THE much-anticipated restoration work to the spire at Bromsgrove’s St John’s Church has been completed after a massive community effort.
The works, made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, were aimed at preserving the heritage and architectural grandeur of this historic landmark for generations to come.
On Tuesday, October 28, a short service, conducted by Licenced Lay Minister Mrs Hilda Roxborough, was held in the churchyard.
The service was held on the west side of the church, with the scaffolding-clad tower and spire looming over.
Mrs Roxborough talked of the long journey to reach this significant moment and acknowledged the team and supporters who helped raise the cash needed to undertake the work.
And the lay minister asked God to bless the newly gilded weathervane cockerel and asked that it be a beacon for those who see it.
Following the service, father and son contractors Mike and Ben Curry took the golden cockerel weather vane to the top of the spire and secured it to the newly carved spire top.
Extensive repairs to the spire top began in February, with 2.5m of the structure being taken down and rebuilt with new stonework.
The encased iron vane rod with stainless steel was also replaced.
In 2017, cracks appeared in the stonework at the top due to rusting and expansion of the iron rod that runs through it.
It had been there since the 1850s, when the Victorians carried out repairs to the building.
Church members quickly identified that the need for the restoration was urgent, as it was deemed a safety concern and because the church bells couldn’t be rung until the work had been completed.
Last year, the Friends of St John’s team raised an impressive £386,000 in pledged grants and donations from local and national sources. This included a generous £249,975 grant from the NLHF, thanks to National Lottery players.
This kick-started applications to other grant-making organisations.
Other grants came from Bromsgrove Rotary, Bromsgrove Society, Bromsgrove Court Leet, and Bromsgrove Institute Trust.
Organised events and donations from members of the community boosted the coffers and, at the end of the year, the National Churches Trust and the Wolfson Foundation confirmed support for the project to restore the Grade I listed building.
