Projects
The roof
In 2017 we replaced the roof. This was a major project which was supported by the Wick community and friends from further afield.
Our thanks to
and to everyone who supported the roof project!
Making the building safe
Some of the people using the church have had a problem with the chancel steps. At the beginning of 2020 we arranged for Paul Dennis from Brecon to install wrought iron handrails
There used to be a trip hazard in the vicinity of the font. To avoid any further accidents, we arranged for the base of the font to be lowered so that it is flush with the surrounding floor.
We are grateful to the Friends of St James' Church for funding both these safety improvements.
Tackling the damp
There were patches of damp which we tackled by repointing some of the walls, starting with the chancel.
We have also moved the altar away from the wall. Apart from enabling us to deal with the damp, this has also uncovered a memorial previously obscured beneath the altar and allows for the celebrant at the Eucharist to adopt a westward-facing position, looking towards the congregation.
There was also a problem with the tower, where there was a large crack. This was assessed by a structural engineer and has now been repaired in keeping with his recommendations.
More problems with the tower
A test of the lightning conductor (as required by our insurers) found that it was faulty. In doing the repairs, it emerged that there were other problems with the tower roof - the coping stones neeeded repointing and the weathervane was seriously corroded. When checking inside, the supports for the bell were also corroded, making it dangerous to use.
We decided that we needed to deal with these problems while the scaffolding was in place.
All this work has now been completed.
Installing a toilet
Once we have dealt with the immediate issues, we need to install a toilet and refershment point to ensure that the building meets the needs of the community for years to come.
Permissions
St James' Church is a Grade II* listed building and we need formal permission for any major works. The Chancellor of the Diocese of Llandaff has issued Grants of Faculty for
- repointing of the walls
- repairs to the tower.
- lowering the plinth beneath the font.
- repairing stonework around a chancel window
- repositioning the altar
We also have also received the Diocesan Registrar's Determination for work on the roof of the tower.
The notices and supporting documents are here.
We are in discussions about how best to install a toilet.
Paying for the work
This work has been necessary to maintain the building in good order and to serve the needs of the community, but it has been expensive. The work on the tower and the chancel walls alone has cost over £30,000. The unexpected problems with the tower roof added some £8,000 to the bill.
We have received £10,000 from the Vale of Glamorgan Council. This is from the funds provided by David Wilson Homes in respect of the development of St James' Gardens which are to be used for projects to benefit the community.
This work is also being supported by grants from the Welsh Church Act Fund, the Representative Body of the Church in Wales, Allchurches Trust and the James Pantyfedwen Foundation, totalling £11,000. The rest of the money we need to find for ourselves. We have some funds set aside for this but not enought to cover the full cost, so we still need to raise the balance.
If you are able to support this work, please make a donation here or contact us about how you can help.
