St John's Church, Bromsgrove - Spire Repairs
Client: Friends of St John's, Bromsgrove
Project: Spire repairs
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Status: Ongoing
St John's is the principal church of Bromsgrove and home to the tallest spire in Worcestershire. Cracks discovered in the stonework in 2017 revealed significant structural concerns, caused by the rusting and expansion of a 19th-century iron stabilising rod. Emergency works were carried out to temporarily secure the spire with external steel braces. However, permanent repair was essential to prevent further deterioration, ensure public safety, and return the building to full use.
Working closely with the PCC and Friends of St John's Bromsgrove, we developed a sensitive repair strategy that includes the careful dismantling and rebuilding of the spire’s upper 2.25m, removing ironwork, conserving original masonry, and introducing hand-tooled stone replacements set in lime mortar
Client: Friends of St John's, Bromsgrove
Project: Spire repairs
Location: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Status: Ongoing
St John's is the principal church of Bromsgrove and home to the tallest spire in Worcestershire. Cracks discovered in the stonework in 2017 revealed significant structural concerns, caused by the rusting and expansion of a 19th-century iron stabilising rod. Emergency works were carried out to temporarily secure the spire with external steel braces. However, permanent repair was essential to prevent further deterioration, ensure public safety, and return the building to full use.
Working closely with the PCC and Friends of St John's Bromsgrove, we developed a sensitive repair strategy that includes the careful dismantling and rebuilding of the spire’s upper 2.25m, removing ironwork, conserving original masonry, and introducing hand-tooled stone replacements set in lime mortar
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Alongside the building work, an ambitious programme of public engagement and heritage learning is underway. ‘Side by Side’ days allow the public to work with the stonemason team on site, promoting traditional craft skills and deepening understanding of historic fabric. New interpretation is being developed for the church interior and surrounding churchyard, including digital and accessible formats. The project team are working closely with schools, volunteers and local heritage groups to ensure wide participation and long-term legacy.
The spire repair project at St John’s represents a successful blend of urgent conservation need, high public interest, and strong partnership funding. The Grade I listed building remains central to the community, and the project ensures its continued presence on the Bromsgrove skyline for generations to come.
The spire repair project at St John’s represents a successful blend of urgent conservation need, high public interest, and strong partnership funding. The Grade I listed building remains central to the community, and the project ensures its continued presence on the Bromsgrove skyline for generations to come.
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The project involves dismantling and rebuilding the top 2.25m of the spire, removing the defective metal fixings, and reconstructing the section using traditional lime-based mortars and matching stone. Scaffold access to the full height of the 60m tower allows inspection and minor repair of adjacent masonry while on site. The church bells, currently restricted due to structural safety will be reinstated to full use once works are complete.
Conservation-led repair is at the heart of the project. The intervention is as limited as possible, retaining historic fabric wherever safe and feasible. Reversible emergency works are being removed with minimal impact, and all replacement stone is being locally sourced and tooled by hand. The redundant spire section will be reconstructed at ground level in the churchyard, providing a permanent interpretive feature and reducing waste.
Conservation-led repair is at the heart of the project. The intervention is as limited as possible, retaining historic fabric wherever safe and feasible. Reversible emergency works are being removed with minimal impact, and all replacement stone is being locally sourced and tooled by hand. The redundant spire section will be reconstructed at ground level in the churchyard, providing a permanent interpretive feature and reducing waste.