War damage repairs
Cathedral Architect W. A. Forsyth reports on the repairs to the Cathedral and claims to the War Damage Commission. Featured in The Eighth Annual Report of the Friends of Rochester Cathedral, published May 1950.
Although the structural condition generally of Rochester Cathedral is good, it will readily be appreciated that an ancient building of this kind requires constant attention if a state of good repair is to be maintained.
The unique design of Rochester Cathedral features a large number of pinnacles, sited atop its clasping buttresses and towers. Pinnacles are located atop the clasping buttresses of the Nave Transept, the towers of the North Quire Transept and the towers and clasping buttresses of the Presbytery.
During recent months it has been necessary to repair dangerous and defective stonework on the North Transept Pinnacles.
Some of the most exposed architectural elements, many were replaced during the tenure of Sir George Gilbert Scott in the mid-nineteenth century. The pinnacles are designed to match the aesthetic of the architecture they adorn, distinct for each transept. The pair over the North Nave Transept are Scott-era replacements featuring shafts similiar to those of the clerestory exterior, also replaced by Scott at this time.
Further serious decay is visible in the stonework to the Eastern Pinnacles above the Sanctuary, and it has been decided that these shall be repaired at once as some of the stones are loose and becoming dangerous.
The pinnacles along the north side were replaced during the 1950s. These elements were all replaced during the reroofing works in the 1870s but many were already in need of repair or replacement by the middle of the twentieth century. The decay of the limestone material is exacerbated by acid rain and road traffic pollution.
The repair of all other badly decayed stonework is a matter which should be given serious consideration without long delay. Much work needs to be done to gables and copings and walls generally, especially on the South side. The cost of stone repairs of this nature involving much scaffolding proves expensive, but if such repair can be proceeded with as soon as is practicable it will save much heavier financial burdens in a few years to come.
Dean Crick with his son Thomas, the mason Mr A. James, and Head Verger Mr F. C. Bliss, examines the reconstructed north-east pinnacle.
The work of replacing the defective iron rain-water pipes with new ones in cast lead is proceeding. The old iron pipes are badly cracked and allow water to saturate the fabric and cause decay; they cannot satisfactorily be repaired.
There is much decayed plasterwork to the walls of the Nave Aisles and Clerestory, and its renewal would add greatly to the general condition of good repair which exists.
It is hoped that the permanent repair of all outstanding items of war damage can be proceeded with at an early date, and the necessary applications to the War Damage Commission and the Ministry of Works are therefore being made.
Reports and recommendations have already been submitted to the Dean and Chapter dealing with such problems as heating and the lighting of the Nave by electricity. 'The adequate warming of the Cathedral to ensure greater comfort to worshippers is a matter which should be given careful thought and consideration.
Any further work of restoration to the Ancient Cloisters would create great interest to visitors to this Ancient Cathedral.
W. A. Forsyth and Partners
Featured in The Eighth Annual Report of the Friends of Rochester Cathedral, published May 1950.
Garden spolia
The nineteenth-century stones replaced in the 1950s works along the north side of the Cathedral have since become scattered around King’s Orchard, reused in Garden features or rockeries.
Parts of the herb garden borders constructed in the 1980s from the Gilbert Scott-era stones.
Stones that were still loose around the gardens were gathered and catalogued in 2021 to establish their provenance and distinguish them from the Lapidarium collection of the finest medieval stonework.
Stones taken down when 80% of the pinnacle atop the north-west tower of the North Quire Transept was replaced.
All-bar-one stone of the two sculpted courses from the north buttress pinnacle of the Presbytery.
These nineteenth-century pinnacle fragments are now periodically prepared for sale to prevent their accumulation around the site. The Presbytery pinnacle replaced in 2018 is now a feature within Doddington Place Gardens:
South Presbytery Pinnacle Project
In 2018, £240,000 was raised to restore the pinnacle on the south side of the Presbytery, in danger of falling onto the Presbytery or the Chapter Library below.
The Friends of Rochester Cathedral were founded to help finance the maintenance of the fabric and grounds. The Friends’ annual reports have become a trove of articles on the fabric and history of the cathedral.
Explore the history and archaeology of the Priory of Saint Andrew and find out more about green heritage at the Cathedral.
Keeping the Cathedral standing, warm, lit, beautiful and ready to receive worshippers and visitors is a never-ending task.