Historic Chester church restored after huge blaze

Published date: 07 January 2013 |
Published by: Jim Green
Read more articles by Jim Green

 

A HISTORIC church in Chester badly damaged in a major blaze has been painstakingly restored to its former glory.

St Francis’ Church in Grosvenor Street, Chester, was hit by fire in August with firefighters battling for four hours to save the Grade II listed church.

Friars living next door in the rectory raised the alarm and were evacuated as crews attempted to stop the blaze spreading.

The fire destroyed the parish hall to the rear of the 19th century church and firefighters ripped out part of the roof to prevent the flames spreading, however parts of the nave suffered smoke damage.

But Chester-based architects Cassidy and Ashton have spent the past three months overseeing the meticulous restoration of the ornate church.

Lead architect Michael Hartley said the firm worked with contractors S. A. Platt to breathe new life into the church.

He said: “I do quite a lot of work with churches and I am a professional advisor to the Historic Churches Committee.

“In October, I was asked to prepare a new colour scheme for the church and we got approval from the Historic Churches Committee.

“There was a lot of smoke damage and all that had to be put right. We wanted to bring the church back to a more sensible style. We decorated the church and picked out certain splays in white, highlighted some features and arches in blue and some of the statues in gold.

“I hope we have brought the church back to its original self and breathed new life into it.

“I met Brother Jarek before Christmas and I think he is well pleased with the outcome.”
Construction of the red sandstone church began in 1862 and was completed in 1875. It was built for the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

The blaze is believed to have been started when incense stones used in evening mass were put in a bin and caught fire.

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