Restoration and Conservation

A failed repair

As a geologist, whose professional work occasionally drifts into archaeology, an investigation of the stonework at St. Helen’s church has provided me with a good insight into the difficulties of assigning a date to this and many others that have a Saxon origin.

A fading memorial

Using the various published sources of information available to me - and my own observations - I now have a much better understanding of the various architectural styles that have been used from the 12th to the 21st century.

Severe cavernous decay

Looking at the overall condition of St. Helen’s church from the exterior, despite being undermined by Treeton’s own colliery and its fabric being subjected to the very dirty and sulphurous emissions from the Orgreave Coking Plant – both of which have now been landscaped and covered in houses – it has stood the test of time very well.

A detail of the porch

Although a close inspection of the tower is necessary before any further conclusions can be made, the scientific reasoning behind the choice of similar dolomitic limestone to build the English Houses of Parliament – based on its resistance to acid attack – appears to be borne out here.

Used in the plinth course, windows and doors, the limestone has been weathered and eroded away to varying degrees, exposing some of the natural characteristics of this particular stone - which make it completely unsuitable for carving in the Perpendicular Gothic style.

Vents, shakes and hard concretion like structures can also be seen.

Forming the highest point in the old village, with the prevailing south-westerly wind and rain eroding the Rotherham Red sandstone away, the micro-climate of Treeton has also further contributed to the degradation of its fabric - as seen all around the church.

Various materials used for restoration and conservation