The Reredos

After more than 175 years, the reredos was showing increasingly serious signs of deterioration. Moisture and condensation from the east window had affected the stonework and painted panels, while dust, candle deposits and generations of surface dirt had obscured its appearance.

Of particular concern were the iron fixings hidden within the structure. As these corroded they expanded, placing pressure on the surrounding stone and causing cracking, movement and localised damage. Without intervention, there was a risk of continuing deterioration to an important feature of the Grade II* listed church.

Following specialist investigation and the development of a conservation programme, St Peter's embarked on a major project to safeguard the reredos in 2025. Specialist conservators were engaged to undertake the work in the church.

The project involved much more than surface cleaning. Parts of the reredos were carefully dismantled so that the structure and concealed fixings could be examined and treated. Corroded ironwork was removed and replaced with appropriate stainless-steel fixings; damaged Caen stone was repaired; lost areas of carved ornament were carefully recreated; and the painted and gilded panels were cleaned and conserved.

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Each intervention was undertaken with the aim of retaining as much original material as possible, rather than making the reredos look new. Once the conservation work was complete, the dismantled elements were carefully reassembled.

The project has stabilised the structure, revealed details of its craftsmanship that had become obscured over generations and transformed our understanding of this remarkable Victorian feature. Most importantly, it has secured the reredos so that it can remain at the heart of St Peter's for generations to come.

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Watch the Restoration

Follow the 2025 conservation project as specialist conservators dismantle, examine, repair and reassemble the reredos, revealing the craftsmanship hidden within this remarkable Victorian structure.

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