From the archive: All Saints Church, Sutton on Trent

For Explore Your Archives week we’re celebrating stories from our past. All Saints Church is Grade I listed and the West tower, which was repaired by SPAB architect William Weir, dates to the 13th century.

“medieval architecture does not depend upon mere design for its value, but, like all works of art, upon the workmanship as well...”

The church in more recent times. Credit:  CC SA 2.0 /Richard Croft

In 1901 the Vicar of All Saints Church, Sutton on Trent had been advised that it would be cheaper to rebuild the tower at £2,000 rather than repair it, and launched an appeal for funds. The SPAB wrote to the Vicar asking him to reconsider the decision. Their letter explained that “its experience in recent years has led it to the conclusion that it is hardly ever necessary to pull a tower down and rebuilt it, for we have repaired towers which were in a very bad state indeed” and that “medieval architecture does not depend upon mere design for its value, but, like all works of art, upon the workmanship as well, and in our opinion a medieval building which is pulled down and rebuilt is of but small historical and artistic value.”  

Contemporary photo showing damage to the tower. Credit: SPAB Archive

SPAB architect William Weir duly visited and concluded: “The condition of the Tower generally is not so serious as its outward appearance would indicate. The thickness of the walls and their sound condition inside as well as being upright, greatly diminishes any fear of their suddenly giving way, and increases the possibility of the tower being most satisfactorily repaired.”  He detailed the repairs required and stated that it should not cost more than £700.

It was agreed that the tower be repaired under the supervision of William Weir in consultation with the SPAB. Work began in September 1902 and was completed by June 1903.

Before and after repairs. Credit: SPAB archive.

In the annual report for 1903 the SPAB Committee states that it “considers this to be one of the Society’s most successful works of repair” and that “it should be remembered that more than one Architect had condemned the tower to destruction.”  It puts the success of the repair down to the architect, William Weir, being on site daily to deal with each issue as it arose.

The clock tower under repair. Credit: SPAB archive

The SPAB archive is one of the oldest collections of material wholly dedicated to buildings conservation.  Read more about our archive and search the online catalogue.