A major restoration effort at Newark Parish Church, known as St. Mary Magdalene, has earned regional recognition after a £4 million project focused on stabilizing the building and keeping water out.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) presented its annual regional awards in Nottingham, highlighting building projects across the East Midlands. The church’s “Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene” project was named Project of the Year and also won in the heritage project category.
The project team set out to protect the 900-year-old, Grade I listed church for future generations. A key milestone came when the building was removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register at the start of this year. The work addressed crumbling masonry and extensive water ingress linked to roof problems, with repairs carried out in a way that respected the historic fabric.
Along with repairs to roofs, masonry, and guttering, the project included internal work to ceilings, walls, floors, and joinery. The team also added upgrades aimed at long-term use, including solar panels, a new heating system, and modern additions such as flexible meeting space and a cafe area.
For mason contractors and restoration crews, the story is a clear reminder that heritage masonry performance starts with moisture control. This project put roof and rainwater goods in the same conversation as wall repairs, which helps stop repeat damage. It also reinforces the value of a coordinated professional team on listed buildings, where sequencing, access, and sympathetic repairs drive both the final look and the long-term durability.
Church warden Andrew Fearn said the double win was unexpected, and he pointed to the importance of taking the church off the at-risk register while also creating new community spaces. UK National Awards chairman Kerry Gibbs said the awards highlight people, projects, and innovations shaping the built and natural environment, and he noted more than 300 entries across RICS regions this year.
Regional winners will go on to represent their area at the UK grand final on Oct. 22.
Read the full, original article from Newark Advertiser here.