St Colman’s, Dunmurry
A fire-devastated Grade B2 church restored with salvaged materials, specialist craftsmanship and new spaces for worship, music and community use.
Restore the church within a tightly controlled insurance budget.
A January 2016 fire, believed to have started in the organ loft, devastated St Colman’s internally and externally. Following an under-insurance dispute, the church accepted a cash settlement that had to be used carefully to recover the listed building.
Ian Maconachie was appointed as Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager and CDM Co-ordinator. The brief included restoration, a new rear balcony for the relocated organ and a commemorative Fire Chapel in the former organ loft.
Reconstruct a complex interior from damaged fabric and historic evidence.
The roof structure was destroyed, the sandstone arches damaged and the fittings heavily contaminated by soot. Original Westmorland Green slate was no longer available from its quarry, while the settlement demanded particularly disciplined choices about salvage, replication and new work.
Catalogue, salvage and rebuild with specialist input.
Every roof timber was labelled and assessed before replacement or reuse. Salvaged and second-hand slate was reinstated, soot removed using a peelable treatment and the floor rebuilt as an insulated concrete construction. Lime plaster, repaired stained glass and replicated ceiling panels restored the interior character.
Damaged chancel arches were stabilised with concealed steel reinforcement and dressed with new stone dentils. Listed Building Consent enabled a new joinery balcony, welcome area, organ position and Fire Chapel with specially designed stained glass.
Cost discipline and conservation delivery.
- Quantity Surveying
- Project Management
- CDM Co-ordination
- Insurance-budget management
- Listed Building Consent support
- Specialist restoration procurement
A restored landmark with new reasons to gather.
St Colman’s is once again a functioning church, now with flexible areas for concerts, exhibitions and smaller meetings. The new organ balcony and Fire Chapel add distinctive focal points while the renewed heating, lighting and envelope support everyday use.