The Church of St Bartholomew, Lower Sapey, is now owned by the Churches Conservation Trust, but prior to their ownership it had been allowed to fall into a sad state of disrepair.The specification required a sympathetic restoration programme, the result of which was to make it appear as though we had never been on the site!

Externally, structural pinning work was required to hold the four corners of the Nave together and in a stable state, despite previous attempts using steel straps. Repairs to the window tracery were also needed.

Replacement leaded lights were supplied and fitted, the remains of the originals having been examined carefully in order to recreate the lead came design as accurately as possible.The roof tiles were stripped, the rotten battens replaced with new split oak lath, and the tiles were then reused on the main slopes.The North face of the Chancel was re-roofed with new handmade tiles.

The vaulted ceiling inside was in a precarious state and traditional techniques were used to hold the existing lath and plaster in place.The missing areas were replaced with new oak lath and lime plaster. The gallery at the west end was re-instated, complete with its narrow staircase. External plaster consolidation was carried out and the replacement of missing lime render on two of the elevations completed the external works. Minor repairs to the timber framed porch gave the final touch to the works on this picturesque church.