Restoration: Church of St. Petroc, Bodmin, Cornwall

BODMIN - The work of restoration has at length begun at the parish church of St. Petrock, Bodmin, by the rebuilding of the west end of nave and aisles. The whole fabric is in a dilapidated state, and some £6,000 will have to be spent on it before it is completed. The vicar and churchwardens, by the terms of the faculty, can only proceed by degrees, as money is provided, and this comes in slowly. Mr. J. Nicholes, of Bodmin, is executing the work, under the superintendence of Mr. R. J. Withers, architect, of London. [Building News 25 June 1875 page 754]

RESTORATION OF PARISH CHURCH, BODMIN - This, the largest church in the county of Cornwall (150 feet by 63 feet), is being restored. The roofs and the whole of the west end, together the greater part of the north aisle have been taken down and rebuilt. Portions of the church are of twelfth century work, the rest being of the fifteenth century. The font is an interesting Norman one, and the old carved woodwork is some of it very beautiful. Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter, is doing the carved work in the restored portions. It is estimated that about £6,000 will be required to meet the expenditure, £3,000 of which has already been obtained.  [British Architect 11 January 1878 page 22]

BODMIN - The cathedral-like church of St. Petrock, Bodmin, was re-opened last week, by the Bishop of Truro, after having been completely restored at a total cost of about £6,000. The nave was restored at a cost of £3,000, and was re-opened in 1876; since which time, till now, the chancel has been closed and shut off by a temporary partition. All the works have been carried out under the supervision of Mr. R. J. Withers, of 11, Adam-street, Adelphi. Ali the external walls have been rebuilt with local stones, the pillars, window jambs, arches, mullions, tracery, are of De Lank granite; the mouldings, copings, and string courses being of Portland stone. A concrete bed has been laid under the floors. The aisles are paved with Staffordshire tiles; the chancel and sanctuary with encaustic tiles, while the flooring in the seated portion of the nave consists of White's burnetised wood blocks, laid diagonally. A new altar of cedar wood and carved oak stalls for the choir have been given as memorials of the late vicar. Chairs are substituted for the pews which formerly occupied the body of the church, giving accommodation for 900 persons. The windows, with the exception of two or three memorial windows, are filled with plain cathedral glass. A portion of the ancient oak roof of the south chancel aisle is preserved, the rest of that roof being fitted with oak to match, while the remainder of the church is roofed with pitch pine. The ancient font is fitted with a carved oak cover. The organ is being rebuilt by Messrs. Hele and Co., of Plymouth, at a cost of £500. The contracts for carrying out the restoration were entrusted to Mr. Searle, of St. Austell. Mr. W. H. Buscum, of Bodmin, has acted as clerk of the works. The gas fittings and brass altar rails were supplied by Mr. Willey, of Exeter; the carved font cover by Mr. Webber, of London, formerly of Bodmin. [Building News 2 January 1885 page 35]

Reference    Building News 25 June 1875 page 754
Reference    ICBS 07891 Reseating/Repairs, Grant Approved
Reference    British Architect 11 January 1878 page 22
Reference    Building News 2 January 1885 page 35