained

Maker ‘Mr W.H. Bartlett of Mutrich’ (according to the North East War Memorials

Project)

Date Unveiled and dedicated 14th March 1920 by Bishop Moule, Bishop of

Durham

Subject

Main

lights

Memorial Window to those who died in the 1914-18 conflict – The Great

Sacrifice

a light Crucifix with wreath, St Mary banner, flowers and foliage

b light St George

c light The Great Sacrifice – a soldier at the feet of Christ crucified

d light St Cuthbert

e light Crucifix with wreath, Coxhoe banner, flowers and foliage

Base Inscription to c light:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

IN HONOUR OF THE MEN

OF COXHOE WHO FOUGHT

AND IN MEMORY OF

THOSE WHO FELL IN THE

GREAT WAR 1914 1919

Subject

Tracery

Top Tracery Paschal lamb surrounded with angels and rays

Two lower traceries Central cross, vine leaves surrounding


Material Content

Glass 2 – 3mm various tints and pot metals, painted and stained

Lead 6mm and 9mm round lead came

Bars 9mm square

ferrous,

painted (with

some paint on

glass):

Ferramenta a and e lights 1 no. stanchion, 6 no. saddle bars

c light 2 no. stanchions, 6 no. saddle bars:


b and d lights Stanchions have been

removed, though the

6 no. saddle bars

remain in place:

Ties 16swg copper wire

Cement Linseed oil based waterproofing compound

Pigment Traced line work, shading and silver stain, some enamel work

Pointing Sand:cement mortar mix, cement-rich

Protection Weld mesh guard, galvanised and

painted white:


a light - CONDITION

Glass 1a Sound

2a Fracture in red border

3a Sound

Lead Sound

Bars Rusting

Ferramenta Rusting

Ties Sound

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound

Pointing Failing in places

Protection Poorly fitting but functional,

rusting:


b light - CONDITION

Glass 1b 1 no. single fracture

1 no. single fracture to sword

2b Sound

3b Sound

Lead Sound

Bars Rusting:

Ferramenta Rusting

Ties Sound

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound


Protection Poorly fitting but functional,

rusting:


c light - CONDITION

Glass 1c 1 no. fracture below bar

2c 1 no. single crack in canopy

1 no. putty repair to fracture:

2 no. holes to knee / neck:

3c Sound

Lead Sound

Bars Rusting

Ferramenta Rusting

Ties Sound

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound


Protection Poorly fitting but functional, rusting


d light - CONDITION

Glass 1d Sound

2d Impact damaged area

measuring 320 x 270mm

(approx 10 no. damaged

pieces):

3d Sound

Lead Sound

Bars Rusting

Ferramenta Rusting

Ties Sound

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound

Pointing Failing on upper middle section

Protection Poorly fitting but functional, rusting


e light - CONDITION

Glass 1e 1 no. fracture at top :

2e 1 no. crack in clear border

2 no. in red border

3e

Lead Sound

Bars Rusting

Ferramenta Rusting

Ties Sound

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound


Protection Poorly fitting but functional


Tracery

Top tracery – H1, E1, G1, G2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K1

CONDITION

Glass Sound

Lead Slight

buckling in

centre panel

(H1)

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound

Pointing Failing

Protection Poorly fitting

but

functional

Left tracery light – C1, A1, B1, B2, D1, D2, F1

CONDITION

Glass Sound

Lead Sound

Cement Sound

Pigment Sound

Pointing Failing

Protection Poorly

fitting but

functional


Right tracery light – C2, A2, B3, B4, D3, D4, F2

CONDITION

Glass Sound. Top

of cross

replaced with

clear glass:

Lead Sound

Cement Sound

Pointing Failing

Protection Poorly fitting

though

functional


Further Observations

Some of the stonework

on the east window is

unstable. Rusting

interior bars have

caused the stone

mullions to splinter in

isolated areas:

There is also evidence

of flaking to the outer

stone surface of

interior mullions:

Some of the stonework

around the top tracery

has been built up in an

attempt to repair

cusps:

The cill at the base of

c light is splitting:


Summary of East Window

The glass within this window is in reasonable condition; even within b light where there is

an area of vandal damage. There is some concern that damage is being caused to the

stonework through rusting metalwork, and the perimeter mortar is flaking in certain areas,

most notably the tracery section and the upper part of 2d. The window would also

benefit from being professionally cleaned.

Although window guards are poorly shaped and fitted, they remain functional at present.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Remove middle panel of d light (d2) for partial re-lead and replacement of

damaged pieces (approx 10 no.)

Replace putty-repair piece with newly painted piece in c light

Pellet-holed pieces could be resin bonded in-situ, and then cold-painted in-situ. It

is recommended that these pieces are not removed so as to keep them intact.

Single hairline fractures can be left as they are, as they are stable.

All bars to be checked for damage to stonework. If damage has occurred,

remove mortar from tips of bars and re-point. At this time there should be no

necessity for the bars to be removed and replaced as there is no requirement to

remove the window for extensive conservation.

Rub down and paint internal bars (30 no.)

Rub down and paint external ferramenta

Clean window internally

Clean window externally (to include removal of window protection)

Re-mortar external perimeters when grilles are removed for cleaning


PROVISIONAL METHOD STATEMENT

A. Panels to be re-leaded

In-situ photographs, detailed sizes and templates will be taken

All panels will be labelled prior to being removed. Panels will

also be made secure to prevent collapse during the removal

process

Mortar will be removed from glazing groove utilising hand tools.

Panels will then be released from the internal support bars by

cutting free the copper ties. The bars will then be removed and

retained

Again using specialist hand tools, the panels will be removed

from their openings and transported back to the workshop

Openings will be sealed by securing ply boarding

Once in the workshop, detailed rubbings and dimensions will be

taken of all the panels prior to conservation

The panels will be dismantled and all original glass cleaned,

employing various cleaning techniques (see specific ‘Glass

Cleaning’ method statement)

The panels will then be reconstructed using came of appropriate

weight, size and profile as those originally used

The newly glazed panels will then be ‘cemented’, a process that

requires a linseed oil based compound to be either brushed

under the lead cames, thereby rendering the panels waterproof

and solid, or hand applied if unstable pigment is a concern

New 16 gauge copper fixing ties will be soldered to the panels at

appropriate points

The panels will be photographed prior to fixing and post-

conservation rubbings will be taken

Once transported back to site the panels will be fixed back into

the original glazing groove and fitted to the original refurbished

or new support bars using the copper fixing ties


The panels will then be pointed into the stonework using a lime

mortar, to be specified by the architect

The window will then be brushed down and cleaned

B. Glass Cleaning

a) Unpainted plain glazing – range of cleaning techniques available:

Metal scrapers to remove paint contamination for example

Glass fibre brushes to remove staining (from rusting bars for

example) and tenacious film and deposits

De-ionised water in conjunction with surfactants with plastic

bristled scrubbing brushes to remove less tenacious dirt

Small paint brush in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner to

remove loose deposits such as cobwebs

b) Well fired, stable painted and stained glass – range of cleaning

techniques available:

Metal scrapers to be used on the outside only to remove the

most adhered contamination


bristled scrubbing brushes to remove less tenacious dirt on

external face only

De-ionised water and swabs can be used on interior face of

glass

Glass fibre brushes to remove tenacious film and deposits

Small paint brush in conjunction with a vacuum cleaner to

remove loose deposits such as cobwebs

c) Poorly fired, unstable painted and stained glass. Each piece of glass

should be monitored individually to assess the vulnerability of the pigment

before any cleaning technique applied:

Metal scrapers to be used on the outside only to remove the

most adhered contamination

Glass fibre brushes to remove tenacious film and deposits on

the unpainted surface (usually exterior) only



bristled scrubbing brushes to remove less tenacious dirt on

external face only

De-ionised water swabbed over the inside painted surface is a

possibility, but only to be carried out after trials

C. Conservation / Restoration of Glass

a) Replacements

Replacements to be matched in colour or tint and texture. If

painted/stained piece, pigment colour and silver stain to be

applied in style and technique to match original

b) Pieces to be edge-bonded– each piece to be assessed prior to bonding

Using epoxy resin

Using silicone

c) Significant pieces where the pigment is missing, resulting in poor reading

of the design (such as faces, inscriptions etc)

The main outlines will be reproduced on a piece of 2mm glass,

following the residues of pigment left of the original piece

The plating glass will be kiln-formed to match the undulations

and form of the original glass

The plate will be bonded behind the original piece using silicone

d) Face leads

When a piece is fractured but stable it may cause more damage

to remove it from the lead came for edge-bonding. In such

cases it may be preferable to ensure it is secure and watertight

by applying small profile lead came over the fracture in-situ


D. Metalwork

a) Bars

Replace any badly decayed bars with new non-ferrous bars of

the same profile as original. Where panels are to be re-leaded

take opportunity to replace original ferrous bars with non-ferrous.

If original bars are causing rust damage to stonework, remove

bars, cut back all tips where built into masonry and braze on

new non-ferrous metal tips. Re-fix into stonework.

Where original ferrous bars are in reasonable condition take

opportunity to refurbish – clean with wire brush, paint with

undercoat and 2 No. top coats

b) Window Guards

Remove failing window protection

New window guards will be manufactured using grade 304

stainless steel welded wire mesh with aperture spacing of 75mm

x 12mm x 12swg running vertically. The mesh is bordered with

grade 304 6mm stainless steel round bar and finished in full

polyester black powder coating. All window guards are TIG

welded.

Re-fix new guards in position using full polyester black powder

coated stainless steel clips and blackened stainless steel screws.

E. Isothermal Glazing

Consideration can be given to the possibility of isothermally glazing windows

that have suffered substantial paint pigment loss, or where the pigment is at

present unstable:

The process of isothermal glazing involves shaping and fitting

manganese bronze channel round the border lead cames of each

main light and tracery. These frames are braced horizontally,

mimicking the positions of the original support bars. The bronze

channel is soldered together with corner backing plates on each angle.

Discreet brackets for fixing are riveted into the frames and ¾” lead


tape is soldered to the back face of each frame to prevent light

showing round the frame sides.

External protective glazing is created, taking the main design lines

from the stained glass to emulate a stained glass window from the

exterior, and modified to allow for parallax. These panels are glazed

with clear sheet glass, dulled down with a thin mist of weak pigment.

Each cut piece of glass is kiln fired to fix the pigment and distort the

surface of the glass in order to break up the smooth reflection from

the outside. The protective glazing panels are cemented on both

sides and then fitted within the glazing groove of the stonework

originally occupied by the stained glass. New non-ferrous support

bars are placed in a similar position to the original tie bars.

The frames enclosing the stained glass are fixed to the internal

stonework with care, using brass screws into plastic plugs, ensuring

that a gap existed both at the top and base of each light to allow

constant airflow around the panels. The lead flange is flattened back

to the stonework.

Diagram of cross section of stone mullion showing how isothermal and protective glazing

fit in relation to the stonework:


Clear Secondary Glazing

Approx 2” cavity Existing Stained

Glass Panel

Brass Section

Fixing Bracket and Lead Tape

External

Elevation

Internal

Elevation


Budget costings for recommended works to East Window, St Mary’s Coxhoe

Work Cost

Remove middle panel of d light (d2) for partial re-lead and

replacement of damaged pieces (approx 10 no.)

£1968.00 + VAT

Replace putty-repair piece with newly painted piece in c light £130.00 + VAT

Resin-bond pellet-holed pieces in-situ, then cold paint £165.00 + VAT

Check all bars for damage to stonework, remove mortar from tips

and re-point

£12.50

per bar

+ VAT

Rub down and paint internal bars (30 no.) £300.00 + VAT

Rub down and paint external ferramenta £420.00 + VAT

Clean window internally £462.00 + VAT

Clean window externally (to include removal of window

protection)

£512.00 + VAT

Re-mortar external perimeters when grilles are removed for

cleaning

£470.00 + VAT

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