Layers in Time: Spotlight on preserving our Hidden Gems

We are now approaching the end of our Annual Appeal: Layers of Time, Protecting our Painted Heritage. We have shared the stories of the conservation and fundraising challenges our communities and conservators have faced in protecting wall paintings in our churches and received a remarkable response from our donors. We have seen great successes, such as at St James’s Church in Cameley, where specialist craftspeople have made the building watertight to protect the wall paintings from the elements, while conservation work on the paintings themselves is ensuring they can be safeguarded and appreciated for many years to come. 

However, our annual appeal programme also gives us the opportunity to raise awareness of our equally as important churches, that no longer have a community around them to support and fundraise. A prime example being St Michael's Church in Michaelchurch, Herefordshire. Steeped in almost 1,000 years of history and said to have been founded by Bishop Herwald of Llandaff in 1056, this charming church hugs the side of the remote valley of Garren Brook.  

The interior walls are adorned with thirteenth-century wall paintings in the form of masonry lines, borders with chevron design and consecration crosses. Superimposed on these on the north and south walls are black letter inscriptions from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These wall paintings are of great national significance because of the extent of the surviving decoration, which also contains some unusual decorative elements. Unfortunately, these ancient wall paintings are fading as the church was built next to natural springs that cause a damp environment.   

Close monitoring and management are essential to ensure these significant wall paintings are not lost forever; regular condition reports, as well as regular checks from the expert eyes of the invaluable local volunteer are vital. CCT's Conservation Team commission specialists to carry out detailed surveys, forming the vital basis of a long term conservation report. In the case of St Michael’s Church, conservators from Perry Lithgow Partnership would work on site for a day, taking detailed photographs, which will be compare with those from the last survey, highlighting any changes. 

The wall paintings will be thoroughly inspected and an assessment made of the current interior environment and the condition of the exterior of the building, taking into account the findings of that last condition report, referencing any deterioration factors associated with climate change. The survey report will take two days to compile, and will include an outline description of the wall paintings, with a focus on an updated assessment of their current condition and possible reasons for any deterioration. Any areas of the wall paintings requiring remedial interventions or further investigations will be identified and prioritised, with detailed costings.  

Regular condition reports are an expensive, but essential part of protecting our precious churches. We need to raise £1,646.00 + VAT, making a total of £1,975.20, to cover the full cost of the next condition report for St Michael’s Church, and without a community to fundraise, we are appealing to you, our generous supporters, to help us.