Church Projects:  

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral - Major refurbishment including the replacement of interlacing supportive framework

Alderley Edge Parish Church of St. Philip - Removal of Cross Finials

METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL  

The Roman Catholic ‘Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King’ in Liverpool was constructed between 1962 and 1967 to an original design by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, later modified by Frederick Gibberd.

Our Brief

As part of a major refurbishment of the Cathedral, the brief was to plan and implement effective refurbishment tasks including:

• Paint the 16 pinnacles
• Replace the interlacing framework between these pinnacles
• Install a new lightning conductor roof network

The Delta Difference

Access to the roof of the cathedral, which is approximately 70m above ground level, can be gained from inside the building, but the pinnacles of the ‘Crown of Thorns’ rises a further 20m above the roof and are in a very exposed position.

Delta, who are specialists at working at height, were required during the major refurbishment of the cathedral, to paint the pinnacles and replaced the interlacing framework located between each of them. This awkward and highly visible project was completed without any disruption to the main contractors, the public below or the smooth running of the cathedral.

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PARISH CHURCH

The Parish Church of St Philip, Alderley Edge, Cheshire has a 50m high stone spire which was built in 1853.

The Brief

The brief here was to carry out a detailed inspection of the aging spire both externally and internally. On completion of the inspection the weathercock and cross-finials were to be removed from the top and lowered to ground level for refurbishment.

The Delta Difference

This project required the use of traditional high level methods of access to reach the tapering stone spire. This ensured that the restoration work could be carried out safely.

Internally, the spire has an iron holding down rod and a mobile phone antenna attached. This is embedded in the solid stonework of the upper section of the spire and it is tied to timber beams 10m below the summit. These beams had corroded and were replaced by Delta International with a new stainless steel channel. This was done to provide a sound structure, so that the holding down rod could be tensioned correctly. We also replaced a number of stone pillars.

The weathercock was re-gilded and then new stainless steel cross-finials were lifted into position prior to the weathercock being refitted.

The client management on site was co-ordinated by the Church Council architect. The architect’s role here was to ensure that all of Delta International’s remedial works were carried out correctly and sympathetically.

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