A church community in Suffolk has received a £102,000 grant to restore the village church’s ‘spectacular’ historic mosaic.
The three-sided reredos mosaic at the Grade I-listed St Lawrence Church in Great Waldingfield will be painstakingly refurbished thanks to a grant fromThe National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It was crafted in 1869 using stones brought back from Italy, Egypt, Sudan and the Holy Land by Emily and Ann Louisa, the adventurous sisters of the then rector the Revd Baily. The sisters had travelled the Nile by boat, recorded as the “first ladies to make the journey up the Nile to the second cataract above Wady Haifa”, buying pieces of marble collected by river divers along with granite from Mount Sinai. The marble was then taken to Rome to be transformed into mosaic panels, before being installed at the church in Suffolk.
The Revd Faith Marsden, Rector at the church, said the mosaic has a special place in the community’s heart. “The mosaic came to the church back in 1869,” she said. “It’s spectacular. It’s amazing to think how far the stone from these mosaics has come and the fascinating history behind them. The community have really come together to work on this project, helping to apply for the funding and getting the church ready. They have been amazing, it has been incredible.”
The restoration work is being undertaken by specialist restoration studio Skillington’s Workshop in Grantham, with work expected to be completed by Christmas.
As part of the project, the church community is hosting a free heritage weekend on October 25 and 26, including a village history exhibition curated by the Great Waldingfield History Group, various talks and demonstrations alongside heritage craft activities.
The Revd Marsden added: “It’s such a beautiful church, once the mosaic has been restored and put back in place it will be fantastic. We’re all very excited to see the mosaic restored, back in the church and looking better than ever.”
Edmund Harris, Diocesan DAC Secretary said, "The need for action to save from decay one of the most remarkable pieces of Victorian art in any Suffolk church has been apparent for many years. Discussions began around the Millennium, but funding for such a costly project was a stumbling block. I’m delighted that the National Lottery Heritage Fund is able to support the conservation of the reredos produced by Emily and Ann Baily’s collaboration with William Butterfield, and would like extend my warmest thanks to the Revd Marsden, Dawn Judd and all of the restoration committee for the hard work that we know is required for every successful application. I look forward very much to seeing the finished result."
For information on grant funding please click here.