Urgent stone masonry repairs are underway at St. Mary’s in Allithwaite, South Cumbria, after the church secured a £12,854 grant from the National Churches Trust to address serious safety concerns in its spire.
The church fenced off its graveyard after masonry began falling from the spire. The church said corroded iron ties inside the spire had expanded, cracking the surrounding stonework and causing pieces to break loose. In some areas, the church said there was no mortar between the stones, and the spire was at risk of collapse.
The repair plan calls for removing the failing iron and replacing it with stainless steel. Crews will also rebuild the surrounding stonework where cracking and displacement have occurred. For historic structures, that kind of targeted intervention can be the difference between a manageable repair and a full-scale rebuild after a failure.
St. Mary’s was built in 1864, funded by a legacy from local landowner Mary Lambert. It was designed in a Gothic Revival style by Lancaster architect E.G. Paley. Beyond its architectural value, the church is used six days a week for community activities, including a warm space, a community lunch, a singing group, dementia-friendly exercise classes, and a parent and toddler group.
For mason contractors and restoration teams, the failure described at St. Mary’s is a clear reminder that hidden metal elements embedded in masonry can create major problems as they age. When ferrous components corrode, they can expand and push outward on stonework, opening cracks, loosening units, and turning a spire into a public safety hazard. Early investigation, clear safety perimeters, and well-scoped repairs help keep people safe while preserving historic masonry.
Read the full, original article from cumbriacrack.com here.