Report on St Thomas Restoration Project

Report on St Thomas Restoration Project

During the period 2002 - 2006, a program of restoration has been carried out on St. Thomas’ Anglican Church. This work has been conducted under a plan of restoration works specified by Suters Architects Pty Ltd., originally in 1999 and subsequently revised and updated.

Under direction of the Heritage Architect, Mr. Ed Clode, priority was given to securing the integrity of the main building. This required urgent attention to the condition of the tower. A lead capping was introduced to cover the splayed header capping to the corbelled courses external to the castellation elements of the tower to protect scotia header corbel bricks below from further damage. Colour matched render repairs to faces and edges were made to the splayed header capping. In a similar way, render repairs were made to the scotia header course. In a few cases it was necessary to make up new bricks using custom mix, to match original colour and composition using a mould of the original brick course. In the same way, render repairs were also made to the header and bull nose headers. A new lightning protection apparatus was also installed.

The brick surrounds of the clock settings showed substantial erosion. A render dressing matched in colour was applied and the detail of the original tuck pointing was preserved when identifying the jointing. The timber framing round the clocks was repaired and made waterproof.

With the intention of stabilising the moisture content of the building and the surrounding area, the following steps were taken: The cement rendering to window height was removed; The cedar wainscoting was removed internally. A damp-proof course was installed after treating the walls internally and externally to remove salts. A root barrier around the church was established to prevent trees from extracting moisture from the ground adjacent to the church building, and hence maintain equilibrium moisture content

After a suitable period it was determined that the earth in the precinct of the building had stabilised. It was then deemed to be appropriate to proceed with further structural strengthening. The specified solution was to reinforce the corners of the building where movement had taken place over the life of the structure, evidenced by cracks visible between the window arches and the top of the building. The technique adopted here was to insert proprietary SS reinforcement anchors in each corner by drilling into brickwork and subsequently injecting a compound which surrounds the SS rod and secures it in position.

On the North and East walls, a programme of outer brick removal was undertaken with replacement of defective bricks from stockpile bricks collected from various sources. Incompatible cement mortar and render, previously used for repairs, was removed. A specially produced lime-based mortar was used as before. Existing joints were re-pointed with the specified mortar. The lower courses up to just above the installed damp course were rendered with a permeable lime-based mortar. The window arches were rendered in coloured mortar and pointed up with white compound , to reflect the detail of the original specially shaped bricks.


The North entrance door had been seriously damaged in two break-ins early in 2005; and the surrounding brickwork was in poor condition. Restoration involved complete removal of surrounding brickwork and removal of the two side posts. One of these posts was judged to be deteriorated to such an extent that it could not be saved, and was replaced by a post of similar timber to the original. The second post was partially salvaged by splicing it with new timber. A damp proof flashing was installed behind and underneath the timber posts where they are in contact with the brickwork; this was not in place in the original construction. A completely new door was constructed by a local firm in a manner sympathetic to the original in construction and appearance, giving consideration to the need for adequate security. A cross bar was installed on the inside as there was evidence that this existed in the “original” door set up. Every effort has been made to have the new door reflect the original concept.

The West wall was left partially unfinished in the first stage of restoration; All unstable brickwork and unfinished joints, was restored; the opportunity was taken to arrange a row of original bricks bearing convict markings along the front face underneath the doorstep. The West door was repaired and repainted in approved colour.

In this restoration project every endeavour has been made to observe the requirements of the Burra Charter. Each stage was fully specified by the Heritage Architect and Engineering Consultant.

Parties involved

Owner: The Corporate Trustees of The Diocese of Grafton
Specification and design: Suters Architects. Newcastle - Ed Clode
Engineering: Bill Jordan & Associates - Bill Jordan
Mortar and compound Consultant/Supplier: Barry Cooper
Honorary Consultant: Kuhn Management: Peter Kuhn
Planning and operations: Heritage Support : Tim Evans Stage 2.
Door reproduction: Francis Furniture