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Glazing and stained glass specialists from Leicester-based Norman & Underwood have helped to restore St Ethelburga's – the famous church in Bishopsgate ravaged by an IRA bomb nearly 10 years ago.
St Ethelburga’s, one of the City of London’s oldest and smallest churches, withstood both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz but was almost destroyed by the terrorist attack in April 1993.
It was initially feared that the damage was so severe that the church – founded in 1250 – would have to be pulled down.
However, following investigations by the church authorities, English Heritage, the City Corporation and the Museum of London Archaeology Service, it was decided to rebuild St Ethelburga’s using material such as stained glass and stonework from the original church.
Norman & Underwood’s Roofing & Stained Glass Division was selected to undertake part of the project because of its wide knowledge of antique coloured glasses and lead crafting.
It was commissioned to install the leaded light windows to the west facing front elevation and to carry out work on the large north window and to two smaller windows on the south aisle.
The Leicester company’s Glazing System’s Divison, which originally secured the restoration contract, also undertook glazing work to the church’s interior which
included erecting floor to ceiling glass screens to cordon off the nave from the rest of the church.
This has created a meeting room and office working areas for a new centre of peace and reconciliation which was unveiled by Prince Charles following the church’s re-consecration by the Bishop of London earlier this year.
Trainee surveyor Michelle DeBank said that St Ethelburga’s poignant history made this particular church restoration contract both interesting and rewarding.
She added: “There was great historical value for Norman & Underwood in working on such a high profile project.” |
